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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

B ecca’s breath came hard in her lungs and she lunged up the steps and raced to her room. They were all hateful. Sitting there at the table discussing her lineage as though they were merely talking about the best type of tea to buy.

Becca wanted her mother. Suddenly everything she thought she knew about her life was like looking into murky water. Familiar landmarks were rendered strange and unfamiliar.

Who was she—really? When her grandmother had first mentioned the rumor, Becca had refused to even look at the facts. Now they had been forced on her. She peered at her face in the oval mirror above the dresser.

The features she’d seen all her life looked strange. She had never looked like her siblings. Both Jake and Wynne had brown eyes, hers were blue. Their hair was black as a raven’s wing while her own shone with more gold and red than brown. She was six feet tall, and Wynne was only five three. Her limbs were long and gangly while even Jake, tall as he was, had a bulky build like their father.

His father, maybe not hers. Becca couldn’t bear to think it might be true. She’d idolized her father. And would he treat her like his own if he’d suspected she belonged to his brother?

She cast her mind back to try to remember her uncle. Her memories were dim, but she thought he’d been quite tall with the same long, thin build she had herself. But did that prove anything? It wasn’t uncommon for a niece of nephew to resemble an aunt or uncle.

A tap on the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.

“Becca, can I come in?” Shayna’s voice sounded anxious.

“Come in,” Becca called.

The door opened and Shayna peeked in. “Are you all right? You ran off in such a hurry. No one meant to upset you.”

“How can you think I wouldn’t be upset to discover I might not be Becca Baxter?”

“You’d still be a Baxter.”

“That’s small comfort.” Becca could feel all safety she’d thought she had in her life dissipating like a sinking swirl of seaweed. A rising panic squeezed her chest. Would her brother and sister still love her if the truth was something none of them were prepared to face?

“You look ready to run,” Shayna remarked. She patted Becca on the shoulder. “This changes nothing.”

“You’re not the one living it,” Becca retorted.

“True. But we all have things in our lives we have to live with.” Shayna’s lips had a bitter twist, and Becca wondered what secrets hid behind the smooth beauty of Shayna’s face.

Shayne was staring at her with a strange expression on her face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just wondering if you were right about your parents’ deaths. If someone really did kill them, then you would be even more a target if your father was your Uncle Will. You’d be the only child of the oldest heir. Gram might think you should have the lion’s share of the estate.”

“I don’t want any of it,” Becca said. “Everyone seems to think this is about Gram’s money, and I’m not here for that. I have a nice life on the mainland. I’m eager to get back to my friends and my school.”

“I thought you were out of school.”

“I am, but I’m enrolled for the doctorate program next fall.” At school she felt safe. She knew what was expected of her, and the ivy-covered brick buildings gave her stability. All this uncertainty made her feel she was treading water over an unfathomably deep hole. She wanted to go back to paddling in the kiddy pool.

Shayna echoed Becca’s own thoughts. “Maybe you should think about heading back to the mainland. I like you, Becca. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Becca shook her head. “You have no idea how much I want to do just that. But I’m going to find out what happened to my parents.”

Shayna pressed her lips together. “Even if your father isn’t really your father?”

“He still loved me and cared for me just like he did Jake and Wynne. I loved him and I owe it to my parents to find out the truth.”

“Okay. I’ll help you if I can.”

“You will?” Becca searched Shayna’s face. She needed an ally, and the other woman’s offer was like a life raft in the middle of a nor’easter.

Shayna nodded. “Why not? It will liven up the boredom around here. How can I help?”

“Sit down.” Becca indicated the rocker by the window as she settled herself on the edge of the bed. “Who had the most to gain from getting rid of my parents?”

Shayna pursed her lips. “None of us were too excited to think about splitting the money another way. But we all knew we’d get our share eventually. I still think you’re not looking at it clearly. It really was an accident, Becca. I was here. I saw how upset everyone was when they died.”

“None of you came to the funeral.” That fact had bothered Becca more than she admitted. Not even Gram had come, and Becca resented that fact.

“Gram had a heart attack. She almost died, though she won’t admit it. She just says she swooned.” Shayna gave a wry grin. “She can put blinders on like no one else I know.”

“I hadn’t realized that’s when it happened.” The burden lifted a bit from Becca’s shoulders. “I thought no one cared enough to make the trip.”

“We were all hovered around Gram.”

Becca said nothing though the thought that they’d all gathered like vultures waiting for Gram to die made her shudder.

“Max and Tate were going to go then Gram took another turn for the worse and they canceled their reservations.” Shayna got up from the chair. “Speaking of Tate, he wants to go to town to a party and I said I’d go with him.”

“When are you going to leave him?”

“Who said anything about leaving?”

“You said you were in love with Max.”

Shayna laughed. “But he’s penniless. He’s a fun diversion. I’ll never leave Tate, at least not while Gram’s still alive. Once she’s gone and Tate has enough money that my half will let me live in the style I want, I might consider it.”

Becca’s burgeoning warm feelings for Shayna dissipated. “I see,” she said stiffly.

“Don’t go all high and mighty on me now,” Shayna said, lifting her elegant shoulders in a shrug. “What else is there in life but to snatch the happiness we can while we can? I won’t be young and beautiful forever. I need to think of the future.”

“And what about eternity? You’re planning for when men aren’t chasing you anymore, but what about after you’re dead?”

Shayna held out her palm to ward off Becca’s words. “Don’t start preaching now, Becca. If God loves me like you say, he would want me to be happy.”

“No, he wants you to be holy,” Becca said. “This life is a training ground for the life that lasts forever. Happiness is nice, but contentment in God is eternal.”

Shayna blinked and she almost seemed to be listening. Then she shook her head. “Save it for someone else who will swallow that pap.” She walked to the door. “See you at breakfast.”

Becca wanted to say something to get through to her, but she knew it was useless. Only God could do the wooing. All she could do was try to live in such a way as to make others thirsty for the Living Water.

She washed her face and put a touch of makeup on to cover the redness around her eyes. She wasn’t going to skulk in her room all evening. She was supposed to go to the movies with Nick tonight, and the thought of putting all this away for a few hours appealed to her. She pulled out her favorite dress, a red silk that ended just below the knee and skimmed her figure. The neckline was demure, but the color brightened her mood.

Nick was watching a ballgame when she stepped into the living room. His face brightened when he saw her. “I was about to come looking for you,” he said. “I approve of the red dress.” His gaze wandered over her figure then back to her face.

Her face burned. She should have chosen something less eye-catching. The last thing she wanted was to have to ward off Nick’s attentions all evening. “Thanks,” she said. “I should probably grab a sweater.”

“Use Gram’s mohair wrap. Shayna loves it.” He went to the closet and pulled out a silver mohair shawl and dropped it over her shoulders.

Becca stroked it. “It feels like a kitten.”

“It’s yours,” Gram said from the doorway. Her face was bright as she advanced into the room.

“Oh no, I couldn’t take it. It likely cost the earth,” Becca said.

“I never wear it. Shayna wears it more than I ever did.”

“Then you should give it to her.” Becca started to pull it from her shoulders and hand it to her grandmother, but Gram put a firm hand over hers.

“No, I insist, Becca. I want you to keep it. It’s nothing. You’ll be inheriting much more than a silly wrap anyway,” she said.

“I don’t want your money, Gram,” she said.

“Perhaps not, but you have no choice. You will be my primary heir, Becca. My mind is made up.”

Gram thrust her chin out in a way Becca was already coming to recognize. “Please don’t do that, Gram,” Becca pleaded. Everyone already thought she’d come here to sway her grandmother into doing this very thing. Max would be certain she was a gold digger.

“It’s my money, and I can do what I want with it. I want you to have it. You’ve got a level head on your shoulders, Becca. I know you won’t waste it or squander it. And you’re a Christian. My decision is final.” Gram patted Becca’s arm. “Don’t fret. You and Nick go out and have a good time. My lawyer should be here any minute.” She glanced at her watch.

Becca realized there was no way she was going to talk her grandmother out of her chosen course of action. There was no law that said she had to take the money if it came to her. She could always make sure it got split up evenly. “All right, Gram. I’ll see you later.”

“Wow,” Nick said when they were out of earshot. “You got through to the old lady really fast.”

“I didn’t want to get through to her, as you call it. I don’t want her money.”

“Maybe not, but you’re getting it all the same. Think of the things you can do, the places you can go with that kind of money.”

Becca could see Nick mentally rubbing his hands together. She pressed her lips together. “I’ll just split it with the rest of them.”

His eyes widened. “You wouldn’t do that!”

“I certainly would. And I will if that’s what she does.”

Nick shrugged. “Let’s not fight about it. The night is young and beautiful, and so are you.” He slipped his arm around her and hugged her gently.

Becca wasn’t used to flattery, and her face heated again. “Don’t say things like that,” she begged. “I know I’m not beautiful. You don’t have to lie.”

Nick laughed. “Are you nuts? Have you never looked in the mirror? You’re gorgeous, Becca. Tall and regal, like a queen. You just light up a room when you walk in. I can’t figure out why someone hasn’t snapped you up already.”

Becca tried to smile. She knew why he was lavishing her with flattery. He thought she’d be an heiress. Gram’s announcement had spoiled any enjoyment of the evening she might have felt. Now she’d be weighing every word Nick spoke against his motives.

“I haven’t been to see a movie in ages,” she said.

“It will probably be one you’ve seen already,” Nick said, steering the car expertly around the curves to town. “We only get old movies that are already on TV mostly. But at least it’s a chance to get away from everyone else and eat some popcorn. It’s something to do.”

Nick’s prediction proved correct, but Becca still enjoyed the old romantic comedy. She laughed until she cried and tried to forget her fears and worries. Walking out of the old movie theater, she felt gloom begin to dampen her spirits again. Her task seemed overwhelming now. Who would trust her knowing Gram was giving her all her money?

“Becca!” Saija Korpela waved to her from the next aisle over.

Becca smiled and weaved through the crowd toward her friend. “I wish I’d known you were going to be here. We could have sat together.” Her smile faltered when she recognized the man with Saija. Greg Chambers.

She introduced Nick to her old friend.

“Greg, this is my friend, Becca—ah—Becca Lynn,” she faltered.

“It’s okay, I admitted who I really am,” Becca said. “And Greg and I have already met.”

Saija’s stricken face brightened. “Oh that’s right. I forgot you probably met my cousin when you were here when you were younger.”

Becca’s gaze met Greg’s. His distant smile as he watched Becca made her feel like a mouse hiding from a hawk.

“We were reacquainted at the beach the other day,” Greg said. “I’ve thought a lot about you over the years. And Saija has talked of nothing else since you got back to town.”

If he’d thought about her at all, it would have been in the context of a pest. Becca knew he was lying. She’d been quite unremarkable as a child. “We’ll have to get together for dinner one night,” she said.

“You could come to our house,” Saija said.

“That would be great. Where’s your husband tonight?”

“He had to work late over on the mainland so he’ll be gone until tomorrow. I was ready to get out of the house, so Mom took the kids to give me a break.”

As they left Saija and Greg, Nick took Becca’s arm. “Don’t tell Max you saw him,” he whispered

“I know better,” Becca said.

“Max still thinks he was responsible for Laura’s death.”

“I know. He found me at the beach with Greg.”

“I bet that went over well.”

“You could almost see the sparks flying between the two of them.”

Nick laughed. “I’m sure. Greg hates Max, and the feeling is mutual.”

“Do you think Greg had something to do with the explosion?”

He shrugged. “Who knows? The sheriff ruled it an accident. Max doesn’t believe that though.”

“Do you?” Becca pressed him, wondering why he was being evasive.

“We’ve hung out a few times. He seems an okay guy. Intense but okay. I think Max is just trying to find someone to lay the blame on. Maybe to get the focus off himself.”

“So you think Max killed Laura?” Why was she so reluctant to believe that?

“Max is my brother.” Nick flashed a smile. “I know he’d never hurt anyone. And I would never incriminate him.”

“Are you saying you know something that would incriminate him if you told it?”

“You’re putting words in my mouth. You should be asking Max these questions.” He smiled. “Enough of serious things. Let’s enjoy our drive home and forget about stuff like murder and mayhem.”

It was more what he wasn’t saying that alarmed Becca. She managed a smile and chatted about her schooling all the way home.

Nick opened the door for her and took her hand as they walked toward the house. Nearly every window blazed with light.

He parked out front then killed the engine and leaned back in his seat. He slid his hand along the top of Becca’s head and leaned toward her.

Her mouth went dry, and she fumbled for the door handle and quickly opened it. “I’d better get inside.” She saw him start to reach for her and slipped from his grasp.

He frowned and she heard him sigh loudly, but he didn’t complain verbally, though he slammed the car door more loudly than necessary.

“Looks like everyone is up,” Becca said, walking ahead of him.

He caught up with her and took her arm. “Are you afraid of me, Becca?”

His fingers on her arm made her feel panicked but she fought it. “Not at all. I just thought I should get in and check on Gram.”

“She’s fine. Let’s take a walk in the garden.”

“I’m really tired,” she said. She wanted to tug her arm from his grasp but refrained.

“I’ve been wanting to get you to myself for days,” he said. “I’m going to woo you, Becca. You’re the woman I’ve been waiting for.”

“Me or the money?” She blurted the words before she stopped to think.

His grasp slackened. “That was uncalled for. I asked you out before I knew who you were.”

“That’s true,” she admitted. “I’m sorry. I’m just so confused by everything right now. Let’s put off serious discussions for now, okay?”

“You sure you want to face the gauntlet? Gram probably announced her intentions to the family and they’re all plotting how to get their share.” Nick grinned and turned to start to the house.

Relief flooded Becca at his acceptance of her reticence. She liked Nick, but only as a friend. She didn’t think she could ever feel more than friendship for him. And she didn’t trust that his interest was in her and not in Gram’s money.

At the bottom of the steps to the porch, he paused and pulled her toward him. His fingers touched her chin and tilted her lips up to meet his. Becca tried to draw away, but his hands held her trapped.

“Nice night.” Shayna’s voice caused Nick to jerk away.

He turned and his hand dropped from Becca’s chin. “I didn’t see you skulking in the shadows,” he said.

Shayna got up from the porch swing. “I wasn’t skulking. Sorry to interrupt your romantic moment.” Her voice was caustic, and she walked in angry, jerky movements to the front door. “Carry on.”

Becca used the interruption to escape. “Thanks for a wonderful evening, Nick,” she said, hurrying up the porch steps. “I’d better go check on Gram.”