Page 9

Chapter Nine

Rain had moved in overnight and the blustery day whipped up the water, painting ruffles of white across a slate gray several shades deeper than the steel-colored sky. The grumpy ocean deterred tourists. Not great for business, but better for safety overall. Miles was grateful he hadn’t scheduled any classes this month. New students and weather like this were never a fun combination.

Although sailors needed to learn how to manage in all conditions, rough water wasn’t the right starting point. And none of his experienced students would return until closer to summertime.

He made use of the foul weather day to catch up on his bookkeeping. Contrary to popular opinion, the sailing school wasn’t just a cover story. This was his new life, and he needed to keep the doors open. He hoped to become a fixture in the community and a business owner his eventual family could be proud of. Assuming he talked Molly into marriage someday.

After that kiss, he was feeling downright optimistic.

With the accounting done, he pulled up the security footage again, looking for the vandal .

He hadn’t gone straight home from Molly’s last night. He’d come here to the office in search of a distraction, but he couldn’t get his mind off that kiss. Couldn’t drag his thoughts away from the anticipation of kissing her again.

Even now, he recalled the dazzled look in her eyes and clung to the satisfying awareness that she was equally affected. That had to be a good sign for their budding relationship. He wondered how the kiss would change things. Would she be more open to public affection? Probably not right away and not until Bryce caught on.

Well that would happen soon enough, because Miles was sticking close. As a protective measure, sure. But now that he’d had a taste, he wanted more. Everything. And he wanted to give her everything in turn.

And seeing Bryce on the screen brought him back with a jolt. He’d been daydreaming so hard he’d missed any potential clues. Again. Cycling back, he forced himself to focus on the images from yesterday, determined to find something Caldwell could use.

There was a quick shadow before the camera was hit with a substance that blurred the image. Minutes later the same thing happened on the second camera. Nothing to go on but a vague shape trashing his boat until the film evaporated. He sent a text message to Knox. Maybe if they figured out what was used it would lead them to the vandal. A longshot, but what else did they have?

Caldwell had sent an email with the photos he’d taken of the vandalism and Miles went through those next. The whole thing seemed sloppy and a little over the top. More and more, he discounted any connection to his undercover work. Maybe that was simply wishful thinking, but the Vedras family would rather kill him than insult him. In the criminal world they’d dominated for so long, traitors died. Anything less would imply they were a soft target ripe for a takeover .

“Working hard?”

The question startled him and he discovered Knox in the doorway. “I didn’t hear the bell.”

Knox arched an eyebrow. “Guess I’m just that stealthy.”

“Hardly. You’re just a pain in the butt.”

“You were pretty focused.” Knox walked closer. “Anything?” he asked, seeing the security footage.

Miles rewound to when the cameras were hit. “I sent you a text. Any idea what kind of substance would evaporate without a trace after a few hours?”

“Not yet,” Knox said. “Research is on it.”

Miles nodded and leaned back in his chair. “You talk with Jess about it?”

“Along with the tech team at headquarters,” Knox confirmed. “Just finished a chat with Chief Caldwell. He searched the CCTV nearby during the vandalism, but didn’t get any closer to an identification than we did.”

“Well that sucks.”

“It does.” Knox slapped his shoulder. “You can rest easy, though. Nothing indicates Vedras is involved.”

“Yeah, I reached the same conclusion,” Miles said.

“Any other enemies I should know about?”

“Not really. I can’t claim to be Mr. Popularity anywhere, but I don’t have enemies in Brookwell. And just going off the shadows,” he pointed to the monitor, “this person doesn’t move like a kid.” He queued up the footage that bothered him. “Did anyone on the tech team notice the hitch in this guy’s gait?”

“They did,” Knox said. Grabbing a second chair, he flipped it around and straddled the seat, resting his hands across the top. “Which has me leaning toward your alternate theory.”

“That this stunt is about Molly. Or Bryce.” A chill slithered down Miles’s neck. “How would anyone use this against her in court?” he wondered aloud.

“Who knows? People do dumb things in the pursuit of what they want,” Knox reminded him. “Do you think the kid’s grandparents would hire someone for this? Maybe the goal is to prove she’s guilty by association or she neglects her son by dropping him with you.”

“Not once has she dropped that boy here alone.” Miles squeezed the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white. “She’s an amazing mom. He’s the luckiest kid on the planet.”

“Agreed.” Knox straightened. “And I know that look. You’re spoiling for a fight. This isn’t the time,” he warned. “You need to keep it together.”

“Nobody should be messing with her,” Miles groused. “She’s the best person.”

“You’ve got it bad,” Knox observed. “Are you sure getting involved is smart?”

He wasn’t going to ice her out after she’d finally kissed him. “I’m involved. I’m staying that way.”

Knox held up his hands in surrender. “I don’t mean to tread on tender areas. Personally, I think she’s awesome. You don’t have much to worry about from Vedras. The agency has so many feelers out, no one in the family can sneeze without us knowing.”

“If I’m so safe, why are you still here?”

Knox jerked his chin toward the live image of the boat in the shed. “Better safe than sorry. I hate to break it to you, but people like you. They want to keep you around.”

Miles glanced up at the clock. Molly and Bryce might arrive at any moment. “Great. Thanks. If that’s all, you can head out.”

“Always so cordial.” Knox laughed.

“It’s old baggage,” Miles admitted. And old habits. He was too accustomed to managing on his own and relying solely on himself. Trust didn’t come easy, the fallout of being constantly let down. Still, taking it out on Knox was dumb. The man had shown up when Miles needed him. He’d come through when Miles’s life was on the line.

“I shouldn’t have to remind you that Guardian Agency protectors are experts,” Knox said. “If you’re worried about Molly, don’t. She’s a client. She’s not as alone as she might feel.”

Knox’s intuition frustrated Miles. He bristled at the reminder that he hadn’t truly been alone in those final undercover days. His temper simmered at the idea that Knox might take over Molly’s security. Miles hadn’t been assigned to a case recently, but he knew the protector role. He knew Molly, too. Better than Knox.

“Is this your way of declaring yourself her bodyguard?”

Damn . He hadn’t meant to toss that out like a challenge. He’d told Jess he would watch over Molly. Then again, his old demons had prevented him from asking her out earlier because he was afraid of facing the Vedras retaliation alone.

But this situation wasn’t the Vedras. It was something else.

A grin spread slowly across Knox’s face. “From over here, I’d say that honor goes to you. How about you just remember I’m here.” He spread his arms wide. “Able and ready to assist at any time.”

“Thanks.” Miles did appreciate the offer. “If you could run interference with the chief that would be a big help.”

“Consider it done.” Knox pointed to the monitor once more. “You installed new cameras?”

“No, just cleaned them up. I’m thinking about adding another one or some kind of backup, but I don’t know where I could put it at this point.”

“Yeah, anything you add is likely to be spotted.” Knox frowned at the set up. “Just keep doing what you do.” He pushed to his feet and turned the chair around. “And remember you’re not alone.”

“Thanks, man.”

Miles needed loads of practice with the team player concept, and he’d give it his best shot. He supposed the only answer was time. Time and people jumping to join him in the fray when a crisis hit.

Outside, working on the boat, he deliberately focused on recalling those moments when friends and allies had stood up for him. He worked backward, starting with Knox, Jess… Gamble and Swann too. The professor in college who protected his interests—earning Miles an instant fortune. The advisors who made sure he didn’t blow that fortune.

He reminisced over some better memories from school, when Harper Ellington hadn’t just been kind, but also became a friend. They’d talked once since his return and tossed around a collaboration idea between her resort and his sailing school. He shouldn’t have let that slide.

By the time Molly and Bryce walked into the shop, the old baggage had faded from his mind and he’d dictated a few notes on the collab with Harper. In a much better mood, he greeted them both. Around Molly, all of the nagging tension eased from his shoulders. The worry and speculation just lifted away. Before her, he’d only felt that easy freedom to be himself when he was out on the water.

“Hey how are y’all doing? How was school?” He crouched down to meet Bryce at eye level. “Did you behave?”

Bryce slid a glance up at his mom.

“Smiles across the board,” she reported. “And he got a gold star for his reading effort too.”

“Way to go.” Miles held up a hand for a high five. “That earns you a surprise. If it’s okay with your mom.”

The boy’s face lit up. “Please, Momma.” He bounced on his toes .

Although the tone and the puppy dog eyes were sure to do the trick, Miles added his own hopeful gaze to the equation. Naturally Molly caved, no match for their combined cuteness.

“Bring it on,” she said, feigning defeat.

“It’s over here near the tools,” he said. “We’re a team, right?”

Bryce nodded vigorously. “We are a team!”

Molly beamed at her son and Miles hoped that also meant she was getting more comfortable around the E-scow. At least while it was under repair.

Miles walked them back toward the cabinets that were currently unlocked while he was working. Opening a door, he withdrew a big box. For a second, he regretted not wrapping it, although that would have just made the whole thing into an event and he wanted to keep things light. He didn’t want to give Molly any excuse to turn down the gift or stop hanging out with him.

“I thought it was about time you had your own tool set,” he told Bryce.

“You mean it?” There was such awe in that little voice.

“I do.” Miles ruffled his hair. “It’s all yours.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” Bryce threw his arms around Miles and held tight for a big hug.

They opened the box together. The set included a child-size worktable, a wooden hammer, some dowels and pegs, a screwdriver and plastic screws with pre-drilled holes to make it easier for little hands to succeed. A project book provided directions with pictures supported by text, so even if he couldn’t read yet, he should be able to figure a few things out on his own.

“There’s a couple projects you can get started on right away,” Miles said, paging to the first one. “What do you think?”

Bryce held the hammer reverently. “Will they help with the boat?”

“Eventually. I figured with some practice here, you’ll be ready when I need a hand with the finishing touches.”

“This looks like a birdhouse,” Bryce said, peering at the project book.

“Because it is.” Miles patted his shoulder. “Can you find all the materials in that second box?”

Bryce agreed, but he looked crestfallen. “Bird houses don’t go on boats,” he whispered.

“No.” The boy’s disappointment struck Miles right in the chest. He scrambled for a solution. “They can go on the dock,” he suggested. “Or we could mount it right here in the shed.” Miles crouched down once more, giving Bryce’s shoulder a squeeze. “It’s like sight words,” he explained. “The important thing is the skill you learn while you make the birdhouse. The basic skills will help you with the next project and the next and then you’ll be ready to help with the boat.”

“Okay.” Getting excited again, Bryce started rooting through the project supply box.

Miles stood back, leaving him to it.

“I appreciate how good you are with him,” Molly murmured. “He needs good role models.”

Miles stayed as cool as possible “Plenty of those to be found around this town,” he deferred.

“True.” She stuck her hands in her pockets.

Maybe he was projecting, but he hoped she was fighting the same battle, wanting to touch him as much as he wanted to touch her. She resisted, so he did too.

With Bryce immersed in the tool set and thoroughly distracted, he steered her another step away. “How are you feeling really?” It had only been a couple of days.

“Much better. I did the driving today.”

“All good? ”

“A little nervous on the inside,” she confessed. “I’m so happy to not be as light-sensitive and so far, no headache.” She lifted her crossed fingers, then tucked her hand out of sight again.

“That’s great.”

“I think so.” She grinned. “Dr. Sanders reminded me to just be aware and take it easy. Nina won’t let me come back to work until next week.”

“Probably for the best, but I’m sure it’s frustrating.”

“Yes.” Molly stepped closer to him. “And she’s insisting on paying me. I should be there to help with the Valentine’s orders. She brought Hailey in to help and now she’s still shorthanded.”

He was sympathetic to her situation, but it was the perfect opening. One he had been looking for for some time now, so he went for it. “Molly, I’d really like to take you out. I’d like us to do something special.” Her eyes went wide and he worried he was scaring her off. But if he didn’t push a little, they’d never make any progress. “The Inn has a special Valentine dinner event. Will you join me?”

Her shoulders slumped. Crap. Was Valentine’s Day just a collection of bad memories for her? Plenty of people had emotional scars and hang ups. As a florist, Molly might have actual scars from thorns or her florist knife.

“Nina got the contract for the florals. The designs will be beautiful. But I can’t go.”

“Would it help to know you’re my first?”

She snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth. “First what?”

“Valentine’s date.” Something about her getting flustered made him want to do more of it. He enjoyed the pink in her cheeks and he would seize every opportunity to soothe her nerves or boost her confidence. She didn’t seem to have any true concept of her appeal.

“You can’t be serious.” Her gaze drifted to Bryce, who continued to play with the tool set.

“I am. Why can’t you believe it?”

“Come on, Miles. You must pass by a mirror at some point in your day.”

He chuckled. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you about my childhood.”

“I’d like to hear that story.”

“Would you like to hear it on Valentine’s Day?”

“Yes.” She reached out and touched his arm before he could react. “But Sharon has plans and this isn’t the time to find a new sitter.”

She was right to be concerned with the custody issue looming. Miles rocked back on his heels. “Sharon has a date.”

“Don’t make it weird.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve been working on not thinking too hard about my aunt leaving for a weekend date.”

“A weekend?” A surge of protectiveness rolled through Miles. “Hang on. You don’t know who she’s going out with? Or where she’ll be?”

“You’re making it weird,” she warned. “Sharon’s a capable woman. Beautiful. Experienced.” Molly cringed just a little. “And she can take care of herself. If it turns more serious, she’ll bring him around for me to meet him.”

Miles couldn’t argue with any of that. So he got back to the point. “You’re not just using her as an excuse to let me down easy?”

She licked her lips. “I think you know better.” Her gaze caught his. “I’d love to go out with you. We just need to pick a different day.”

But the idea of a romantic dinner on the special day had taken root in his mind. He didn’t want to wait another year for his first Valentine’s date—one he planned to share with Molly. “How about we take Bryce along? ”

“Oh.” She tilted her head. “I was about to suggest you have dinner at our place. I could make pizza or?—”

That was absolutely not what he had in mind. He wanted to treat her to something fun and special. Something she could just relax and enjoy. “How about we save that for another time? Because it sounds amazing.”

“Does it”

“Homemade pizza? Are you kidding? Divine.”

“Okay—”

“Just not this time,” he insisted. “Let me take care of the plans. Just say you’ll come along.”

Her brow puckered over her pert nose. “Miles.”

“Trust me, it’ll be great.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Should I pick you two up at the house or do you want to meet me here?”

“You’re going to make this a sailing date aren’t you?”

“Would that make you happy?”

“I don’t think so.”

He admired her honesty. “Thought you might say that.” He grinned when she did. “Can you trust me to make it fun for all of us?”

“You really do care.”

So. Damn. Much. But all he said was, “Yes.”

“All right.” Her struggle to agree, to trust, played out in her beautiful blue eyes.

He understood completely. Granted, he’d shoved his way into her situation and wasn’t backing down. He wasn’t sure how he’d fallen for a woman who feared the water, but they’d find their way. If she gave him a chance.

“I do trust you, Miles.” She smiled. “Why don’t you pick us up, please. That will make Sharon feel better about going to meet her date.”

“The insurance company didn’t give you a rental? ”

“Not yet.” She tapped her temple. “Concussion slowed me down. I expect to sort that out soon.”

He’d gone by the junkyard when he’d been out for the tool set. Her car looked as if it had been caught in a giant’s fist. His heart had nearly stopped just imagining her caught inside the crumpled hunk of metal. She could’ve been killed.

It was hard to talk around the emotion lodged in his throat. “They’re going to total that car.”

She bit her lip. “I’m sure you’re right, but that’s not a worry for today.”

He shook off the urge to interfere even more. She didn’t need him jumping in to solve problems before she even asked for help. One of the things he liked about her was her independence. Quashing that, even for a good reason, didn’t sit well.

“I have an extra car if you want to borrow it.” He just couldn’t stop himself from making the offer. When it came to Molly, he was eager to share whatever she’d accept.

“I’ll think about it. Thank you.”

She stared up at him and he wanted to believe there was more than gratitude in her eyes. Did she want to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her? He’d let her. Gladly. But with Bryce right there, she seemed hesitant to make a move.

He couldn’t blame her for being cautious and protective of her son’s feelings.

“I need to get him home,” she said.

“Of course.” He stroked a hand lightly over her arm, unable to let her go without some kind of contact. “I’ll pick you guys up around six on Valentine’s.” He glanced at Bryce, calculating bedtime routines. “Guess that better be five.”

Laughing, she agreed. “I’ll see you then.”

As she walked away, hand in hand with her son, he felt his heart going with them.