Page 50 of Tide and Seek (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #8)

“He says it was an accident.” C.J.’s voice was carefully neutral, but I could hear the conflict in it.

“He says he tried to reason with her, tried to explain that he couldn’t pay that kind of money.

That he was already drowning in medical debt because of his wife’s illness, but she wouldn’t back down.

He panicked and...” She made a vague gesture.

“Hit her with a rock. He says he didn’t mean to kill her, that he was horrified when he realized she was dead. ”

Royce shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t think Ethan is a natural-born killer. I believe he probably didn’t mean to kill her. But he did, and that’s just a fact. Now he has to pay the price.”

The waves crashed against the shore below, and somewhere down the beach, a child laughed. The normal sounds of a beautiful summer day, completely at odds with what we were discussing.

“What a mess.” I rubbed my free hand over my face, feeling the warmth of the sun and the exhaustion of trying to process all of this. “What’s going to happen to Ethan?”

C.J. grimaced. “My friend said Ethan’s looking at manslaughter for Mrs. Brownstone, plus all the drug charges. Even with a deal, he’s going to do time. His lawyer’s trying to play up that he cooperated, but...” She shrugged helplessly. “He killed someone. There’s only so much a deal can do.”

“And Luke?” I asked.

She sighed. “Well, it depends on what the DA decides to push. Luke already had drug charges from before, and now they’re adding possession for the stuff Ethan gave him that night.

There’s even talk of obstruction since he knew about the drugs in your attic and kept quiet.

Even if they drop the threatening-text thing, I don’t think probation’s happening anymore.

” She took a sip of her coffee. “Anyway, you guys know the rest. Ethan and Stiles came into your house to get the stash, not realizing Royce was home. Then it all went to hell.”

Royce’s jaw clenched but he didn’t speak. I knew he was probably remembering how powerless he’d felt and how close to death he’d come. He’d had many nightmares since his ordeal in those dark caves. It would take time for all of that to fade.

“Despite Stiles hiring a fancy attorney,” C.J.

rasped, “I don’t think he’ll get off. There’s too much evidence against him, including your statement, Royce.

That goes a long way. Ethan has no previous record, but Stiles does.

And they were all drug-related too. I have to believe justice will prevail. ”

“I hope so.” I hesitated, almost afraid to ask what I needed to know. I cleared my throat. “Was… was James involved in any of this?”

C.J. gave a reassuring smile. “I’m happy to say he’s one of the few people who had nothing to do with any of it. He was oblivious to what was going on.”

The relief I felt was huge. While I still resented his boorish behavior toward Royce and the way he’d acted the night of the party, I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

James would always hold a special place in my heart, but he’d shown he didn’t know how to be my friend.

I didn’t know where we went from here, because friendship was all I had to offer.

“It’s so weird to think my beach house was the center of all of it,” I murmured, staring out at the glistening ocean.

A kayaker paddled by in the distance, a bright yellow dot against the blue expanse of ocean.

I watched them for a moment, trying to reconcile the peaceful scene before me with the twisted tale C.J. had just shared.

“I know.” C.J.’s gaze was empathetic. “Maybe if I’d been more alert, I’d have noticed what was going on.”

“None of this is your fault.” I frowned.

“But if you don’t pay attention, how do you protect yourself from this stuff?

” She lifted one shoulder in a listless shrug.

“This used to be such a great place to live. I felt safe here. But now the blinders are off. I have to face the fact that bad things can happen anywhere, and that good people can do very bad things when they’re desperate enough. ”

“People can be disappointing,” I agreed, meeting Royce’s gaze. “But they can also make life worth living.”

Royce smiled. “I agree.”

“Aww, man,” C.J. said with a smirk. “There you two go being adorable again.”

****

We were leaving Thursday afternoon, so on our last full day, we decided to stay home and grill.

We had a leisurely swim in the ocean and then feasted on lobster tails and steak, all expertly grilled by Royce.

I did contribute to the meal by making baked potatoes and a salad, and opening an exquisite, and very pricey, bottle of Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon that I had on hand.

It was my favorite meal of all the meals we’d shared in Malibu.

After almost losing Royce, everything tasted better.

Smelled better. Felt better. Life was so vivid and tangible in a way it hadn’t been before.

I’d already loved Royce more than anything in this world, but until I’d risked it all to go after him in those awful caves, I don’t think it had truly sunk in that life would literally have no meaning for me anymore if Royce was gone.

Therefore my life had easily been expendable.

So I watched him as the sun lowered in the sky, his smooth skin bronzed from our vacation, his blond hair fluttering in the sea breeze, his brown eyes full of affection and amusement as we talked and laughed over our meal.

It was the most perfect moment, made even better by the sight of my ring back on his long, tanned finger.

Tomorrow we’d fly back to Rainy Dale and the thought of that didn’t even bother me one bit.

I actually wanted to go back to that dusty little town because it was the place Royce loved.

The place he’d grown up. His parents and all those odd, quirky people who lived in Rainy Dale had helped shape Royce into the man he was. The man I loved.

Royce stopped talking and he smiled. “What’s going on in that head of yours, Max?”

My throat was tight as I admitted, “I’m thinking that I can’t wait to go home tomorrow.”

Obvious surprise fluttered through his eyes. “Really?”

I nodded slowly. “It sounds crazy, right? Me missing Rainy Dale.” I laughed. “But I kind of miss the smell of sage, and the lack of humidity compared to here. And I miss Grumpy, and Girdy, and even some of my patients.”

“I miss home too,” he said quietly.

I met his gaze. “I didn’t really appreciate it before, but the sunsets are beautiful in Rainy Dale.

So different from here. I like how, behind the yucca and the prickly pear, it’s like the whole sky catches fire every night in orange and violet.

” I gave a self-conscious laugh. “Okay, that sounded a little dramatic.”

“Nah, it was poetic.” He smiled. “The sunsets here are mighty pretty too.”

“Yes, they are.” I nodded. “And I definitely want to come back here with you again. But, honestly, I… I can’t wait to get on that plane.”

He bit his bottom lip. “It’s awful nice to hear you say that, Max. Part of me worried you wouldn’t want to go back.”

“Of course I want to go back with you.” I frowned.

He hesitated. “When we actually have the wedding… did you want to do that here?” He kept his voice neutral. “I know there are way nicer restaurants and venues in Malibu than Rainy Dale. You could have your dream wedding in a city like this.”

I couldn’t help smiling because he was trying so hard to be diplomatic.

“Marrying you is the dream part, Royce. And yes, the restaurants here are far more sophisticated than anything we’ll find in Rainy Dale.

” I smiled. “But you know what? I don’t feel very sophisticated these days.

I have no one to impress anymore. When it comes to our wedding, I’m thinking small.

Intimate. We could do it in our backyard for all I care. ”

He grinned. “You’re just trying to incorporate your beloved pool into the festivities, aren’t you?”

I laughed. “Oh, my. A pool-party wedding. That sounds very Rainy Dale-ish. We could barbecue a hog over a spit, and hire a horrible country band just to round it all out.”

He chuckled and reached his hand out to me, looking happy. “I want to run something by you.”

I tensed. “Okay.”

He laughed. “Don’t look so worried.”

“You just looked really serious all of a sudden,” I murmured, trying to relax.

He cleared his throat, tensing his fingers on mine. “I know you’re worried about meeting my mom one of these days.”

I gritted my teeth. “Yes.” If I had my way we’d never actually meet, but I knew it mattered to Royce so meeting her was inevitable. Much like death and taxes.

“But I think you should definitely meet her before we actually tie the knot.” He added quickly, “Even if you two hate each other, I’m still marrying you, Max. I want to be sure you know that. I’d just like you two to meet first, that’s all. It seems like the proper thing to do.”

“Of course.” Hopefully I sounded appropriately agreeable.

“As you know, she loves cruises.” He sounded a little uncertain now. “And she’s always wanted me to go on a cruise with her.”

I blinked at him with trepidation because I was no fool and knew exactly where this was going. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

He laughed sheepishly. “Is it too crazy of an idea?”

“Well, I won’t pretend I love the idea.” I grimaced. “What kind of cruise?”

“She invited me on a cruise to the Caribbean a few months back. I didn’t give her an answer because I wasn’t thrilled about going on a vacation without you. But if you came with us, then it could be fun. What do you think? Have you ever had any interest in going on a cruise?”

“Well, to be frank,” I said cautiously, “I’m turning forty soon, and I’ve never once felt the desire to book a cruise.”

“Yeah. I figured you wouldn’t be thrilled.” He gritted his teeth. “But I was thinking since she loves cruises she’d be in a really good mood. And then if you and I joined her, she’d feel super special and maybe you two could bond.”

I laughed gruffly. “What exactly are we bonding over? She loves cruises and probably people too, and I hate both.”

He gave a crooked smile. “Well, obviously, you’d be bonding over your adoration of me.”

“Oh, I get it. We’re just there to worship you?”

“Yes. You’d also get to eat and drink all you want. That’s all included in the price of the cruise.”

I shuddered at the thought of shared buffets with filthy sneeze guards, and using “community” tongs. “Will you hate me if I admit it kind of sounds like a nightmare?”

He looked disappointed. “Does it?”

“It doesn’t to you?”

He shrugged. “I think with the right attitude it could be fun.”

“Fun?” I repeated with a grimace. “The stress of meeting your mother is already enough to give me a stroke. Throw in crowds of drunken strangers, the threat of norovirus, bingo, line dancing, and karaoke, and I’d be lucky if I didn’t jump overboard before our first docking.”

His lips twitched. “Aww, come on, Max, I’d give my left arm to see you sing karaoke or line dance.”

“Your arm is safe because neither one of those things will ever happen.”

He studied me then he gave a resigned smile. “Okay. I understand. It was just a thought. You can just meet her next time she comes to Rainy Dale.”

He was trying to be a good sport about it all, which only made me feel even guiltier. “How long would we be trapped… I mean, how long would we be allowed the splendor of being on this cruise?”

A glimmer of hope sparked in his brown eyes. “The one she was talking about to the Caribbean was ten days.”

I gave a reflexive gulp. Ten days at sea with his mother. Did I have that sort of stamina? I could maybe manage to be charming for a few days in a row, but ten days of being on my best behavior? I wasn’t sure I could pull that off.

“And this would make you happy?” I asked softly.

He smiled. “Yeah, but I don’t want to force you, Max. It’s okay. There will be other opportunities to bond with Mom.”

I looked down at his hand clasped with mine.

The band I’d given him gleamed against his tanned skin, and something in my chest loosened at the sight of it.

Against all odds, Royce actually wanted to marry me.

And marriage wasn’t just about the romantic gestures and the grand declarations, it was about the small, everyday compromises.

It was about the give and take, about sometimes doing things you didn’t particularly want to do because the person wearing your ring wanted them.

Maybe a cruise wouldn’t be so bad. It was just a week on a boat. Okay, that was an oversimplification. It was going to be hell. I’d be uncomfortable and stressed the entire time. But if it made Royce happy, if it was something he wanted to experience with me, then wasn’t that what mattered?

My mouth went dry as I tried to force the words out. It took a few tries, but I finally managed a hoarse, “Let’s do it.”

“Really?” The happy smile that lit his face took away some of my terror. “You’ll do it, Max?”

“I will for you.” I gave a weak smile. “Marriage is about for better or worse, right? What could be worse than me on a cruise with your mother? If we can get through that, our eventual marriage will be able to withstand anything.”

He stood and came around the table. I rose to meet him and he slipped his arms around me, tugging me close. “Thank you. I know you’re only doing this for me.”

“Yes. That’s true.” I laughed sheepishly.

“You’re awfully good to me, Max.”

I sighed. “It’s not that big of a sacrifice. It’s just a harmless little Caribbean cruise with my future mother-in-law. At worst, it might be a little bit boring.”

“That’s right.” He smiled indulgently.

“Is it my idea of a dream vacation? No. But it’s not like anyone is going to die or anything.”

He bugged his eyes, making shushing gestures. “Shhh, be careful saying things like that, Max. With our track record, we don’t want to tempt fate.”

“Oh, Royce.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m a man of science. I don’t believe in fate.” But even as the words left my lips, I had the oddest feeling that perhaps I’d be eating those words somewhere in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.