Brenda Jackson - Finding Home Again

“I saw Farley’s sister at your party. She came without him?” Ray asked.

“Yes. He wasn’t feeling well, and I guess she didn’t want to miss a good party,” Kaegan said, chuckling.

“She’s a divorcée, right?” Sawyer asked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“She’s pretty,” Ray said, looking at him over the rim of his coffee cup.

He glanced at Ray. “Is she? I hadn’t really noticed.”

In truth, he had noticed, but not enough to warrant his interest. She wasn’t his type. Not that he believed everything he heard, but on more than one occasion he’d heard his men whispering that she was into kinky stuff and that threesomes were her specialty. Personally, he wasn’t into sharing.

He glanced up when a cup of coffee and a basket of blueberries were placed in front of him. When his and Bryce’s eyes met, something stirred deep within his gut and he immediately resented the feeling. He also resented that he was noticing how pretty she looked this morning. Could it be the hint of blush she’d added to her cheeks? Or that her lashes seemed a little longer than usual? In the past, Bryce only put on makeup when it suited her. Was there a reason she was wearing some now? Was there a man coming into the café that she wanted to impress?

“Will there be anything else?” she asked him.

He hated that his thoughts had been on a past that could never be rekindled. She was glaring at him and he automatically glared back. “From you? No.”

He saw her bite down on her bottom lip, probably tempted to tell him where he could take the coffee and muffins and shove them. Instead she turned and walked off. He watched her leave and figured that even if he no longer cared one iota for her, he could still appreciate a good-looking ass in jeans. He kept his gaze glued to her backside until she disappeared behind the counter. He wished he didn’t remember a time he considered that ass and every damn part of her body as his.

“Keep it up and one day you’re going to get hot coffee thrown in your face, Kaegan,” Sawyer said, breaking into his thoughts.

He looked over at Sawyer. “If that happens, I’m sure you’ll be quick to arrest her.”

Sawyer shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t say that I will. I might figure you had it coming.”

“I will have to agree with him,” Ray added. “I don’t know what happened between you and Bryce years ago, but I’d think the two of you should—”

“Continue to ignore each other,” Kaegan interrupted.

“The two of you don’t ignore each other,” Sawyer said, after taking a sip of his coffee. “You antagonize each other. You do her and she does you.”

Kaegan wished Sawyer hadn’t said that. Why did memories of him and Bryce together suddenly flash through his mind? Her naked beneath him while they made love. He had been her first and she had been his.

He glanced at his watch. “I got to go. Marty called and one of his kids is sick, so he won’t be coming in. I’ll be helping with deliveries today.”

Ray raised an eyebrow. “Where’s John?”

“On vacation. He and his family left Saturday for Walt Disney World.”

Ray nodded. “You know if you need me to pitch in I’m just a phone call away.”

Kaegan knew that was true. When Ray had first arrived in town he had worked for him, first out on the boat and then in the office as a bookkeeper. The man had a way with numbers and in the end it was discovered why. He was a Harvard man with dual degrees in computer technology and finance. Even after Ray had started up his own company, Ray Tours, he would often volunteer and help out in any way he could, especially during audit time. Kaegan always welcomed the help. He still did, but knew Ray’s business had grown by leaps and bounds. Instead of one touring boat, Ray now had five. When Ray had gotten his memory back, it was discovered he was a very wealthy man. But Kaegan still appreciated that he hadn’t changed. He was still the laid-back man he considered a close friend.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kaegan said, standing and leaving enough money on the table to cover his bill and a tip. He glanced over to where Bryce was waiting on another table. Why his gaze had been drawn to her, he wasn’t sure. He never was sure.

“You’re still leaving, Kaegan?”

It was then that he realized he had been standing there staring at Bryce. He glanced at his friends. “Yes, I’m still leaving.”

He then turned and walked out of the café.

BRYCE WAS AWARE the moment Kaegan left because she no longer felt the heat of his gaze on her. Why did knowing he’d been watching her, was always watching her, fill her with a degree of satisfaction?

She had taken extra time with getting dressed today. Although she’d told herself it hadn’t been for him, she knew it was at him. Maybe it was time for her to let him see what he used to have, but wouldn’t ever have again. One day he would regret believing the worst about her.

“That will be all, Bryce.”

She smiled at the Coopers, the couple whose order she’d just taken. Like Ray, Kaegan and Sawyer, the older couple were regulars. “I’ll be back with your tea.”

As she walked off, she felt the cell phone in the pocket of her jeans vibrate. When she got to the hallway that led to the kitchen, she pulled the phone out of her pocket and saw the caller was Vashti.

She clicked it on. “Good morning, Vash, and, no, I haven’t forgotten,” she said, before her best friend could tell her the reason for the call. Bryce had promised to cover for her at the inn for a couple of hours while Vashti took her son, Cutter, in for his regular checkup with the pediatrician.

“Glad you remembered. What time will you get here?”

“What time do you want me there?”

Two years ago, Vashti had inherited the inn that sat on the gulf, Shelby by the Sea, from her aunt. She’d spent a year remodeling the place, not only bringing it back to its once glorious splendor, but also adding additional perks that made the inn one of the most sought-out places for newlyweds, couples celebrating anniversaries and writers needing a retreat to be inspired. Reservations were booked months in advance and Shelby by the Sea always had a full house. Most people checked in on Mondays and stayed until Sunday, and some stayed more than one week. Vashti was expecting at least six couples to check in today before noon, which was why she wanted to make sure Bryce covered for her.

Bryce loved Shelby by the Sea and remembered spending a lot of time there with Vashti while growing up. When Vashti had reopened the inn, Bryce had agreed to be the inn’s assistant manager that first year to help Vashti while she got things off the ground. That meant she was familiar with how things operated at the inn and could step in and help out any time she was needed.

“My appointment is at ten thirty.”

“Then I’ll be there at ten. My first appointment isn’t until three.”

“Thanks, Bryce. You’re a lifesaver.”

“That’s what friends are for. I’ll see you in a few.”

She clicked off the phone when a man walked in. Isaac Elloran. He’d graduated from school the same year as her brother Ry and had moved back to the cove last year. His wife—or ex-wife—had graduated with them, as well. According to Ry, the two had been high-school sweethearts who’d gotten married but had divorced a few years ago.

Bryce didn’t know Isaac that well, but he seemed like a nice guy. And he’d moved back to Catalina Cove to start a new life for himself. She’d heard he was a technology expert who’d sold his business and was able to retire early. It was obvious the man was loaded, with that fancy hot sports car he drove around town and that huge house he’d purchased near the ocean.