Rachel Brimble - A Stranger In The Cove

“I’m not attracted...it’s just that for a fleeting moment he seemed genuinely respectful of what I do for work. I liked that. My gut is telling me somewhere behind that angry exterior is a decent bloke.” She crossed her arms. “Maybe I could help him.”

“Kate...”

“What? All I’m saying is, if I can stop him going in all guns blazing, I will. I know what it feels like to be backed into a corner. Mac seemed ultra-tense. Like he’s got no real idea how to speak with this person when he finds them. It was...weird.”

“Weird? Or just something you couldn’t immediately solve?”

Kate sighed. “Both. I’d better go.”

“Okay. See you later.”

Kate left the gallery and made her way along the high street toward the Teenage Support office, buttoning her coat against the late winter chill. Her head bent low, she wondered when it would ever feel like summer again in Templeton.

What she needed was a hot cappuccino and one of Marian’s breakfast rolls. A guaranteed diversion from Mac. She pushed him to the back of her mind and forced her focus on the day ahead.

Deserving and desperate kids and their families needed her full concentration and dedication. Maybe Izzy was right and Kate should butt out of Mac’s life. What drove her to reach out to people was her work with those who had been bullied—and experiences she had with her mother. Mac was a big boy who most likely knew exactly what he was doing.

Feeling more positive, Kate pushed open the door of the bakery and shook out her curls, already turning to frizz, thanks to the cold sea air. When she looked up, her eyes were drawn toward one of the booths. Mac Orman sat with some papers in front of him as he stared toward the counter, his eyes narrowed.

What looked to be a half-eaten breakfast had been pushed to the side. He turned his focus to the open notebook in front of him and scribbled something on the page, his expression grim with stony concentration.

Kate’s suspicions rocketed. Was whoever he was looking for in the bakery right now? Was he writing down their actions or day-to-day business for some reason? Was he stalking someone? She looked around. Nobody seemed to be taking any notice of Mac and his notebook. She took her time hanging her jacket on the old-fashioned coat stand as she furtively watched him.

There it was again. He looked at Ella behind the counter and made a note. Then he looked at an older woman Kate didn’t recognize. Made another note. What was he up to?

Mac glanced toward her and flinched. Aha! She lifted her chin. Caught red-handed. Whatever he was writing certainly wasn’t innocent. She straightened her spine and walked toward him as he quickly shut his notebook and slipped it on to the seat beside him.

* * *

MAC FORCED A slow smile and tried his best not to be distracted by the sexy, disheveled sight of Kate Harrington. Her deep, dark eyes were almost hypnotic, but he’d have to be half-blind not to notice the concern in her gaze when she’d questioned him last night. She seemed nice, sweet...and all sorts of sexy mixed in. Another time, another place, he might have been interested.

But not here. Not now.

He needed Kate to keep her nose out of his business. To let his cold façade slip would risk his pursuit of the elusive Marian Ball.

Judging by the suspicion in Kate’s gaze as she marched toward him, she’d seen him checking out the locals. She glanced toward the counter and back again, annoyance etched on her pretty face. Her shoulders lifted as though she were bracing herself before she dropped them and stood right beside him.

Here goes...

He stood in the hope she wouldn’t sit. “Morning.”

She stared. Her eyes assessing, judging.

He raised his eyebrows. “Getting breakfast?”

“And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.” She eyed him carefully. “You?”

He tilted his head toward his table. “Breakfast done and pretty nice it was, too. This Marian, whoever she is, must be one hell of a cook.”

“She is, but Marian’s out of town. It would’ve been Ella or one of the other girls who fixed your breakfast.”

He stilled and tried not to inhale as her words knocked the wind out of him. How could he not have considered Marian Ball might be out of town? He forced his expression into cool nonchalance, but from the way Kate’s gaze bored into his, alight with interest, he knew he’d already been analyzed, and a calculation had been made.

He slid back into the booth. “How well do you know Marian?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Yes. It’s a simple enough question.”

Annoyed, Mac said, “I’m trying to be friendly here. Make a little conversation. If you don’t want that...” He tilted his head toward the counter. “Don’t let me keep you.”

“Fine. I know Marian really well.” Uninvited, she slid into the booth opposite him. “As do most people in town.”

Mac studied her. How much could he say, or ask, about Marian Ball without arousing Kate’s obvious distrust. “Is that so?”

“Uh-huh.” She held his stare, her eyes giving away nothing.

He blew out a breath. “So, this place is hers?”

“I’m pretty sure she owns it now, but it was Jay’s, and his father’s before him.”

Mac frowned and glanced toward the counter. “Jay?”

“Our resident millionaire. He’s as cute as hell and richer than Rockefeller, but the guy only has eyes for two women in town.”

“Two women?” Mac smiled. “You don’t strike me as the kind to talk so fondly about a guy dating two different women. You got a thing for him?”

“No, but Jay’s a great guy. He’s kind and generous, my friend’s fabulous boss, a loving husband, and a great father to his little girl, Sarah.”

“Ah, his wife and kid. I get it.”

“Do you?”

He frowned as wariness clouded her gaze. “He’s married, he’s a daddy. That’s the two women in his life.”

She leaned her forearms on the table, her brown eyes dark with warning. “You need to understand something about the people in this town, Mac. For the most part, we’re good and caring. We look out for one another. Certain people have done amazing things for me and they’ve asked for nothing in return. That makes me protect them and do all I can to ensure their happiness. So, if you’re here looking for somebody, I hope you’re not intending to upset or hurt them in any way.”

He clenched his jaw. “I’m here to resolve some unfinished business, remember?”

“Yes, I do. Personal business. Which, judging by the way you’re looking at me, might irritate the hell out of me.”

She slid her gaze to the side of his seat. “So, why the notebook?”

He glared. Who did she think she was? “Are you kidding me?”

“Far from it.”

“You think I’m going to sit here and let you question me again? For the love of God, I only met you last night.” He leaned forward, matching her posture. “You need to forget you met me. Forget why I’m here. I’m in the Cove for good reason—a reason that has nothing to do with you.”

Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes only hardened further. “Be that as it may, you’ve got me concerned.”

He sat back and crossed his arms. “Why? What business is it of yours who comes into the Cove? Regardless of their purpose.”

She stared at him before looking around the bakery. “I...” She met his gaze and slumped. “Fine. You seem on edge. If I can help—”

“You can’t.”

“Is it Marian? Is that who you’re looking for? Because if it is, you need to know she’s the boss around here.”

God, the woman was canny. He’d give her that much. He sighed, no more able to stay angry with a pretty woman than he could with his mother. “I kind of figured that.”