“I’m so glad you broke it off.”
Vanessa’s blue eyes sparkled. “My protector. You mother everyone.”
Delilah made a face. “Sorry, I can’t help it. I hope you never get another call from him.”
“Me too. At first Keith seemed so sweet and caring. He was always calling to see how my day went. I got a little present from him about every day. Then all that attention turned suffocating when he moved close enough to see my house and notice anytime I left. It happened so gradually that I didn’t see it until you pointed it out.”
Vanessa took another sip of her coffee, and her eyes were coy over the top of the coffee cup. “The sheriff came right out, didn’t he? I could see the concern on his face. All it would take is a little encouragement for him to ask you out.”
“Why is it that every time someone is in love they want to make sure everyone else is in a relationship? I’m happy just like I am. I love my life. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Liar. She wanted the same thing Vanessa did. A real family, not just a family circle she was lucky enough to be invited into.
Vanessa picked up a bagel with strawberry cream cheese. “What’s up with that, Delilah? You’re always so willing to jump in and help everyone, but at the same time, you keep most people at arm’s length. I was lying in bed last night thinking about how I consider you my best friend, but I don’t know much about your early life. You never talk about it. We talk about things going on here, but never about what it was like for you growing up.”
Heat scorched Delilah’s cheeks. “I’m a boring topic. Besides, it’s in the past and I don’t want pity.”
Vanessa’s brows rose and she set the bagel back down. “What happened? Some things never get better until you drag them out of the closet and let the light hit them.”
The bite of bagel Delilah had just taken tasted like sand, but she swallowed it down with a sip of her mocha. She hadn’t talked about all this in years, and now questions seemed to be coming at her from every side. Maybe it was a sign from God that she needed to wipe away the cobwebs and let the sunlight in to the deepest corners of her life. The thought made her lungs compress.
She took another sip of coffee to delay, then set the cup back on the black-and-white checkered tablecloth. She told Vanessa about her parents’ deaths. “I was in the car, too, and should have drowned, but there was a pocket of air in the backseat from how the car landed in the water. I remember screaming and screaming until some guy opened the back door and got me out.”
The color drained from Vanessa’s face. “You watched your parents drown? Yesterday must have been doubly terrifying. No wonder you don’t like to talk about it. I’m so sorry. Where did you go then?”
“Lots of foster homes.”
Vanessa winced. “What happened to cause the accident? Did you ever hear?”
Delilah thought about it. “I remember the steering wasn’t working right. Dad said something about the power steering pump going out. He knew it was acting up, but he hadn’t had the money to get it fixed. He was a mechanic.” Even at her age, the smell of grease brought back her dad.
“Why didn’t your parents release their seat belts and get out or at least get in the back with you to the bubble of air?”
“Dad had hit his head and wasn’t moving. His eyes were closed. Mom kept trying to get loose, but I think she was so panicked that she wasn’t flipping the seat belt right.” Her eyes burned. “I should have helped somehow. Gone into the front and gotten her free.”
“You were a kid, Delilah. There was nothing you could do.” Tears glimmered in Vanessa’s eyes too. “Did you have siblings?”
“I had an older brother. He wasn’t with us because he had just gone off to a new job in California.”
“Do you ever see him?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never been able to find him. When our parents died, the authorities tried to contact him, but they couldn’t find him. His name was Adam.” She hadn’t even said his name in so long, and a deep longing swept over her. How long had it been since she’d looked for him? At least ten years. It wouldn’t hurt to look again.
FOUR
THE WIND BLEW OFF THE OCEAN IN GUSTS AS TOM WALKED out onto the Tidewater Pier, where a figure sat with her feet dangling off the edge. Fishing pole in hand, Delilah huddled inside her jacket with the hood up. As he approached, he saw two striped bass in the cooler beside her.
Wind-tossed dark curls peeked out the sides of her hood as she turned a smile his direction, which made him gulp as he settled beside her. “Looks like a good day. Enough for dinner?”
She pushed her hood down and nodded. “We only have two rooms rented this time of year, so I think I’ll have enough. Those are big ones.”
“Should be good eating.” Gulls swooped overhead as they enjoyed the bit of winter sunshine. “I wanted to let you know that I checked up on Pete Johnson.”
She inhaled, and her hands shook a bit as she pulled in her pole and laid it aside. “Is he here on the island?”
Her hand was cold when he put his over it. “He’s in prison, Delilah. He got out for a year but went right back in for attempted murder. He’s not getting out for a long, long time.”
Her lashes swept down over the deep blue of her eyes, and she clung to his hand. When she looked up again, a frown crouched on her brow. “Then who ran me off the road?”
“Wish I knew. We won’t find him with a check on trucks. He stole Josh Holman’s truck and used it to ram you, then returned it. Josh told me about it today.”
“I’d hoped we’d track him down quickly.”
That had been Tom’s hope too. “The caller yesterday said you knew what he wanted. Can you think of anyone else who might have a grudge against you? There has to be something.”
She shook her head. “I’ll think about it, but I’m not the type who goes around making enemies. I like most people, and I try to be a peacemaker in everything. It’s so odd.”
Her fingers entwined around his in a trusting way that made him want to scale castle walls for her. “I’ve asked all the bed-and-breakfasts and hotels in town to give me a list of visitors. This time of year we don’t have many, so it should be easy enough to investigate.”
“Someone could be visiting friends or relatives too.”
“True enough. What about the two rooms you have rented? Ever seen the visitors before?”
“Oh yes, they are both regulars. They’ve been coming here for Christmas for years. Lovely people.”
“I’ll still want their names so I can check them out. E-mail me anything you know about them.”
“All right, but I know it’s not them.” She still made no move to pull her hand away.
Several dolphins leaped in the water off to their left, and the sound of the waves was a soothing backdrop. Tom considered asking her to dinner, but the timing didn’t seem right with her on edge from the scare. Or was it his own nervousness about being turned down?
“You probably shouldn’t be out here alone, you know,” he said. “Someone could come right out here and toss you off the pier.”
“I’m a strong swimmer.”
“There’s a riptide that runs the shoreline this time of year. And hypothermia can set in fast. You’ve got to start thinking smart about this guy. Whatever game he’s playing isn’t over.” With reluctance he removed his hand and stood. “I’d better get to finding him. You holding up okay?”
“I’m keeping busy with the wedding approaching. Are you attending?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. You’re pulling it all together for Elin, aren’t you? More of your mothering?”
Smiling, she rose. “You’re the second person to mention that today. Am I that bad?”
“I think it’s sweet the way you care for everyone.” The words were out of his mouth before he could call them back. “I mean, most people think only of themselves, but you’re diffe
rent.” Her gaze was locked to his, and he took a step nearer. “I like that. You care, and it shows.” His voice went gruff, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t take her in his arms.
What was wrong with him? He usually had no trouble keeping women at arm’s length, but lately he’d realized how empty his life had become. He existed at the fringes of his friends’ and family’s orbits with no real life of his own. His work had been everything to him after Holly’s death ten years ago. It had been enough for a long time, but it wasn’t as satisfying anymore. Holly had been a sweet wife, and though he hadn’t intended to lock himself up in a house alone for the rest of his life, that’s exactly what he’d done. How did he go about breaking free of the reins that pulled him in every time he thought of dating? He hadn’t thought he’d be such a coward about being hurt again. Some protector he was when he couldn’t throw off his own fear.
Delilah touched his arm. “Thanks for trying to help, Tom. It means more than you know.”
He touched his fingers to his hat. “Talk to you soon. Don’t go out alone after dark. No walks down the road or along the beach unless Alec is with you, okay?”
“Yes, Sheriff Worrywart.” The hint of a smile lifted her lips, and her eyes were soft. “I’ll e-mail you with those names.”
He nodded and walked back down the pier toward shore. If he turned around, would she be watching? He couldn’t bring himself to check.
The last of the dying sunlight shone through the double windows in Delilah’s studio apartment on the top floor of Tidewater Inn. The room was large with a queen bed taking up one side of the room, and a small love seat and two chairs occupied the other side. Her small kitchenette held a single sink, a short run of counter, and a small fridge. She’d brought her sewing machine up from the butler’s pantry to work on the wedding dress.
Her back ached from sewing beads and sequins back into place. She reclined and rubbed her burning eyes. The wedding dress needed only to be pressed now, and it was ready for the wedding.
Lifting the heavy folds, she returned the dress to the padded hanger and raised it to the tall hook on the wall. Elin would be so pleased. Someone tapped at her door, and she went to open it.
Her hair in a ponytail and dressed in yoga clothes, Libby stood outside. Her face was pink and slightly damp. “I’m probably smelly from my workout, but I’m so mad I could spit.”
Delilah stood aside. “What’s wrong? You look hot. I’ve got cold-pressed green juice in the fridge. Want some?” At Libby’s nod, Delilah grabbed a bottle and handed it to her hot friend. “Sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”
Libby dropped into one of the chairs and took a swig of the cold juice. “I got a call from the florist, and they won’t be able to deliver the flowers you ordered for Elin’s wedding. They’re going out of business.”
“You’re kidding! Without at least fulfilling the orders they have?” Delilah’s mind raced trying to figure out how to get the flowers in only five days. While the order wasn’t huge, it was specific with Elin really wanting lily of the valley in her bouquet.
Libby took another gulp of her juice. “I haven’t told Elin yet. She doesn’t need any more stress.”
Delilah fixed her with a stare. “Neither do you.”
“I’m fine. You’ve already got so much on your plate. I can make some calls for you and see if I can find the flowers.”
Delilah fell silent as she thought about it. While she didn’t want to add to Libby’s workload, finding more flowers was going to be a hassle. And she didn’t know how reliable the other florists were. She’d trusted Hope Beach Floral, and they had always come through for her. “I probably ought to make a trip to Kill Devil Hills and actually look at what they’ve got.”
“Like you have time for that.” The flush on Libby’s face was beginning to fade. “Though Tom has a nice big boat, and he could run you over in a jiffy. Much faster than waiting on the ferry.”
Delilah wagged a finger at her. “I see your nefarious plan.”
“Brilliant, isn’t it?” Libby’s grin was unrepentant. “I’m not going to let up until you at least go out with him. This would be an awesome first date.” Her gaze wandered away, and she took another sip.
Delilah narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Spill it. What aren’t you telling me?”
Color washed up Libby’s face again. “I already asked him, okay? I knew you’d never let me take on some of the work, and I knew you’d want to go to some other towns. So I called him.”
Delilah gaped. “Libby, you didn’t!”
Libby’s chuckle held a bit of unease as if she wasn’t sure Delilah wasn’t going to strangle her. “He practically fell over himself in his eagerness to say yes.”
The mental image of that made Delilah choke back a laugh. “You should have talked to me first. So when did he agree to take me? I need to go right away, tomorrow.” She might be able to get out of it if Tom had plans for the next few days.
“He’s coming at seven in the morning.” Libby looked smug. “You didn’t think I would let any loophole develop in my plan, did you?”
Delilah slapped her palm against her forehead. “Why is everyone trying to fix me up with Tom? I mean, he’s a nice man and everything. I like him, I do. Are you trying to get rid of me or something? You want to hire someone else to take my job?” The thought of someone else in this small apartment and behind the reception desk gave her pause. “I’ll just let him know it’s not necessary.”
“You’ll do no such thing! You need a fast turnaround on those flowers, and this is the way to do it. You’ll have a great time too.” Libby rose and went to throw open Delilah’s closet. “What are you going to wear?”
Delilah sighed and joined her at the closet door. “Jeans and a T-shirt.” She reached in and grabbed the shirt she usually wore for painting, then held it up to her chest. “How about this one? Goes with my eyes, doesn’t it?” She batted her lashes at Libby, who burst into laughter.
Libby snatched it away and stuck it back in the closet. “I think these khaki slacks with this blue-and-white sweater would look nice. And those cute red wedges you never wear.”
“I’m picking out flowers, not trying to get Tom’s attention.” But she let Libby lay out the clothes on a straight-backed chair. “I can’t even remember the last time I wore anything but jeans or yoga pants.”
“It’s high time then.” A self-satisfied smile played around Libby’s lips. “Tom won’t know what hit him.”
“You’re expecting way too much out of tomorrow,” Delilah warned.
“We’ll see. Lunch in Kill Devil Hills would be nice. Alec has a car parked in a lot at Kitty Hawk, and you guys can use it to run around.” She dug a set of keys out of her pocket and dropped them into Delilah’s palm. “Have fun.”
“Slave driver.” Delilah walked her to the door, but she couldn’t help a tiny niggle of excitement.
FIVE
DELILAH HADN’T SAID MUCH WHEN TOM ARRIVED AT Tidewater Inn and escorted her to his boat at the pier. The day was around forty-five degrees, and he put her in the warmest spot he could find right next to him in the bridge. He’d brought several blankets and wrapped her in one before they got started. Only a few clouds floated in the pale-blue sky, but the sea breeze zipped right through his Windbreaker.
The boat rose and fell with the whitecaps as he turned the boat toward Kill Devil Hills. A dolphin zipped alongside the boat for a while before zooming off to join its pod. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “You okay?”
The wind lifted her dark curls as she turned her head and smiled at him. “Fine. Thanks for bringing me today. How’d you get off work?”
“Even a sheriff can use a vacation day. I haven’t taken any time off this year at all. I was due.” Had Libby coerced her into coming? Asked him to bring Delilah before talking to her? He wouldn’t ask Libby that for any amount of money though. For on
e thing, he didn’t want to know if it was true.
What would Delilah think if she knew he was looking for her brother? When running the check on her past, he found out she hadn’t heard from her brother in all these years, so he’d decided to try to find Adam for her as a surprise. But the guy hadn’t popped up in his search. It was better not to mention his investigation to Delilah just in case he was dead.
Homes along the shore were decked out with driftwood “trees” decorated with ornaments that shimmered in the sunlight. They should be pretty all lit up. Maybe the excursion would take long enough that their return would be after dark.
Delilah leaned forward as he docked the boat on the sound side in Kitty Hawk. “It’s pretty deserted.” She pointed to a black vehicle. “There’s Alec’s truck.”
Was that a hint of excitement in her voice? At least she was smiling. Whatever had been eating her seemed to have left with the sight of the festive decorations. He helped her off the boat, and she handed him the truck keys.
The Chevy truck started with the first try. “Where to first?”
She consulted a note on her phone. “There are quite a few florists in the area. Let’s start with one in Kill Devil Hills. I could use some coffee too.”
“I am reading your mind. Front Porch Café, right?” He headed the truck toward Highway 158.
“My mouth is already watering.”
He thought about all the things he could say. Like how pretty she looked and how perfect her skin was in the bright morning sunshine. Or how much he liked the navy jacket against her dark curls. In the end he barely mustered up, “I like red shoes.”
Her face went a little pink, and she looked down at her red wedges. “Me, too, but I don’t usually have the courage to wear them. Libby talked me into it though. She said they would feel festive and Christmassy. I’ve been so focused on the wedding that I’ve barely thought about Christmas beyond what I’m fixing for dinner.”
“What do you say we make a day of it and get your Christmas shopping finished then? I need to get a few things too.” Did he just say that? He shot her a glance to see if she was offended, but she turned her head to smile at him, and the tension in his chest released.