Christmas Haven (12 page)

“Does she have children of her own?”

“She has a daughter. Her son died when he was a teenager. He got drunk and wrapped his car around a tree. Sometimes I feel like she’s in this line of work to make up for not being there for him. It’s so tragic, but it wasn’t her fault.”

Morgan wondered why she couldn’t give herself that same kind of compassion and understanding in regards to Suzy.

“Has she ever made threats?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Where does she live, Jules?”

“Seattle. Ballard, I think.”

“I’ll check it out.” Morgan walked her to his truck and opened the door. “Let’s get you home.”

Later that day, Julie and Edith had just started preparing supper when Lana called to check in, heard Mom was making her specialty—baked honey-nut chicken, broccoli and herbed biscuits—and invited herself over.

Mom had spent the day reorganizing, cleaning and washing windows to let in the light. The house almost felt warm
and welcoming. Almost. The dark walls and cherry furniture still cast a bleak shadow throughout the downstairs living area. Julie knew that wouldn’t last long if Mom had her way. Julie could just see Mom tying up her hair in her red bandanna and getting to work with a bucket of paint.

“Lana said Ashley might be joining her, and where Ashley goes, Sketch follows.” Mom shot Julie a smile over her shoulder as she put the biscuits in the oven.

“Should we call Morgan and ask if that’s okay?” Julie asked.

“He won’t mind. He’s very gracious that way, although he’s been a bit cranky lately. Company will cheer him up.”

“He’s worried about his father, huh?” Julie rinsed broccoli spears in the sink.

“No, actually, I think he’s made peace with the Lord about his father’s condition. He’s been more guarded since you came home.”

“Why? I can’t hurt him. He hates me.”

“He could never hate you, sweetie.”

“It’s okay, I deserve it.”

Mom turned off the water and with two gentle hands to her shoulders, turned Julie to face her. “Stop beating yourself up. We all make mistakes, and we’re forgiven through the Lord’s love.”

“Do you think I made a mistake breaking up with Morgan?”

With a sigh, Mom rubbed her hand down Julie’s arm. Just as she was about to speak, the back door burst open and Lana breezed into the kitchen, Ashley right behind her.

“Smells good,” Lana said, cracking the oven door.

“Hey.” Mom grabbed a dish towel and snapped it at Ashley’s backside. “No peeking. I just put those in.”

“The chicken looks amazing, too.” Lana smiled.

“What can I get you girls to drink?” Mom offered.

“I’m good,” Lana said, flopping down at the kitchen table. “I overdid it on the cider.”

“How about you, Ashley?”

“Do you have any hot chocolate?”

“I think Caroline dropped off cocoa in her care package yesterday. Let me see…”

As her mother dug into one of the two grocery bags, Julie sat next to Lana, and Ashley joined them.

“How was the rest of your day?” Julie asked.

“Fan-tastic. Most of the tourists came into the snack shop for lunch, which kept us busy.”

“Do you make enough from tours and sandwiches to cover your expenses?”

“Yep, I always manage to break even. But I couldn’t do it without this wonderful girl.” Lana nodded at Ashley, who blushed. “How was
your
afternoon with Morgan?”

“Tense.”

“I’ll bet.” Lana and Ashley snickered.

“We were going over case files for kids at Teen Life.”

Lana cleared her throat. “Oh.”

Julie hadn’t meant to make her sister feel bad, but honestly, Lana had to stop teasing Julie about her non-romance with Morgan.

“Did you find anything?” Mom asked.

“Not yet. Ethan said my situation might not be related to my work.”

“If not work, then what?” Lana said.

“That’s the fifty-thousand-dollar question. Ethan suggested I might have upset someone.”

“You?” Lana said with a hint of sarcasm.

“What?” Julie challenged.

“Oh, nothing.” She smirked.

“No, I want to hear it.” Julie leaned forward in her chair.

“Girls, no fighting.”

“We’re not fighting, we’re discussing,” Julie said.

“It’s just…” Lana hesitated. “You can be pretty type A. I mean, if you think something should be done a certain way, you’re not very open to other people’s opinions.”

“I listen to people.”

Ashley’s gaze bounced from Lana to Julie and back again.

She was probably thinking it hadn’t been such a good idea to come for dinner.

“I’m not criticizing here,” Lana said. “Lord knows I’ve got my share of challenges. But I can see where someone might take offense to your, let’s call it, determined nature.”

“You’re saying I’m rigid?”

“I’m saying you are very clear about how things should go, which makes you a great leader.”

“You mean bossy.”

The back door swung open and Morgan stepped into the kitchen.

“Saved by the cops, praise the Lord,” Lana greeted.

“What, something wrong?” Morgan suddenly looked worried.

“Sibling disagreement,” Mom said.

“It’s a good thing I have my sidearm,” Morgan joked.

And just like that, the tension lifted. But Julie didn’t forget her sister’s comments, and although it stung, there was a ring of truth to them. Julie was determined and focused. To some that might come off as bossy, but was it enough of a motive to want to hurt her?

“What’s for dinner?” Morgan asked.

“Honey-nut chicken, broccoli and biscuits,” Mom said, sliding cocoa in front of Ashley. “I didn’t think you’d mind a few extras for dinner.”

“Not at all.” Morgan walked over to the closet, took off his gun and put it in his lockbox.

A knock at the back door made Ashley jump up and open it. Sketch stood in the doorway, peering inside. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Ashley greeted.

Julie and Morgan exchanged a knowing glance.

“Invite him in,” Lana encouraged.

“You sure it’s okay, Mrs. Burns?” Sketch asked.

“I’d be offended if you didn’t stay for dinner.”

“In that case…” Sketch stepped into the kitchen and froze at the sight of Morgan. “Oh, I didn’t know the chief was here.”

“It’s my dad’s house, buddy. Where else would I be?”

“Work. You always seem to be working.”

“I’m taking the night off.”

“Completely off?” Sketch said.

“Completely. No danger of me grilling you about breaking into Rutger’s computer and planting a monkey virus.”

All eyes focused on Sketch. “What?” he defended. “Mr. Rutger overcharged Gram on the Impala.”

“That’s between your grandmother and Mr. Rutger, don’t you think?” Morgan said.

“I thought you were off duty,” Sketch countered.

Morgan put up his hands in surrender. “You’re right. Sit down and have some cocoa. We’ll talk monkey viruses tomorrow.”

Sketch hesitated. Ashley slipped her hand into his and led him to the chair next to her. “It’s okay,” she said.

Her tone, the coaxing touch, reminded Julie of a time when she’d had to coax Morgan out of his shell, his dark place.

You can’t go back there. You can never go back.

Julie turned to Morgan, who studied her with question in his eyes.

“So, did you find anything on Helen?” Julie asked.

“Who’s Helen?” Mom asked. “A coworker.”

“We’ll discuss it later. If you’re making cocoa, I could use a cup.” Morgan sat beside Julie.

“Anyone else?” Mom asked. “I’ve got whipped cream and green and red Christmas sprinkles.”

“Mom, let me help.” Julie stood.

Mom waved her off. “I’m fine.”

Morgan touched Julie’s hand, warmth creeping up her arm. “Sit down, relax.”

She glanced at Lana, expecting another smirk or wink. But she was deep into a discussion with Sketch about computer issues at Stone Soup.

Julie eased back into her chair, breaking contact with Mor
gan’s hand. She loved the feel of his gentle touch, but didn’t want to hurt him again. Keeping a physical and emotional distance was the best strategy.

“How did you spend your afternoon?” Morgan asked.

“Helping Mom, mostly. She’s been sprucing up the place to get ready for Christmas.”

“Speaking of which, where are your Christmas decorations, Morgan?” Mom asked.

“In a box somewhere,” he said. His eyes dimmed and his jaw hardened.

“Can you be more specific? I’d love to decorate.”

“Thanks, but it’s not necessary.”

Mom turned to Morgan. “Maybe not, but I’d love to do that for you and your dad, as a thank-you for letting us take up residence in his house.”

“Really, there’s no need.”

Julie sensed something else was going on here, and didn’t want Mom to keep pushing.

“What exciting things was the police chief up to today other than trying to solve his ex-girlfriend’s crisis?” Julie asked.

“Busywork. Boring to a city girl like you.”

He was on the attack again. Probably defending himself from whatever he was hiding about the Christmas decorations.

“I’m still a small-town girl at heart,” Julie heard herself say. And it was true.

The tension in his face eased. “Someone keyed Mrs. Meyers’s car and someone else vandalized the public restroom in town.”

“How do you know it was someone else?” Sketch said.

“You have something you want to share, kid?”

Sketch shifted back in his chair. “No, I…I just mean, I don’t know, I just—”

Ashley must have squeezed his hand under the table, because he stopped talking.

“Hey, I’m not interrogating you,” Morgan assured. “It just
seems like vandalizing is a kid thing to do, and since you’re a teenager you might have some insight into the subject.”

“No, I don’t have any insight.” Sketch glanced down.

A hush fell over the room.

“Dinner’s ready,” Mom announced, followed by yet another knock at the door.

“Anderson probably smelled your cooking from next door and doesn’t want to miss out.” Morgan went to answer the door and hesitated. He placed his hand on the teenager’s shoulder and Sketch looked up at him.

“It’s all good,” Morgan said with a smile.

Morgan opened the door and a cop stood on the porch.

“Scott,” Morgan greeted.

“Can I have a word outside?” the cop said. He looked to be in his twenties, with short, black hair and a serious expression.

“What’s wrong?” Julie said.

“Nothing, ma’am. Sorry to interrupt. Police business.”

Morgan joined him on the back porch and shut the door.

“Girls, help me set the table,” Mom said.

Julie and Lana got up and pulled down plates and silverware, but Julie’s attention was riveted on the men outside having a serious discussion. As if he sensed her watching him, Morgan glanced through the window and shot Julie a half smile.

She knew that smile. He was covering for something.

“Ashley, can you take over?” Julie asked.

“Sure.”

Julie went onto the porch. “What is it?”

“Julie, this is Deputy Chief Scott Finnegan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Scott said.

“Something’s happened, hasn’t it?” she asked.

The deputy chief glanced at Morgan, but didn’t answer.

“It can’t be worse than what my imagination is dreaming up right now,” Julie said. “Please, Morgan, tell me.”

“A stranger in town.” Morgan paused. “He’s been asking about you.”

EIGHT

M
organ turned back to Scott, fearing if he looked too long at Julie’s vulnerable expression, he’d lose it and pull her into his arms.

“City Hall and where else?” Morgan asked.

“The Turnstyle. Anna called me about it.”

“Did she get a description?”

Scott referred to his notebook. “Fifties, fair-skinned, red hair. He was wearing jeans, a navy shirt, cargo-type jacket and black boots, like work boots. Plus, she got a partial plate number.”

“That’s pretty good for a civilian.”

“What did you expect? She’s been hanging out with the police chief.”

Dead silence stretched between the three of them. Morgan felt as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. But he had no reason to feel that way. Whom he dated was his business.

“Anything else?” Morgan asked.

“She tried getting information out of him, but he was pretty guarded. Still, she found out he was from Seattle, has two kids and went to Seattle U. And—” Scott glanced at Morgan “—he asked for hotel suggestions.”

“Did Anna recommend anything?”

“The Blue Goose and the Port Whisper Inn.”

“Good girl,” Morgan whispered.

“What? Why good girl?” Julie challenged.

“Because if he took her recommendations, we know where to find him.”

“Do you think…?”

“I’m not thinking anything just yet.” He turned back to Scott. “Did you run the plates?”

“Not yet.”

“Do it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What about fishing licenses for the island today?”

“Still working on it.”

“Good, keep me posted.”

Scott nodded at Julie. “Nice to meet you. Good night.”

Morgan and Julie watched the deputy get into his cruiser and take off.

“How did they find me?” Julie said, with a trembling voice.

Morgan took her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Jules. Let’s go inside. I’ll call the Blue Goose and Port Whisper Inn to see if anyone checked in today.”

“The Port Whisper Inn,” she said, wistful. “Morgan, I’ve put Caroline in danger.”

“We don’t know that. Honey—” he searched her eyes “—look at me.”

She glanced up with teary golden eyes.

“None of this is your fault, okay?”

She nodded and he led her inside, where her mom was serving dinner to the chatty group.

“I don’t get what would make the hard drive conk out like that,” Lana said.

“Doesn’t matter, as long as you have a backup,” Sketch said.

“I have one—that doesn’t mean I remember to use it.”

“I can set you up with an auto-backup program so you don’t have to think about it.”