Finding Haven (25 page)

“Wait. Wait. Talk to me first.” His eyebrows arched with concern.

“I-I can’t wait. He needs to hear this.” Her voice cracked. “I
need
answers.”

Jay looked over her head, and then ushered her into the supply closet before she could
protest. He flipped the light switch and locked the door behind them.

“I’ve never seen you look like this. Can you talk to me first?” He tucked a strand
of hair behind her ear. “Maybe I can help you, darlin’.”

Haven felt all of the pent up hostility and rage seep through her body one deep breath
at a time. Jay stood, his eyes fixed on her, while she inhaled and exhaled the anger
away. His palms cupped her face.

“Can you tell me what has you so upset?”

The only other person she had told was Travis, and though he guarded her family secret,
he wasn’t sympathetic. It made her feel alone. She looked into Jay’s eyes, the pools
of gray-green that warmed her soul, that soothed the desperation taking hold, that
told her everything really would be ok if she let him take care of her.

“I-I— He’s—” She couldn’t get the words out. They were stuck in the back of her throat.
If she said them, he would know how ugly her life was at home.

He drew her against his chest, leaned against the door, and slid to the floor, pulling
her into his lap. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. However,
we’re not leaving this room until I know you are ok. Got it?” He kissed her on the
forehead.

“He’s having an affair.” She blurted it out and the rest of the words followed like
a roller coaster. “He’s cheating on my mom with the island whore.” Then the tears
followed. “My parents have been married thirty years. Who cheats after thirty years?”
She pushed against Jay’s chest to sit up. “I want him to answer for it. I want him
to explain to me how he could do this to her. To us.” She wiped the tears from her
cheeks and felt the anger taking hold again. “I think it’s been going on for years.”

Jay looked stunned. “That is not what I thought you were going to say. Not at all.
Didn’t see that coming.” He tilted his head to the side. “But it does explain a lot.
You can barely stand being in the same room with him.”

“It’s that obvious?”

“Yeah, you clam up and that glow you have dims into something cold. To be honest,
it makes me not like your dad. Anyone who can make you turn that light off has got
to be a dick.”

Haven smiled. She felt the heaviness of the tears on her eyelashes as she closed her
eyes and leaned to kiss him.

“Can I put that in a song?” She broke away to ask.

“You mean I said something lyrical other than bunk?” He shifted back on his hands.

“Yeah, it was poetic.” She inhaled the lingering salt and cologne mixture on his T-shirt.
It would be perfectly fine with her if they stayed in the supply closet for the rest
of the day. She didn’t want to face her father or the world on the other side of the
door.

“Did something happen just now? You had that look of a woman on a mission when you
tore in here.”

Haven thought about Betra and the library. “I ran into
her
. I took my lyrics to the library to copy for you, and she tried to talk to me.” She
paused. “That woman has no idea I know, but I couldn’t even look at her. I ran out
of the library like a lunatic.”

“An understandable lunatic.” He grinned. “That’s a lot to handle.”

She lowered her head. “I haven’t told my mom. I don’t know if I should tell her. I
want to, but it will ruin her. It will destroy her life and everything she knows.
How can I do that to her?”

“I’m not going to tell you what to do. However, you are not the one responsible for
your mother’s unhappiness. You can’t do anything to destroy her life. That’s all on
your dad. That’s between the two of them. You hear me?”

Haven nodded.

“Have you been keeping this all to yourself?” He kept his voice low.

“I told Travis, but we’re not really on speaking terms. It’s the worst secret and
I don’t want to tell anyone. I’m so embarrassed.”

Jay took her by the shoulders. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You didn’t
do anything. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I wish I could fix it for you.”
He sighed.

She worked her way out of his lap to stand. “Thanks for listening and for keeping
me from punching my dad. It helped.”

Jay followed her lead, taking his time to stretch his long legs. “Anytime. Probably
not a good idea to hit him, if you want my opinion. But, if you need
me
to, you know where to find me.” He pulled the strings on his apron and tightened
the knot. “So, what are you going to do?”

Haven reached for the lock. “I don’t know, but I’m not going to do it today—and not
in a crazy rage. Thank you.” She perched on her toes to kiss him. “I feel much better.
The problem is still there, but I feel better.”

“Then, my job is done. I’ve to get back outside. It’s so hot today everyone wants
to snorkel. I haven’t told anyone yet you can’t see your hand in front of your face
if you swim in the creek. They can figure that out on their own.” He chuckled. “You
good?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” She smiled as he checked both directions in the hall before walking
back to the docks.

She took another deep breath and reached for the light. The problem with her father
still existed, but Jay had kept her from doing something she would have regretted.
He was balance and reason, fire and lightning, all in one. She pulled the storage
door behind her, knowing she needed all those things more than the air she breathed.

B
REES WAS
known for its annual crawfish festival. Texans flocked from all over the state to
hear their favorite bands, compete in the cook-off contest, and fill up on cotton
candy and funnel cakes. Evan’s mother always donated cookies for the church’s baked
goods stand, and his older sister usually ended up selling them. When Haven told him
Perry Island’s Sea Breeze festival was this week, it was hard not to think of home.

Owen’s General Store was the biggest sponsor of the event, and all week the staff
had been putting in extra hours to help the village gear up for the all-day shindig.

It didn’t matter to Evan that Friday was supposed to be his day off. He gripped the
corner of a banner and took the steps of the ladder until he was eye level with the
fire station’s garage door.

“Don’t fall,” Haven called from the ground.

“Darlin’, I’ve got balance. Don’t you worry.” He fastened the ties to the hooks above
the door. He guessed a few banners had been hung in this spot before. “How’s this?”

“Perfect.”

He tied the final knot and descended until he was next to Haven. Inside the fire station,
the women from church were setting up tables and securing plastic tablecloths with
tape.

“What goes on in there?” He pointed to the busy women.

Haven smiled, pulling her hair off her neck. He wanted to kiss her, but they were
surrounded by a conservative audience. “Oh, that’s where they set up the crafts. Blankets,
pot holders, Christmas ornaments—you know that kind of thing. I think there’s a raffle
for one of those new titanium rods my dad just got in. He donated it. All the money
goes to the school.”

Evan watched the women work. It was familiar. It reminded him he needed to call home
and check in on his mom.

“I’ve been eyeing those rods all summer. I think I’ll have to buy a few tickets.”

She released the makeshift ponytail, and her hair layered around her shoulders. Hell,
he didn’t care if half of the state watched. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled
her into his arms.

“Hey, you two,” Nell scolded only a few feet away.

Haven giggled and looked into his eyes. “Maybe later?”

Begrudgingly, he let his hands fall from her hip and growled. The ladies arranging
doilies started to whisper, and he knew it was a battle he had lost.

“Jay, why don’t you help me move some of these boxes?” Nell struggled with the tailgate.

“Hold on, hold on.” Evan rushed over to help the older woman, who couldn’t weigh more
than ninety pounds.

“I have to get back to the store for the afternoon, but I’ll come by to check on you.”
Haven laughed as she pulled her bike from the fire station rack. “I think Nell will
keep you busy for a while.”

He loaded his arms with boxes, the contents a mystery, and walked into the station.
“See you later, killer.”

D
ENTON
O
WEN
strolled next to Evan and patted him on the back. “Thanks for all of your help yesterday
getting the festival set up.” Haven’s father spoke over the band playing.

“Sure thing. I didn’t mind.”

Evan liked the man. He just didn’t like his decisions and how they affected Haven.

Most everyone had gone home mid-afternoon to clean up for the night’s festivities.
There was a popular beach music band, and the street was roped off for dancing. The
local crowd was reappearing one by one, freshly showered and wearing their favorite
dancing shoes. Evan felt right at home in his khaki shorts and flip-flops.

“There you are.” Maura joined them. “I couldn’t get out of the fire station until
now. Hi, Jay.” She smiled.

“Hi, ma’am.” He watched as she reached up on her toes to kiss her husband’s cheek.

“Where’s Haven?” She peeked around Evan.

Evan had been wondering the same thing. “She said she would meet me here.” He glanced
at his watch. It was seven thirty. Fifteen minutes past when she agreed to be at the
dance. “Maybe I should call her. I’ll be right back.” He left the Owens and walked
toward his Jeep.

He had parked in the store’s employee lot so he wouldn’t have to contend with traffic.
Although, he had to laugh at himself. Traffic problems on the island consisted of
five cars at one stop sign. It was nothing like L.A. or Atlanta traffic.

He pulled on the handle of the passenger side and flipped the latch on the glove box.
He liked life without a cell phone in his pocket. Before he could pick up the device,
he felt hands slide around his waist. He jumped.

“What the—?” He spun on his heels to find Haven wearing a smile and a sundress that
showed off her tanned shoulders.

“Scare you?” She giggled.

“What? Me? No way.” He closed the door behind him and the space that separated them.
“Come here.”

She lunged into his arms, and he picked her up by the waist, crushing his lips into
hers. She tasted like strawberries and smelled like the sweetness of the sun.

Haven looped her hands around his waist and pressed her forehead to his. “Sorry I’m
so late. I couldn’t decide on what to wear.” He felt her chest rising and falling
against him. He loved it when they were close like this.

He lowered her carefully until her flip-flops touched the gravel surface. His finger
traced the neckline of the dress. There were tiny flowers on it, but he liked the
goose bumps he was creating on her skin as he played with the fabric. “This one looks
pretty on you.” It took serious restraint not to peel it off her in the back of his
Jeep. “I was just getting ready to call you.”

“I sent you a few texts. Why don’t you keep your phone on you?” She placed her hand
into his palm as they turned toward the street.

He sighed. “Because sometimes it’s nice to be unavailable.”

“Except when I’m trying to call you to tell you I’m late.” She poked him in the side.

“Yeah, except for that.” He laughed.

The band started another number, and from their vantage point, they could see the
festivalgoers pairing off to dance.

“Are you ready to shag?” She looked at him expectedly.

“Uh, darlin’, don’t you think we should be alone for that? Although, don’t get me
wrong, I like the way you’re thinking.” They walked closer to the crowd.

She swatted him on the chest. “No. Not
that
.” She pointed to the dancers. “
That’s
shagging.”