No Sunshine When She's Gone (3 page)

Aidan looked up. The lady was plump and wore a bright blue caftan. She sat down with a flourish and the wooden chair groaned. A pair of purple-framed eyeglasses rested on the top of her head. Her crystal prism earrings dangled nearly to her shoulders. She fanned her face with her hand and said, “I apologize for taking such a long break. I was in need of a cold drink. Are you here for a reading?”

“Thanks, but we just had one,” said Aidan.

The woman smiled warmly. “I hope it was good for you.”

“Aries is a wonder,” Lila said halfheartedly.

The woman raised an eyebrow. “Aries, you say?”

“This is her table,” said Lila. “We spent twenty minutes with her.”

The woman shook her head. “That’s impossible,” she said, pushing up the sleeve on her caftan. She showed them the tattoo at her wrist: a ram depicted her astrological birth sign, and her name was scrolled between its horns. “I’m Aries Martine.”

The tat didn’t lie.

Then who the hell was the brunette? Aidan wondered.

He was about to find out.

He rose so fast he knocked into the table. His strides were long and purposeful as he took off after the psychic imposter. Being deceived twice in one day did not sit well with him. Not well at all.

J
illian Mac walked with a purpose; she
sensed
she was being followed, no doubt by Aidan Cates. The sooner she left the boardwalk, the better. She had several blocks to go.

The thickening crowd slowed her pace. Plowing people down wasn’t an option. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. She was already overexposed; she’d just given a reading based on fact, and not on psychic ability.

She was impulsive at times, and some would say she’d pulled a fast one. Others would call her a fraud. To her credit, she saw the reading as saving a man from a fickle woman. Although Aidan might not see it her way. He’d view her as interfering with his life.

She glanced over her shoulder and spotted a tall, dark-haired man in a white shirt bearing down on her. Her heart quickened. Was she being paranoid? Or was that Aidan?

There were too many tourists between them to be absolutely sure. She wasn’t ready to face him. Hiding seemed a good idea. All the stores had adjoining walls and multicolored doors. She could enter a shop and wait him out. A bright tangerine door beckoned her. She ducked into Three Shirts to the Wind.

The store was packed; it was wall to wall people. She looked around and got the layout of the place. She decided on a disguise. The T-shirt shop had everything she would need.

She quickly selected a pair of sunglasses from the showcase on the front counter, then a red, wide-brimmed sun hat from a hook on the wall. A cotton shirt off a circular rack came next before she headed toward the dressing rooms. A man came out of one room, and Jill cut in line, drawing frowns from those waiting to try on clothes. She rushed out an apology that included the word
emergency
.

In her mind the situation
was
dire. A confrontation with Aidan would be a disaster. She’d seen his face when he’d discovered that Lila was a liar. A muscle had ticked along his jaw line, and creases had deepened at the corners of his eyes. Yet he’d remained cool; he was a man who could control his anger.

Pretending to be clairvoyant had come easy to Jill. Right time, right place. She’d told the truth, as she’d seen it. Aidan, however, might not see it her way. She would land on his short list of those not to trust. He appeared a strong, proud man, and would never admit he’d dodged a bullet. Not to her anyway.

She stood now in the small dressing room, barely big enough for one person. The lock was loose, with a screw missing. There was a full-length mirror on the wall and a row of pegs for hangers on the other. She breathed a little easier. Aidan would never find her here.

She hooked the strap on her shoulder bag on a short peg, then checked out the articles she’d grabbed as she’d torn down the aisle. All items were workable. She’d be unrecognizable. She exhaled, sighed, relieved.

She changed her top first. Pulling off her yellow crop, she slipped on her new blue tee. The gold logo read:
What Happens on the Boardwalk Stays on the Boardwalk.
She certainly hoped so. She didn’t want her employer to catch wind of her antics. She was in town on business, and was expected to be professional at all times. Even a minor slipup could cause a domino effect down the road.

She next tucked her hair beneath the red hat. She curved the wide brim down low on her forehead. Her retro sunglasses had mirror lenses. Anyone looking at her would see his own reflection. She could have the price tags cut off at the cash register. Then wear her concealing outfit when she left the store. She’d mix with the townies and tourists. Easy enough, she thought, crossing her fingers.

However, nothing in Jill’s life had ever been simple or trouble-free. Things got complicated in the best of times. A hard knock on the dressing room door made her jump. She nearly came out of her skin when Aidan Cates put his shoulder to the door and the lock broke. He walked in without an invitation. Heaven help her. He was a man on a mission.

She held up one hand, holding him off. “This changing room is taken.” Her voice sounded unnaturally high. “You have no right to barge in.”

“My cousin Jenna owns Three Shirts,” he stated. “Being family opens doors.”

The door closed behind him; the frame was slightly off-center. The space seemed to shrink. His presence pressed her back to the wall. She was trapped between the mirror and the man. He was a lot bigger up close than he’d appeared seated on the wooden chair. He stole all her air.

His gaze locked on her as he flattened his hands on either side of her head and leaned in. He was way too close for her comfort. “Aries Martine”—he got right to the point—“you and I need to talk.”

So much for her disguise, she thought. The man was a human bloodhound. He’d tracked her down. She lifted her chin and warned, “Get out or I’ll scream.”

“Be my guest, the louder the better,” he dared her. “Jenna will come. Maybe you could give her a reading, too.”

What an ass. Jill had heard the Cateses were numerous, and that they had each other’s backs. That didn’t bode well for her. She’d be seen as an outsider, when she needed to settle into the community. Quietly, and without drama.

A shift of his broad shoulders, and his body intimately touched hers. Everywhere. They stood so snuggly, he could’ve been her lover.

The hard bill on his baseball cap poked the soft brim of her sun hat.

His mouth was close enough to kiss her.

His lips were slightly parted; his breath was mint-scented.

His stubble was sexy and edgy.

Her breasts brushed his chest.

Her hipbones grazed his groin.

His stance was wide, and her legs fit between his.

His leather boots bumped her bare toes.

His cologne was sunshine and musk.

His intensity both shook and seduced her. She needed him to step back while she was still thinking straight. She could lose herself in this man, she realized. She couldn’t let that happen.

She licked her lips, and he stared at her moist mouth. A harsh look meant to scare her. Instead of feeling fear, her stomach fluttered. “What do you want?” she finally managed.

“An explanation, woman.”

She shook her head. “I have nothing to clarify.” “You’re not psychic.”

“I
sense
you’re mad.”

“I see guilty people.”

“That’s a gift.”

His mouth tightened. He didn’t find her funny. “I met the real Aries Martine shortly after you left,” he told her. “She returned to her table.”

Bad timing there. “How did you know she wasn’t impersonating me?” she asked.

“She had her name tattooed on her wrist.”

Busted
. “You followed me here to tell me about her tat?” Doubtful, but she’d say anything to distract him.

“I came after you to press charges.”

“Charges?” He had to be joking. The man was making a federal case out of nothing. Her mother had always said that if stretching the truth benefited someone or bettered a situation, then it wasn’t a lie. It made life bearable. “Pretending to be psychic isn’t a crime. As I see it, I did you a favor. You owe me.”

His gaze narrowed. “Owe you? You’re crazy, lady.”

“I saved you from getting married.”

His jaw worked. “There were no wedding plans.”

“Lila thought differently.”

“Our relationship was over.”

“But you’d yet to walk away.”

“I was about to take the first step.”

“I gave you a push.”

“I didn’t need your help.”

“I think you did.”

“Don’t do my thinking for me.”

She couldn’t make that promise.

He eyed her suspiciously. “How did you find out about Lila and Roger in the first place?” he asked.

She hated feeling cornered. She needed air. Flattening her palm on his abdomen, she pressed him back. He had stacked bricks for a six-pack, and didn’t move a muscle. “Give me space and we’ll talk,” she bargained.

He eased back, gave her an inch. He then swiped the sun hat from her head and placed it on a hook. Her hair fell below her shoulders, mussed and unruly. He slipped off her mirrored sunglasses next, forcing her to look him in the eye. She crossed her arms protectively over her chest; her T-shirt stayed on.

“The truth,” he said. “Start from the beginning.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Give me the Cliff Notes. I don’t have all day.”

Neither did she. However, bossing her around would get him nowhere. She took her sweet time, silently counting to sixty before saying, “I arrived in Barefoot William yesterday afternoon.” She’d been road weary. She and her administrative assistant, Carrie Waters, had driven separate cars straight through from Richmond. It had taken them eighteen hours.

They had reserved two adjoining rooms at the Barefoot Inn, a popular bed and breakfast. They would remain there until they could find the right apartment or house to rent. They’d be in town a year, maybe longer. The ball club had compensated their relocation. James Lawless wanted them comfortable. Jill hoped to find a place within walking distance of the beach; the ideal spot to spend her free time.

Carrie was the most organized person who Jill knew. She had walked into her bedroom and immediately unpacked. She’d then skipped dinner and gone to bed. Jill, on the other hand, had been exhausted, but too hyped to sleep. She felt as if she were still driving. She needed to keep moving. She’d taken a shower, and then rummaged through her antique suitcase for fresh clothes. The suitcase had once belonged to her grandmother. Made with fabric-covered wood, it was edged with leather and covered with travel stickers. Two brass buckles closed the case.

The remainder of her clothes hadn’t been wrinkled, so she hadn’t bothered to hang them up. She’d been known to live out of a suitcase for months on end. While she felt grounded with her career, she was still flighty in her personal life. A full satchel gave her a sense of freedom. She could pick up and leave at any time. She didn’t do permanence well. She never had.

She enjoyed dining alone. She valued time to herself. She’d wanted to experience Barefoot William, and had chosen a restaurant within walking distance. It had felt good to stretch her muscles.

She blinked when Aidan snapped his fingers near her nose. “You’re drifting on me,” he said to move her along. “You arrived in town, then what?”

“I ate dinner at Steamers,” she said, “the same restaurant as Lila and Roger. They were seated moments after me. Their booth backed mine.”

The clam shack had a seafaring ambiance. Fishermen’s netting stretched across the ceiling, and enormous boat anchors, oceanic photos, and street signs—
LOBSTER CROSSING
and
BLUE CRAB WAY
—decorated the walls. Hurricane lamps lighted the dining room. Scents of garlic and butter had whetted her appetite.

“I ordered seafood chowder and blackened sea bass,” she told him. “The food was excellent.”

Aidan wasn’t interested in her menu choices. He tapped his watch, telling her to speed things up. She skipped the fact she’d had key lime pie for dessert.

“I hadn’t planned on eavesdropping on Roger and Lila’s conversation,” she recalled, “but Lila doesn’t know how to whisper. Her voice rose when she mentioned your name.”

Jill had perked up when she’d heard Aidan Cates’s name. He was one of her contacts in Barefoot William. His reputation preceded him, so she knew more about him than he knew about her. He wouldn’t like that fact. She could tell he preferred the upper hand.

His construction company had been hired to build the Richmond Rogues Spring Training Facility. Her boss had indicated Aidan was the best commercial builder in the business. Aidan had traveled to Richmond, where he’d spoken with James Lawless, owner and CEO of the team.

Gossip among the women in the front office hinted that he was handsome and single with an engaging smile. Jill had only seen him snarl.

“What did Lila say about me?” he prodded.

“It’s hurtful,” she warned.

“I’m a big boy. I can handle it. I want the truth.”

That was fine by her. “Lila said that she was dating you, but was in love with Roger.”

His expression was unreadable. “Go on,” he said.

She did so. “Roger very calmly told Lila that he cared about her, but he didn’t love her. Lila lost it. She tossed a glass of ice water at him, and then threatened to marry you within a month. She stormed off. Roger started to follow her, but didn’t take more than a few steps. He returned to his booth, wiped his face with a napkin, and ordered coffee and a piece of honey mango cake.”

Jill had watched Lila leave in a swirl of black satin and clicking high heels. The spicy scent of her perfume had lingered. Roger had worn a tan suit. They’d both been overdressed for such a casual restaurant. The other customers sported T-shirts and jeans. Sandals and sneakers.

“That covers last night,” said Aidan. “What about today?”

She picked up with, “I was on the boardwalk, checking out the shops and the psychic fair like everyone else.”

The readings had looked like fun, but Jill wasn’t one to stand in long lines. She was too impatient. Besides, she liked her future to unfold one day at a time. She wasn’t in a rush. She didn’t need anyone predicting her tomorrows.

“I was barefoot,” she added. She’d left her beaded disc sandals in her car. “More than one person stepped on my toes, so I sat down to rest at the first free table.”

Once seated, she’d wished that the wooden chair had been a hammock. She’d been in the mood for a nap. She’d left Richmond’s blustery winds and cool fifty degree temperatures behind. The warmth of the sun had lulled her, leaving her drowsy. She’d started yawning.

But all relaxation had fled when Lila approached her for a reading. “I had no idea your date would mistake me for Aries Martine,” she told him. “She obviously hadn’t seen me at Steamers.”

The couple’s confrontation had rattled Jill. She didn’t like arguments. She’d slumped down in her seat, not wanting to call attention to herself. Still, she’d heard their every word. Apparently Lila’s focus had been on Roger and not on the other diners.

“Gathering what I had learned from last night, I decided to play along,” she said. “I’ve been two-timed, and wished someone had told me what was going on behind my back.”