Starlight Dunes (29 page)

“I’ll take one of your jewelry boxes,” Brent said from beside her.

River bumped his shoulder. “Aw, thank you.”

“Oh, did you want one, too?” Brent
said with a twinkle in his eyes. He looked over at the now wide-awake Luke. “Looks like nap time is over.”

“Well hello, sweetie. Want to get out of that thing and stretch your legs.”

When Luke nodded, she unsnapped the buckle, set him down on the concrete and handed him a bottle of water. “You look thirsty. Why don’t we check out the rest of the vendors and you hold my hand.” The trio strolled along the row of booths, all the while Luke walked between them gripping their hands in both of his.

“I can’t believe these vendors put their wares together
in such a short amount of time,” River stated. “Oh look, the Fanning Marine Rescue Center has a petting zoo.”

Walking through the open gate
, they were greeted by the sounds of noisy seals, a couple of sea lions and several playful otters. In the middle of the common area, Cord and Keegan had set up a fenced off area that held lambs, goats, cottontail bunnies, an assortment of ducks, and a honey-colored Shetland pony.

River and Brent grinned when they both noticed Luke couldn’t take his eyes off the little horse.

They finally were able to persuade Luke to inch his way over a little at a time until Brent sat the boy astride the animal. Again, to capture the moment, River took out her cell phone making sure she got plenty of pictures from every angle—all the while realizing she’d never been happier than at that very moment.

On a rare day
off, Cord took in the crowd streaming through the gates with his former California Guard buddy, Ryder McLachlan, at his side.

He slapped
Ryder on the back and said, “It’s good to see you again. I might not be able to spend the majority of time with you because I’ve started the core of my classes, but you’re welcome to crash in the guest house at the farm for as long as you need it.”

“I’m happy to work for my keep,”
Ryder offered. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Cord.”

“Good to know.
And hey, I had plenty of help getting back on my feet. I know what it’s like to struggle with a variety of issues. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for Nick and Jordan and Keegan. And I believe in paying it forward.”

“You know I’ll do any kind of work to help out, anything
at all.”

“Since there’s always something to do on a farm,
there’s a lot of ways you can help us out. You should know my offer isn’t entirely altruistic. Taggert Organic is a busy place and getting busier every year, especially the October and November months. Harvesting the seasonal crops is part of it. But this is California where the growing season is year-round. As I told you in my email, I’m well into my fall semester with my classes. Because of that I just don’t have the time to devote to the farm
and
keep up my grades. I don’t want to let Nick down but at the same time, I can’t afford to risk failing any of my courses. I’m committed to becoming a veterinarian before I’m an old man.”

“You aren’t that old.”

“Don’t kid yourself, I am for a student, oldest one in all of my classes. Anyway, there’s enough to keep you busy there, you’ll get a paycheck and a place to stay. Remember though, farm work might not be your cup of tea, so to speak. And if it isn’t, don’t hesitate to say something. It isn’t for everyone. That’s why you should tell me if it doesn’t work for you. Jobs are starting to open up around town. There’s a renovation in the works to bring the elementary school back. With your construction experience, you’d have no trouble hiring on. The only thing is I’m not exactly sure when it will start. But as soon as it does, Nick and Logan could use dependable men like you. Those two are heading up the project. And they are good guys. Make sure you go see Nick or Logan first thing tomorrow morning. And if you do get on, we’ll manage just fine out at the farm. We always do, somehow, some way it always gets done.”

“I’m not opposed to working both jobs
, Cord. Seriously. I could use the dough.”

In the way of buddies, Cord slapped
Ryder on the back. “Believe me, that’s music to my ears. And it’s appreciated.”

“Hey, what else have I got to do? You know though you’ll have to show me the ropes around the farm. I’m a city boy but a quick learner.”

“
You like animals, right?”

“Love them but I’ve mostly been around the domestics, dogs, cats, that sort of thing.
Never milked cows before.”

“It’s all state-of-the art
stuff, no trick to it at all. I’ll show you everything you need to know. And if I happen to miss a step, there’s always Silas or Sammy or half a dozen others around to ask. Don’t be shy either. Taggert Organic is a great place to work. There’s a benefits package. Plus, you get the cottage thrown in as a place to crash. It isn’t much—”

“Are you kidding? It’s better than what I had back in
Philadelphia.”

“Sorry about your girlfriend,
Ryder. Some women can really do a number on us with all the drama and head games they like to play.”

“Looks like you put that behind you
for good. It doesn’t seem like you have to worry about that with Keegan.”

“Keegan and I
definitely had our challenges, but she’s nothing like Cassie. Keegan’s the other half of my heart.”

“
You’re a lucky man.”

“I am indeed.”

“You really gonna be a vet?”

Cord sighed. “If I ever get through the med science
and physics courses I will.”

“
Knowing you, I thought interning would be your problem.”

“
Nope. Turns out, that part’s a piece of cake. Between the farm, Bran’s vet practice here in town and the Rescue Center, I’m getting all the hands-on experience I can handle. Plus I get credit for all of it.”

“I hope you realize how much you’re helping me out.”

“Same goes. Right now, you’re a lifesaver. Oh look, here comes Keegan with Brent and River. Come on, Ryder, I’ll introduce you to some more great folks.”

T
here was something to be said for small towns, especially when you experienced what seemed like every square inch of it on foot.

Luke exhausted himself chasing around
every animal inside the petting zoo. If it hopped, grunted, barked or mewed, Luke had been all over it. River had taken no less than four dozen photos for her newly created digital folder to prove it.

The sun was tipping into the horizon as
River and Brent walked along the sidewalk on Ocean Street side by side as they headed to the Wagoneer with Brent carrying a worn-out Luke. River pushed the empty stroller, gliding along carried by love and happiness—the depth of which she hadn’t felt in two years.

“
I got some great shots today. Those big dark eyes of his were front and center in all of them. It’s a great beginning to adding to the album I have from when he was born. I didn’t have that many. I should’ve taken more. Had I known—”

Brent loved to see her excited, loved it when she got that gleam in her eye
, or simply watching her watch her son. What he didn’t like was to see her fade back into those days without Luke—and so many regrets. Maybe he understood better now spending time dwelling on those things that “might have been” just wasn’t worth it.

“
You’ll make up for it now by taking out your camera more often,” he proposed, glancing over at the boy he held in his arms. “He’ll probably conk out any minute now. Instead of packing him up in the car and you heading back to the inn, how about we get takeout from the Diner. We’ll go back to my place. I’ll call in the order there, maybe talk Mona into delivery with an extra tip.”

“
Sounds like a plan. But you know I can’t spend the night. I don’t want Luke waking up in another strange place he isn’t used to. He’s had enough of that to last a lifetime.”

“
I know. Instead of hot and sweaty s-e-x, we’ll order Max Bingham’s Saturday night special, and stuff ourselves with southern-fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Then I’ll follow you out to the B & B. How’s that sound?”

She giggled.
“The food sounds delicious but I’d prefer the s-e-x.”

They
crossed the street, their minds on how they’d spend the evening—when River waved to a passing couple with two kids in tow, a boy and a girl, heading south toward the Rescue Center—and probably the petting zoo before Cord closed the gates for the night. If the foursome hurried they’d just barely have time for the kids to give the rabbits a hug and take a ride on the pony.

She followed Brent as he led the way up to
his front door. Reaching into his jeans pocket to pull out his keys, he turned to River. “Hold him for a sec, will you, while I jiggle the lock. It’s a little tricky.”

Just as
he was about to stick the key in the door, Brent felt chills go up his spine first, and then Scott’s presence surround him. Without thinking, Brent grabbed River and Luke and dove into the flower bed. Two shots in rapid succession rang out striking the door dead center where they’d just been standing only seconds earlier.

He
motioned for her to stay down as a third shot whooshed over their heads. It was then he noted the sheer terror in River’s eyes as she clung tight to Luke.

Brent crawled to the end of the
dirt, purposely away from River and the boy and took out his cell phone, punched in nine-one-one. “This is Brent Cody. Get your asses over to my place now. I have shots fired again by an unknown assailant.” As he relayed the info, more bullets pinged off the house.

“River, look at me.” He saw the panic and did his best to ignore it. “I want you to remain here, stay down, as low to the ground as possible.”

“Where…where…are you…going?” she stuttered.

“I need my weapon.”
He’d been so distracted by setting up the barricades for the street fair that morning he’d forgotten to strap on his gun. Pinned down now, without disconnecting the call, he inched his way back up and onto the porch, ducking around bullets the entire time.

Using his elbow, he smashed the
pane of glass out of the front window of the living room and dove through the opening. Once inside, he hurried over to where he kept his loaded .45. He then moved to the hall closet to retrieve his Colt rifle.

Ramming
the handgun into the waist of his jeans, he crossed to the front door. Even though he heard sirens in the distance and knew backup was on the way, he was on his own until they arrived.

Throwing open
the door, he shouldered the firearm and went into sniper-mode. Walking out onto the porch, he used the scope to scan the street and the surrounding area.

Brent hunkered down at the end of the porch steps where River still crouched in fear with Luke.
With his hand he signaled for her to move forward through the bushes and behind him into the house. “I’ve got you covered. Come on, River, move toward me.”

All the while he continued to look for the
shooter. But when he looked down at River again, he saw her shake her head and discovered she was too scared to budge.

“River, look at me.
Look at me, honey,” he repeated. “I have to get you and Luke inside and out of the line of fire,” he whispered. “You need to scoot through the dirt on your belly if you have to and move toward me. Now, honey! Do it now! I’ll see that you make it inside I promise. Come on, honey, you can do it.”

He watched as she finally started to slink her way
through the hydrangeas on her hands and knees with Luke creeping along under her, terrified. As soon as she got within arm’s reach he protected Luke, shielding him with his own body while pushing him through the front door. He did the same with River.

By this time the first patrol c
ar careened to a halt. Brent watched as two of his deputies jumped out with guns drawn. They crept behind the car looking for anything that moved.

“
Where did the shots come from, Sheriff?” one officer yelled.

“
Across the street somewhere near the pier.”

A second patrol car pulled to a stop, then another and another until there were half a dozen
cars each carrying two officers.

“F
an out, do a search.” Brent yelled as he stepped back inside to check on River. He found her hiding behind the couch, clutching Luke in her arms. He went over, pulled both of them into his chest. “It’s okay, you’re safe now.”

“Could Wes’s parents have had anything to do with this?” River said in between quick breaths.

Brent shook his head. “No, don’t think like that. This was meant for me, not you.” They stayed like that for several minutes longer until an officer stepped through the doorway.

“
Whoever it was is gone now. We did find a lot of shell casings.”

“
Bag ’em as evidence. Make sure you don’t miss any. Cover every inch of the area. Canvass the neighbors to see if anyone saw anything. I want a description, detailed if you can manage it. Get a sketch artist out here.”

“Will do,” the deputy said, retreating back outside, leaving them alone.

“Look, I’ll have an officer drive you back to Promise Cove,” Brent assured her, not wanting to let her go.

“I…we want to stay with you.”

He shook his head. “I need to find this person and until I do, you and Luke aren’t safe being anywhere near me. You’ve already been with one asshole You don’t need to put up with being with me and all that entails right now.”

“You’re breaking up with me
?”

He squeezed her shoulders.
“It isn’t healthy for you and Luke to be around me right now. Don’t you understand that? Until I find who’s responsible for this, until I find who wants me dead, I need to put the brakes on my personal relationships.”

Her temper flared.
“And just how many personal relationships do you have going on right now?” she snapped.

“You know what I mean.”

“No. I think you need to spell it out for me. You can’t exactly shove people away just because things get tough.”

“Tough
? River, someone shot at me just now and they almost took you and Luke right along with it. You were so frightened you couldn’t move out there and Luke was terrified. That’s the third time they’ve made an attempt on my life. If they were a better shot…”

“Or if
you hadn’t felt Scott’s presence…if that hadn’t warned you in some way. I felt it too right before the shots rang out.”

Brent ran a hand through his mass of hair. “Okay, if Scott hadn’t warned me the first and second times
, I might not be standing here talking to you.”

“And if not for you I wouldn’t have my
son back. Do you think I’m that weak? That I won’t stand with you like you stood with me these past months? What kind of a person do you think I am anyway?”

“I want you safe, River.”

She ran a hand down his cheek. “How much safer could I be than with someone who cares about me and Luke.”

“I love you, River. I’m not sure when it happened but I love you and Luke.
All the way.”

“Then we’re exactly where we
’re meant to be.”