Strangers in the Night (15 page)

She next went over to the Victorian she'd taken such a liking to. The doctor seemed to have spared no expense in the décor. The wood-framed fireplace and built-in bookshelves, the ornately carved woodwork spoke of moderate elegance. It wasn't as glorious as the hotel, but Abbie loved it. The entry opened to a large living room and grand staircase. She walked from the living room to the kitchen and the bathroom. She loved the spacious kitchen. A walkthrough pantry separated the kitchen from a formal dining room. The pantry, she noticed, seemed a bit narrow—too narrow. The wall should have lined up with the kitchen. She shrugged it off as an optical illusion and went on exploring. The bedrooms were apparently upstairs. Climbing the stairs, Abbie paused as a shiver passed through her. When she reached the landing at the top of the stairs, she thought again of the curtain moving in the window. “Don't be silly. No one is here except you.”
And maybe a mouse or two
.

She took a deep breath and wished she hadn't. Dust, mold, smells reminiscent of decay and lack of use welled up in her nostrils, reminding her of what a huge job renovating all of these buildings would be. She'd have to talk with Jake about hiring a contractor.

While the work would be tedious, she couldn't imagine anyone destroying these wonderful historic places. She was eager now to move ahead. She thought again about the threatening note but determined not to allow one person's opposition to derail her.

Jake found Abbie in the library shortly before noon. The smile that lit up her eyes when she saw him quickened his heart. He'd brought the paperwork for her to sign and hoped she'd be open to an invitation to go into town for lunch.

“Let's take care of the paperwork first,” she told him. “Then we can eat. I went through several places this morning, and I'm even more convinced that this place is perfect for our artists' retreat.”

“I can't tell you how happy I am that you'll be staying, but are you sure about Cold Creek?”

“Yes.” Abbie took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“But…” Jake held his breath as her determination seemed to fade.

“I'm scared, but I can't let my lifelong dream slip away because one person opposes my being here. Or because I'm afraid I won't be able to pull it off.”

“One person?”

“Well, more than one, but someone felt strongly enough to threaten me. Last night Elsie Hunter basically told me to pack my bags. Though she relented a little when Isabelle told her what our plans were.”

Jake couldn't help but smile. “If that's who wrote the note, you don't have anything to worry about. Elsie and Floyd and a few of the other older residents who actually own the property around here have been worried. Rightfully so.” He hesitated, not sure whether or not he should tell her of his suspicions.

“Abbie.” Jake placed his hand over hers. “About that note. I think it might have been from the developer.”

“Right. Dawn mentioned him. He's the one who thought his offer came before my parents put down earnest money?”

Jake nodded. “He hired a survey crew to determine the actual boundaries. He also raised his offer on the place.”

Abbie's hand formed a fist as she withdrew it from his. “So he thinks I'll fold. I won't.”

With her jaw set and fire lighting her gray-green eyes she added, “Let's do this, Jake. There's no way I'm backing down. I'm not going to let that man ruin this town and its beautiful buildings.”

Watching her determination, Jake felt as though his heart had expanded to twice its size. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but he wouldn't. He wanted Abbie to stay, and part of him felt like cheering. At the same time, he wanted her safe and worried that she might be stepping into dangerous territory.

Jake withdrew the papers from his briefcase, all the while praying that he was doing the right thing. His mind went back as it so often did to Barbara Nichols. There was no evidence to connect Perkins to Barbara's death, but that meant nothing. The man was a bully and seemed determined to win. Jake vowed to protect Abbie. When she asked about a contractor, he had just the man in mind. Brent would not only do an exemplary job, he'd be around to see that she didn't get hurt.

“Brent O'Brien,” Jake said. “He's my brother-in-law. Brent built all the houses in the development where your parents and I live. I'll talk to him.”

“Thanks.” Abbie raised an eyebrow. “Brother-in-law?”

“He's married to my sister Peggy. They live just outside of Oceanside on a farm—five kids. I'll have to take you out to meet them sometime.”

“I'd like that.” For the next few minutes, they focused on the paperwork. Jake had already gotten signatures from her parents and Isabelle, so hers would finalize the deal. He watched her, fascinated by her expressions as she concentrated on the documents. Occasionally, she asked questions about the wording and Jake translated the legal jargon into plain English.

Once she'd signed the last page, she set the pen down and sighed. Looking into his eyes, she gave him a Mona Lisa smile and he almost melted. “It's done.” She leaned over and brushed a kiss against his cheek. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“Bringing me home. Being patient.” She sighed. “I've never owned property before, and here I've gone and bought an entire town.”

“I'd say that calls for a celebration.” Jake gathered the papers and placed them into a folder and into his briefcase. “Are you ready for lunch?”

“I am, but let's pick Emma up on the way. You can't believe how much I've missed her.”

He chuckled. “I have too.” The little girl had secured a place in his heart the moment she'd asked Abbie if he could be her daddy. “Have you thought about where you and Emma will live until your house is remodeled?”

Abbie frowned. “With my parents, I suppose, though I'd like to be closer to Cold Creek so I can keep an eye on things. I'll stay at the B&B for the time being.”

On the way back to Oceanside, Abbie asked Jake about the murder investigation.

“There's been no news.” Jake glanced at her. “I have some ideas of my own, but—”

“Perkins?”

Jake sighed, deciding to tell Abbie about the talk he had with the man. “He offered to pay me big bucks to change my mind about who paid the earnest money first. I can't help but think he might have tried to bribe Barbara too. He's the type of guy who doesn't take no for an answer. Did she refuse? Maybe she threatened to call the police. I don't know.”

“And he's still around.” Abbie tried to put the threat from the other night out of her mind, but couldn't. “It's too late now, right? Maybe he'll leave or look into another property.”

“He seemed open to finding something else when I talked to him.” Jake planned to talk to Perkins later that day. With any luck, he'd have gone back to Portland.

Abbie shuddered. “I hope he doesn't make any trouble for us.”

“I've dealt with guys like him before. They're mostly bluff.” Jake reached across the seat to touch Abbie's shoulder. “Just to be on the safe side, I asked Jeff to check him out.” He smiled as he turned down the side street into the subdivision. “What do you say we table this talk for the time being and concentrate on having a good lunch with Emma? I'm thinking we could take her to play on the beach for a while. Does she have a kite?”

Abbie shook her head. “She doesn't, but we can pick one up in town.”

Her smile was his undoing. Jake stopped the car in the driveway and reached for her.
One kiss
, he thought. A quick peck before they went inside. Her eyes met his as he leaned forward. She moved at the same time, and the connection set off sparks the likes of which he'd never felt before.

She pressed her hands against his chest and leaned back. “Jake, I…”

She seemed as breathless as he felt.
I love you
. The words remained unspoken as he mumbled an apology and clumsily grabbed for the door handle.

The kiss left Abbie shaken, and it wasn't until she started up the porch steps and Emma came racing out that she managed to collect herself.

She braced herself as Emma threw herself into her arms. Abbie picked her up and held her close. “Oh, sweetie, I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” Emma hugged her neck hard then leaned toward Jake.

He seemed entirely too pleased with Emma's show of affection and carried the child inside. Abbie almost tripped on the small suitcase and stuffed animals that sat in the middle of the entry. “What's this?” She bent to look at the case.

Emma twisted in Jake's arms and he put her down. “Nana helped me pack my bag. She said I could ask you if I can stay with you at the B&B. I got my jammies and some socks. And I want to take my Barbie and Teddy. Can I come with you?”

“Of course.” Abbie couldn't say no. Not that she wanted to.

“Can you stay with Mommy and me too?” Emma grinned up at Jake.

Jake picked up the small suitcase and winked at Abbie. “No. I have to stay at my house.”

Carlene chose that moment to appear. Abbie told her about signing the papers and hoping to move into the Victorian. “I've decided to stay in Cold Creek for the time being.”

“I suppose that's more convenient, but I'm disappointed. Can you stay for a while now?” Carlene asked.

She kissed her mother's cheek. “I'll come back later. Jake is taking us out to lunch and then we thought we'd celebrate by buying a kite and flying it on the beach.”

“No need to buy one. I have one I bought especially for Emma.” Carlene rummaged around on the top shelf of the entry closet and brought out a long, thin package. “Here we go.”

Carlene knelt down in front of Emma. “You be a good girl. I'll miss you.”

“Don't cry, Nana.” Emma's arms went around her grandmother's neck. “You can come and visit us.”

Carlene hugged her close and stood to embrace Abbie as well. “We'll be here anytime you need us. I'm thrilled you've decided to buy Cold Creek with us, but I was hoping you'd live here—for a while at least.”

“I know.” Abbie squeezed her hand. “But at least we're close.”

Carlene hugged her again. “And thank the Lord for that.”

After their lunch and kite-flying excursion at the beach, Jake stopped at his office to make a quick call. Within minutes they were on the highway heading south to his sister's house. He had the bright idea that Emma might enjoy playing with his nieces and nephews while Abbie got to know Peggy and Brent.

He'd been right. The O'Brien clan took her and Emma into their fold the minute they exited the car. Tess, the oldest, was at school. The girls, six-year-old Patti and five-year-old Jennie, began telling Emma about their playhouse in the backyard. The boys, Andy and Aaron, who were three, followed the girls.

Peggy ushered Abbie into the house after giving her a welcoming hug. Jake's sister looked nothing like her brother. While his eyes were a cobalt blue, hers were lighter—more gray. She wore jeans and an untucked chambray shirt and no shoes. Her hair was more chestnut and she wore it up in an untamed ponytail. Curls of shorter hair framed her tanned, freckled face.

“I've heard so much about you,” Peggy said. “I bet your parents are thrilled to have you back home.”

“They are.” Abbie was surprised at her comment. “You know my parents?”

“Quite well. It's a long story. We'll get to that later—over coffee.” She turned to embrace Jake and followed the hug with a punch to the arm. “And you. Do you have any idea how long it's been since you've been out here?”

Jake lifted his hands in surrender. “Too long, I know. I'm sorry, but things have been crazy since I got back.”

Her teasing stopped as she nodded. “I know. Any news about the murder investigation?”

Jake shook his head. “Afraid not.”

“Well, hopefully there'll be a break in the case soon. In the meantime, let's go inside. I made a coffee cake.”

Within short order Peggy, Jake, and Abbie were sitting at the door-sized table with mismatched chairs in a large alcove looking over the backyard. The yard was enclosed and beyond it was a set of stairs that led to the sea below. There were no houses around them, Abbie saw along the winding driveway. On one side, she'd seen a number of cows in a large pasture dotted with a few deciduous trees and cedars and a barn. On the other was a field of hay and closer to the house, a garden.

The kitchen had been built a step up from the dining area, and Peggy, who'd already served them coffee, turned to nab a platter of rolls. “Enjoy. I'll be back in a few minutes—after I get a snack for the kids too.” She picked up another platter of cake squares and set it on a tray with a pitcher of red Kool-Aid and five plastic cups.

“Can I help?” Abbie asked.

“I've got it, but if I can get my brother to slide open the door, we'll be all set.”

Jake complied and Peggy took the snacks to a picnic table just off an aggregate patio and called the kids. Abbie laughed as they tumbled out of the playhouse and raced each other to the table. Emma waved at her mother as she sat on the bench between the girls.

A lump lodged itself in Abbie's throat. The scene, reminiscent of their time in Grand Forks, tugged at her heart. She missed Margie and her little boy. It had been over a week since they'd driven off into the unknown with Jake Conners. She'd promised to call when she arrived at her parents', which she had. Perhaps it was time to call again.

After pouring drinks for the kids, Peggy came back inside, leaving the sliding door open and closing the screen. She sat next to Abbie and lifted her cup to her lips. “I've discovered that the best way to take a break is to give the kids one.”

“Very smart.” Abbie watched Emma interact with the children. They looked as though they'd been friends for years. “Emma seems right at home here.”

Peggy laughed. “She's adorable. My girls are already mothering her.”

After a moment, Abbie asked, “You said you knew my parents.”

“Hmm.” Peggy set down her cup. “Brent built their house. Didn't Jake tell you?”

“Oh. I guess he did. I just didn't put two and two together. You've known them for quite awhile then.”

Peggy grinned. “Oh yes. We've sort of adopted them as grandparents since both Brent's and my parents are gone.”

Abbie felt a stab of jealousy, but it passed as she considered how her parents, the kids, and Brent and Peggy must have benefited from the connection. “That's wonderful. Every child needs a grandparent.”

“I agree,” Peggy went on. “I guess that makes us related.”

Jake chuckled. “My sister thinks we're all related in some way.”

“Maybe she's right. You don't necessarily need to be blood relatives to have a close connection.” Abbie already felt that connection, to the people here as well as to the Cold Creek property.

“Of course I'm right. We're linked to one another and to the land—to all of nature.”

“If you haven't already figured it out,” Jake said, “my sister is an environmentalist. She's the farmer in the family.”

“And proud of it. When our parents died and Jake and I had to split things up, I took the farm and he got the money. I love being self-sufficient.”

“Hey, bro.” A sturdy-looking guy with sandy-blond hair and a deep tan walked in and patted Jake's shoulder then went around the table to plant a kiss on Peggy's lips. “Sorry I'm late, hon. I got tied up with the powers that be at city hall. Man, those people must take lessons on how to make our lives miserable.”

Jake chuckled. “It's taken you this long to figure that out?” He leaned back and gestured toward Abbie. “This is Abbie Campbell, the new owner of Cold Creek. Abbie, you've already probably guessed, this is Brent.”

Abbie reached over to shake Brent's hand. “Hi, Brent. Nice to meet you.”

“Back atcha.” His wide grin lit up dark brown eyes. Honest eyes. “Jake says you bought Cold Creek and want some remodeling done.” Unlike Jake, who wore slacks and a dress shirt—he'd discarded his tie earlier—Brent had on an orange rugby-style shirt and khaki shorts.

“Stop right there.” Peggy stood and slipped an arm around her husband's waist. “No shop-talk until after dinner. I want a chance to get to know Abbie before you steal her away with business stuff.” To Abbie she said, “Once these guys get started on building projects, it's impossible to get them away.”

Abbie, Emma, and Jake ended up spending the rest of the evening with Brent and Peggy. Abbie loved the easy camaraderie between them and especially liked the way they included her. From time to time, she let herself wonder what it would be like to be part of the family unit as Jake's wife.

She discarded the idea each time it tried to take root. As much as she liked Jake, she couldn't let herself get involved romantically. Abbie watched him now as he and Brent played ride-the-horsey with the twins. She remembered the night when he'd asked her to dance and how she'd momentarily mistaken him for her childhood idol. Abbie could easily imagine herself falling in love with Jake. But she couldn't allow herself that luxury. She'd only been a widow for two years. And even though Jake had told her there was no warrant against her, she had kidnapped her child from the woman who had legal custody. Now she'd come out of hiding. She'd plunged into a dream but feared it might end up a nightmare.

Panic spread a tangle of vines through her mind. Her heart leapt into her throat and she had the urge to take Emma and run. This was a mistake. What if Leah found out where she was?

“Abbie?” Peggy's voice filtered in through the jumble of thoughts. A touch on her shoulder made her jump.

“Oh, you startled me.”

“I'm sorry.” Peggy grinned. “You seemed far away, are you okay?”

Abbie nodded. “Just thinking.”

“And feeling overwhelmed, I'll bet.”

“A little.” Abbie laughed. “I'm having trouble believing that we actually bought a town.”

“I can only imagine.” Peggy touched her arm. “I have just the solution to bring you back to earth. How about helping me bathe the kids and get them into bed? Emma too, if you'd like. She can spend the night or just sleep until you and Jake are ready to go.”

“I'd love that.”

At nine, having tucked in the children, Peggy and Abbie descended the stairs. Jake and Brent sat at one end of the large oak dining room table and waved the women over. Abbie grabbed her bag from beside the couch and took the chair beside Jake. Looking over the papers scattered on the table, she said, “Did you start without me?”

“Not really. We were talking about Perkins.”

“Coffee, anyone?” Peggy went into the kitchen. “Cookies?”

They all waved an assent. “I can't believe this is really happening.” Abbie opened her notebook and took out a pen.

“I have to tell you, Abbie,” Brent said, “I already like your ideas. Just tell me where to start.”

“I think it might be best to start with the Victorian on Spring Lane. Samantha told me that a doctor used to live there. I'm hoping you can get the original blueprints. I could be wrong, but I think the pantry seems to be off—narrower than you'd think by looking at the kitchen.”

Jake looked impressed. “I'm surprised you'd notice something like that. I've only been in it a couple of times—never noticed.”

Abbie smiled. “Artists are trained in perspectives. I've always had a good eye for that sort of thing.”

“Could be it was assembled wrong.” Brent wrote something on the pad he'd taken out. “I'll look into it. The house was built around 1923. It's one of those Sears and Roebuck houses you could order from their catalog.” He chuckled. “I love those old places. They were surprisingly well built, as long as the builder knew what he was doing.”