The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans - Christian Romantic Suspense) (9 page)

A queasy feeling dropped like a rock into the pit of Devynne’s stomach. She forced herself to meet the young man’s eyes and smile. “Sorry to disappoint. Did you ever…get to meet her?”

He shook his head. “Came really close a couple times though.”

“Oh do listen to us go on.” Mrs. Abernathy dismissed the conversation with a swish of her wrist. “There now, here’s a check for the amount we agreed on,” she said as she pressed it into Devynne’s trembling hands.

Devynne swallowed hard, willing herself to remain steady as she stared at the check not really seeing it.

He’d had pictures of her all over his walls. Had come to California to meet her. Had gotten close a couple times. She felt sick. Yet, with all the evidence, she’d felt sure they had her stalker in jail.

“Well, you don’t have to look so shocked.” Mrs. Abernathy snapped.

“Devynne’s focus zeroed in on the amount of the check.” Never before had Mrs. Abernathy mistakenly paid her extra. “N-No.” Devynne stammered. “No. This is too much, Mrs. Abernathy.”

The elderly woman waved an elegant dismissal. “No I’m sure you wrote it down wrong. I distinctly remember that being the amount. You take it.”

“Well,” Devynne, at a loss for words, finally quit staring at the check long enough to say, “Thank you.” She faced the door, forcing one foot in front of the other.

Mrs. Abernathy squawked. “Well I never! You
are
going to leave the quilt, aren’t you?”

“Oh.” Devynne blushed. “Yes. I’m so sorry. Here.”

As she stepped out the door, Stephan called. “It was nice to meet you!”

She merely offered a weak wave, unable to say the same to him.

All the way back to Jackie and Lamar’s place she reminded herself that her stalker was in jail. Carcen had told her she was safe now. But he’d also told her he wanted her to come to him with any concerns. This was something he needed to know. It wasn’t normal for someone to pick up and move three states away just in the hopes of meeting someone they admired.

She would have gone immediately to the police station after picking up Marissa, but when she arrived at her in-laws Carcen was there.

“Hi,” he said the minute she walked through the door.

“Carcen there’s something I need to—”

“Mommy!” Rissa launched herself into her mother’s arms. “Uncle Cawce is taking us to a movie!”

“He is, huh?” She eyed Carcen over the top of her daughter’s head and he had the grace to look sheepish.

“‘Membew, you pwomised me at the bwekfast we could go.”

Carcen folded his arms and arched his brows at her. “Just helping you keep your word,” he said with a grin.

The truth was, she needed to talk to him and maybe she could find the time to do it this afternoon. Sighing, she gave in. “What are we going to see?”

“Cinderella is playing for the matinee at the theater in town. I thought that might be a hit.”

Devynne nodded. “She’ll love it. It’s one of her favorites and I don’t think she’s ever seen it on the big screen.” She turned to her daughter. “Rissa honey, go say thank you to Grandma for letting you stay this afternoon.”

“OK.” Brown curls bouncing, Rissa dashed off.

Rubbing the back of her neck she frowned down at the hardwood floor. Was she just being paranoid? They’d caught the guy hadn’t they? He’d been whispering words only her stalker would know. And Carcen had said the prints matched. Yes, he’d asked her to let him know if anything was of concern to her, but…she didn’t want to burden him with her petty paranoia.

Carcen studied her for a long moment and finally asked, “Everything okay?” Concern edged his tone.

She sighed. It might be petty, but he should know just in case. “I need to talk to you about some—”

“Weady!” Marissa bounced back into the entry, bobbing like a float on a hooked line.

Devynne settled one hand on her curls and met Carcen’s concerned gaze over her daughter’s head. She would be with him all afternoon and would find a time to tell him. For now she mouthed, “Later.”

He frowned, but his gaze darted to the little tyke and he nodded.

Marissa was so excited when they got to the theater that she could hardly stand still. Her purse was slung over her shoulder in grown-up mimickery of Devynne but she literally jumped up and down in excitement as Carcen paid for their tickets.

The attendant behind the counter laughed. “Thank you, Coach— uh, Sheriff—Lang.”

Carcen chuckled. “You can call me Coach anytime, Alex.”

The boy grinned. “Yes, sir. You and your family enjoy the movie.”

Devynne blushed at the curious look he bounced between them, but if Carcen noticed he didn’t make comment. Taking Marissa’s hand in one of his own and placing his other hand to the small of Devynne’s back, he ushered them into the movie house.

The delicious smell of popcorn reminded Devynne that she had not yet eaten dinner and she started to pull out her wallet.

“Hey, this is my treat. I’m the one that shanghaied you into being here, remember?”

Devynne smiled. “The least I can do is buy the popcorn. Would you like some?”

He eyed her momentarily, as though debating whether or not to argue with her, but when she arched a stubborn brow he acquiesced. “Extra butter.”

“And Duds and Twizzews and M’s, Mama.”

Devynne and Carcen chuckled. “One,” Devynne said adamantly holding up a finger. “Do you want Milk Duds? Twizzlers? Or M ‘n’ M’s?”

Lip protruding, the little negotiator asked, “Two?”

“One.” Devynne had to force out the firm reply.

Marissa sighed in resignation, shoulders slumping and head hanging dramatically, as though Devynne’s denial may have scarred her for life. Finally, she mumbled, “Duds.” Her purse slid off her shoulder and landed on the floor with a thump, but she took no notice.

Devynne didn’t dare glance at Carcen. She could tell even without looking at him that he was having as hard a time keeping a straight face as she was. Thankful to see him squat down and say some stern words in Marissa’s ear about her attitude, she turned to pay for the snacks. He was so good with her daughter. Maybe she should write him into her will as legal guardian in case something ever happened to her.

Carcen noticed her mood the instant he stood. He touched her shoulder, taking the bag of popcorn from her, his eyes coming up to hers. “You okay?”

She nodded and forced a smile.

“No you’re not.” He popped a kernel into his mouth, his intense blue eyes evidencing that he knew she was lying.

She sighed. “We need to have that talk. But let’s just try to enjoy the afternoon for Marissa’s sake.”

“Did something happen at the house again? You didn’t have to pull your gun out again, did you?”

“No. Nothing like that. It’s probably nothing. Really it can wait.”

He hesitated for a long moment, but then nodded. “Alright.”

They headed into the theater, found their seats and settled Rissa between them. He leaned towards her and whispered, “I’m going to hold you to telling me.”

Devynne sighed. “Yes. I know you will.”

Chapter 10

Devynne groaned, unable to believe that her daughter had talked them into this. It was still early when the movie let out so Carcen took them to Jackson Beach. The evening shadows had begun to lengthen but the sunset looked like it was going to be spectacular tonight.

Marissa stated that she wanted to play ‘Cindella’ and insisted that Carcen be the handsome ‘pwince.’ Devynne was given the dubious distinction of ‘Cindella.’

“Don’t you want to be Cinderella, honey?” Devynne asked.

“Mommy,” the little girl rolled her eyes in exasperation, “I’m
little
. I have to be the mouses!”

“Oh. The
mice
.”

It was now time for the dance of awakening love and Devynne wished with all her heart that she was one of the mouses or even the wicked step-mother.

“Come on, Mommy. This is whewe the dance is, wight hewe.” Marissa gestured to a large sandy area she and Carcen had cleared on the driftwood scattered beach. The ‘pwince’ was already awaiting her arrival, his eyes scrutinizing her with lion-like intensity.

He grinned as she reluctantly stepped onto the ‘dance floor,’ making his way to her and bowing over her hand. “May I have the honor of this dance, Miss?” he asked, his imitation of the prince almost perfect.

Devynne pulled out her pretend skirts and curtsied. “I would be honored, my lord.”

Marissa, sitting on a driftwood bench, giggled, clapping her hands. “Now you dance,” she directed, gesturing them together with her pudgy hands.

Carcen dropped one eyelid in a quick wink as he pulled Devynne into his embrace. One hand settled at her waist as the warmth of the other enveloped her hand. She felt stiffer than a board.

“Relax,” he whispered, twirling her around the sandy expanse, “the prince would never hurt Cinderella.” She chuckled and glanced up expecting to see a grin and a wink, but instead she encountered a sincerity and seriousness that set her heart beating all the faster. And when he tipped her backward and leaned forward, his face only inches from hers, Devynne thought her heart might just flip right out of her chest.

He held her there for a beat, his gaze, full of unmistakable hunger and desire, roaming her features.

She swallowed and tried to remember why it wasn’t a good idea to fall in love with this man.

“Dev—”

“Gong!” Marissa shouted. “Gong! Gong! Gong!”

Relief coursed through Devynne and she seized on the moment of escape. “Oh! Oh my!” She pushed out of his arms, slapped her hands to her cheeks with the hopes that he wouldn’t notice her blushing, and fled across the sand, leaving one of her shoes behind.

Carcen chased her yelling, “Wait! Please! I didn’t get your name!”

A couple, strolling hand in hand through the edge of the water, cast them a strange look and quickened their steps, causing Devynne to collapse in a fit of giggles on a log a few yards away. Her sock was soaked from the wet sand but she suddenly realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this alive.
Heaven help me
.

Carcen lifted Marissa down from her perch, offering the couple a sympathetic smile.

“Now you have to try the shoe on her,” the little director insisted, pushing Carcen towards Devynne. “And then the pwince finds his twue love!”

Devynne stopped laughing her eyes widening as they locked with Carcen’s. They both knew what came next and Devynne couldn’t believe the amused look on Carcen’s face.
He is actually enjoying this
! The cougar’s lair gaped open before her and she refused to be lured into it. Her eyes cast around for something to distract her daughter.

“Rissa honey, look. See that van over there? It’s an ice cream truck. Would you like one?”

Marissa’s eyes brightened as she turned in the direction Devynne indicated with her outstretched finger.

“Yes!” Marissa exclaimed. “Do you think he’ll have those yummy owange ones?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t we go see?” She cast Carcen a sheepish look, stretching out her hand for her shoe.

A wicked gleam danced in his eyes as he handed it over, but he didn’t say anything, just dropped her a mischievous wink and jogged stealthily after Marissa as she made a bee-line for the ice cream man.

Carcen handed over the money for three orange-creamsicles just as Dev joined them, shoe once again in place. He gave one to her without meeting her questioning gaze and squatted down to help Marissa open hers.

What would have happened if she hadn’t interrupted the moment? Would he have kissed her? The thought sent shards of heat through his torso and nearly took his breath away.

He stomped to the garbage can and thrust their wrappers inside. He turned his back on them and looked out over the ocean. She was Kent’s wife, for goodness sake. He shouldn’t be feeling things for her.

But Kent was gone. Had been for a long time. And somehow over the years of taking care of her… With a huff of frustration, he shook the thoughts away.

The yellow spill of sunset on the horizon seeped to a peach hue that arched over their heads. Wisps of gray cirrus clouds traced dark lines through the color, their undersides shot through with crimson.

“Will you look at that sunset tonight?” The ice cream guy leaned out of his van, peering upward. “Gorgeous, huh? And so vast. Almost makes you feel like someone’s watching you all the time, doesn’t it?”

Devynne gasped.

Goosebumps tightened the skin on the back of Carcen’s neck even as he spun toward the man. “What did you say?”

The man’s bushy brows shot up, and he hunched his shoulders and lifted his palms. “Sorry. I tend to forget no one believes in the Almighty anymore.”

Carcen’s eyes narrowed.

“Carcen?” Devynne’s voice was breathy.

He looked back.

“I should get Marissa home. We have church in the morning.”

He nodded and stretched an arm out to usher her past the van. Casting one more glance at the man, he followed her to the car.

Devynne walked so fast she was almost running as she propelled Marissa along in front of her.

“Oh, so you
do
believe in the Good Lord? What’s the matter then?” the man called after them.

Carcen ignored him and dropped into the driver’s seat. It was probably nothing.
Had
to be nothing. They had Dev’s stalker in custody.

In the backseat Marissa sang and chattered to her stuffed dog. Carcen reached over and touched Devynne’s hand. It was cold and clammy. He gave it a squeeze. “Just an old guy appreciating God’s creation. Nothing more.”

She nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.”