Caught in the Current (Pacific Shores Book 2) (7 page)

“Well. I guess it’s Tawny’s way of giving kisses. She only kisses people she likes. So what do you think? Do you want to pet her?”

Alyssa still hesitated.

Marie was just about to say they should move on and Alyssa could try again another time, but Reece spoke again before she could.

“How about if you stand right here”—he gestured to the spot between his knees—“and I’ll help you pet her and keep her from licking you?”

Without hesitation Alyssa slipped off his leg to stand where he’d indicated. But she scooted back as close to Reece’s chest as she could manage before nodding she was ready.

Marie pressed her lips together and blinked back tears. Partly because of pride that Alyssa was willing to face her fears, but more because she’d never seen her daughter take to a man so quickly before, and it was simply devastating to know she’d ruined her daughter’s chances at ever having such a wonderful father a long time ago by her own stupid choices.

Not because she didn’t want a guy like him in their lives, but because a guy like him deserved someone who’d served the Lord her whole life and done things right. Waited for marriage. Possessed a little more innocence than she did. Okay, a lot more.

Tawny held her head perfectly still as Reece helped Alyssa reach her little hand out to pet the soft golden coat. At the first stroke of her palm against fur, Alyssa giggled.

Reece leaned over her shoulder and peered at her. “See? Fun, huh? I’m proud of you for being so brave!”

Marie swallowed and wished her estimation of the man wasn’t resprouting so quickly. She glanced around. Where was Dan, anyway? “I’ll just run these pickles into the kitchen. Alyssa, stay with Reece for a minute, okay?”

A squeal of laughter was all the response Marie got from her daughter as Tawny swiped a tongue toward her face and Reece bumped the dog away with the command to stop. A grin firmly in place, Reece glanced up and gave Marie a nod to let her know they would be fine. He held her gaze for a beat, peering at her over Alyssa’s shoulder, his grin fading into something more intimate.

Warmth cocooned her like one of the heated throws they’d had at the ski lodge her mother used to take her to.

She pulled in a slow breath, and it took all her willpower to break eye contact. “I’ll just…” She lifted the bag and spun on one heel.

As she beat a hasty retreat for the house, she swallowed and fisted one hand. No matter how badly she was tempted to go down that road again, she must resist. For his sake. Maybe he didn’t remember exactly what she’d been like? He certainly didn’t understand what a pariah she would make of him to the church people if he started dating her. And she certainly didn’t need all the drama which would go along with a good man like Reece showing an interest in her.

Dan was different. He’d been a lot like her. Everyone seemed content to let them have each other. She just wished she felt more for him. But love was a choice, right? She could learn to love him. And he was really good with Alyssa too.

At the thought of her daughter, Marie was reminded once again that come a week from tomorrow, she needed to have a new babysitter. Dread dropped into her stomach. What was she going to do about that? In the small town of Marinville, there weren’t a whole lot of options when it came to childcare. Alyssa had been in the one and only preschool down on Main for a while, but she’d constantly gotten sick, and Marie had been so thankful when Mrs. Hernandez had said she’d love to watch her.

Marie sighed. She’d asked everyone she could think of, and no one was able to do it. She’d make a few last efforts to find someone; otherwise she was going to have to reenroll Alyssa in the preschool.

The doors to the stone entryway which welcomed everyone to the grand log home stood wide open, and Marie was suddenly second-guessing her decision to bring the pickles to the kitchen. In her hurry to get away from Reece, what if she bumped into his mother?

Cautiously, she stepped onto the natural stone slate. She paused in a moment of awe. She’d forgotten how lovely the honey tones of the well-maintained walls were. Above her a huge chandelier, made from dropped elk horns intertwined together, shone golden light onto the framed original oils of the Pacific at sunset. The entry table was one solid piece of pine with a beautiful dark grain brought out by the natural varnish. A large mirror hung above it, and Marie caught sight of her pale features.

Best she just get on with it. The sooner she left these in the kitchen and made her escape, the less likely she was to be discovered.

She remembered the kitchen lay to her right, and headed down a hallway past the large formal dining room, noting the delicious bounty overflowing on the table. Her stomach rumbled rather loudly. She pressed a hand to it and tossed a glance behind her. Still no sign of Mrs. Cahill, thankfully.

She poked her head into the large dream kitchen.

Across the wide granite-topped island, Reece’s mother looked up and stilled with her hands frozen above the bowl of lettuce she was tearing. “Marie!”

Marie cringed inwardly at the aversion in her tone. There had been no time to evade her scrutiny. But of course. Based on how this day had gone so far, she should have known.

“Hi, Mrs. Cahill.” She was thankful her voice didn’t waver as she lifted the paper bag of pickle jars. “Reece and I picked these up at the store.”

Darlene Cahill’s lips thinned in decided distaste. “You can set them on the corner there.” She resumed her tearing, and by the caliber of her movements, Marie could easily imagine the woman visualizing the removal of her head.

It was obvious Darlene wanted better for Reece than a girl like her. Little did Mrs. Cahill know how much Marie wanted that for him also.

The jars clinked together as she set the bag down. “Is there something I can help you with?” The least she could do was offer help. After all, she could hardly fault the woman for not wanting her to be around her son.

“No. I think I’m just about done. Thanks just the same.” Darlene never met Marie’s eyes.

Marie rubbed her hands down the sides of her jeans. “Okay. I’ll just head back out, then. Thanks for having m—everyone over. I’m sure Reece is thankful.”

The woman did look up then. She gave a little snort and then resumed her annihilation of the lettuce.

Marie took the hint and left her alone.

Her stomach had clenched up so tight during the exchange Marie felt a physical pain. Reece had been wrong. His mother definitely did not want her here tonight. She should just find someone to take her home.

The scent of barbequed burgers and sausage links drew her through the living room toward the large French doors that led onto the back patio on the ocean side of the house.

The hospital bed in the living room halted her. Mr. Cahill looked so frail and thin-skinned. His sparse hair fanned out around his head like a halo. The patio doors were open, and he was looking out over the ocean. He must have seen her out of the corner of his eye, though, because he swung his head her way. His eyes lit up. “Marie!” Her name sounded garbled through the oxygen mask over his face, but his tone undeniably held more welcome than his wife’s had. He stretched a hand out to her, and a smile lit his green eyes. Reece had definitely gotten his eyes from his father.

Marie stepped forward and took the vein-etched hand, offering a smile of her own. “Hi, Mr. Cahill. I’m so sorry to hear how sick you’ve become. I’ve been praying for you.”

He waved a hand to brush away her concern. “The Lord has given me a lot of good years. Who am I to question the portal He uses to bring me home?” He kept ahold of her and tugged her closer.

Marie clasped her thumb around his and curled her fingers over the back of his hand. She leaned her elbows on the side rail of his bed. He’d always liked her more than his wife had.

“So…” He quirked an eyebrow so much like Reece often did. “You here with my boy?”

Marie tilted her head and took in the twinkle in his lively eyes. Her lips tipped into a smile. “Yes. But no.”

An anemic chuckle slipped from him. “Well, since he’s only been home a day, I suppose I should give it some time, huh?”

He was so sweet. Where Darlene had more often than not set her on edge, Dave Cahill had a way of making her feel like she was special and important. “Thank you for always being so kind to me.”

He nodded. “It’s easy to be kind to a woman I hope will one day be my daughter.”

Tears pricked her eyes. She really should tell him that would never happen, but she couldn’t bring herself to shatter his hopes. She bent forward and placed a kiss on his forehead. “You’re so sweet.”

“Hey. How is it you can always figure out a way to wrangle a kiss from a pretty lady, Dad?”

Marie’s heart stuttered even as she glanced up to see Reece striding in from the patio. She chuckled and stepped back from Dave, swiping tears from under her eyes.

Reece stopped on the other side of the bed and touched his dad’s shoulder. But his curious gaze remained on her. He tipped a nod toward the patio. “Alyssa is out there with Taysia.”

“Okay, I better get on out there, or Kylen will have her plate full of brownies and cake.”

Reece winced exaggeratedly. “She’s not allowed to have cake?”

Marie chuckled. “She’s already worked her wiles on you, huh?”

He held up his fingers a short way apart. “It was just a little piece.”

“Uh-huh.”

He smiled softly, but there was a hint of concern in his expression. “You okay?” he mouthed.

She nodded. “I’ll head out and check on Alyssa.”

Chapter 6

Reece couldn’t help but wonder what Dad had said to elicit tears from Marie.

She paused at the foot of his bed and reached out to squeeze one of Dad’s toes. “So nice to see you again, Mr. Cahill.”

Dad gave her a thumbs-up.

Reece watched her step hesitantly out onto the terrace and then turned back to find Dad’s knowing gaze fixed on him. “You better snap that girl up before someone else does.”

Reese eased a hip onto the bed and grinned. “Still a matchmaker, huh?”

Even though levity danced in his eyes, Dad tipped his head in sincerity. “I’m serious about this one.”

“Yeah? Well, things are complicated. She already has a man in her life, not surprisingly.”

Dad cocked an eyebrow. “Sometimes a man has to fight for what he wants.”

Reece grinned and took Dad’s hand. “I’ll keep your sage advice in mind. Can I get you anything?”

Dad waved away the offer.

“Are you sure? Mom made your favorite pistachio Jell-O salad.”

Dad’s eyes brightened. “Since you twisted my arm, I think I will have a scoop of that.”

“Good. I’ll get you some.”

“You’ll get him some of what?” Mom bustled in from the direction of the kitchen with a salad in her hands.

“Dad wants some of your pistachio salad.”

Mom’s countenance brightened. “Good! I’ll get it for him, Reece. You go visit with your friends.”

“Alright.” Reece reached up to squeeze Dad’s shoulder. “I love you, Dad.” He didn’t plan to miss a chance to tell his dad he loved him over the next few weeks.

“I love you too, son. And don’t you forget it.”

Reece’s throat felt thick, and he stood before he got too emotional.

When he stepped out onto the patio, Dan Jackson was standing next to Marie with Alyssa in his arms. Of course Mom would have invited him. He and Dan had been on the high school basketball team together. But that didn’t mean he wanted to see the guy looking all family-like with Marie and Alyssa.

He swallowed and turned to his right to avoid the sight.

Kylen Sumner eyed him from behind the grill, his focus bouncing from him to Marie and back again. But to his credit, all he said was “Hey, welcome home. Can I get you a burger?”

Reece had suddenly lost his appetite, but he nodded anyway. “Sure. Thanks for manning the grill tonight.”

Kylen split open a bun and laid a patty dripping with cheese onto it. “Not a problem. You going to be around for a while?”

Reece’s gaze traveled of its own volition to the living room he’d just left, and then swooped over the grounds of the place and finally landed on Marie, before he jerked it to the burger on his plate. “Yeah, it appears that way. I plan to contact my boss tomorrow afternoon to let him know I won’t be back after my six months of leave are up.”

“I’m sorry about your dad.”

“Thanks.” Reece felt a rock settle into the pit of his stomach and swallowed.

“I sometimes need help with investigating now that I’ve gone private. Are you interested?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I think I’m going to be a little busy around here. Feel free to ask if something comes up, and I’ll feel free to say no if it doesn’t work. How’s that?”

Kylen nodded. “Sounds like a deal.”

“Reece Cahill!”

Reece turned at the distinctly feminine voice.

Dakota Trask strode toward him, her long blonde hair swinging around her shoulders. He hadn’t seen her since the day of graduation. She’d been serving in Africa with Convoy of Hope last he’d heard.

“Dakota!” He held out his hand to give her a handshake.

She spurned his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You can’t shake my hand, you! It’s so good to see you again!”

Over her shoulder he met Marie’s gaze and gestured her over. She would want to see Dakota. They’d been pretty close in high school and probably would have been more so if Marie had been serving the Lord. Marie could surely use a good Christian friend now.

He returned his attention to Dakota. “How long have you been back in town?”

“Not long, actually. I just got home last week.”

As Marie and Dan walked toward Reece and Dakota, Marie felt a strange mix of excitement combined with dread. Dakota had tried to befriend her in high school, but Marie had always held her at arm’s length. She was excited to see her and hoped they could be friends, but her dread came from the fact that she was looking at the exactly perfect woman for Reece.

She swallowed and stuffed the feeling back down deep inside where it hopefully would never rear its ugly head again. She had no right to care about Reece getting together with another woman. Especially not when she was walking beside a man who’d asked her to marry him only last week. Guilt pinched her heart. How could she be having any sort of feelings about Reece when she was seriously considering marrying Dan?