The Deep End (A Saints & Strangers Cozy Mystery Book 2) (4 page)

“That’s how I feel about Charlotte. She’s my baby sister and I’m her biggest critic and her biggest defender.”

“Defending Jasmine got easier when she moved away. When she began cheerleading, she was so busy all the time, especially during football season…I think that’s when we grew accustomed to not speaking.”

“Charlotte and I spoke every day when I was in New York. I guess that’s a little pathetic. I should probably back off a little, now that she’s legally an adult.” Charlotte didn’t seem to mind Rebecca’s constant communication, though. Because of Charlotte’s organizational difficulties, Rebecca was in the habit of giving her daily reminders. Although she’d taught Charlotte how to create a schedule and given her coping mechanisms, Rebecca still felt like she needed to insert herself into Charlotte’s daily life.

“I picture you two with houses side by side, bringing each other casseroles and pot roast on Sundays, and waving to each other from your porch swings. You’d better hope your husbands get along.”

“I imagine they will.” Rebecca hadn’t thought that far ahead. Once she secured the loans, she had years of medical training ahead of her. Husbands and porch swings were the last thing on her mind.

Jake studied her for a moment. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

As Rebecca opened her mouth to reply, the server placed the bill on the edge of the table. They both looked at it.

“Let me get this one,” Jake said. “I’ll pinch the money off Jasmine, then it will be just like she bought us dinner.”

“As clever as your sister, aren’t you?” she remarked.

“I think that’s a compliment, but I’m not sure.” Jake glanced over at the man’s lips again and attempted to turn nonchalantly back to Rebecca. “Christ, he caught me staring again and winked at me. Or maybe his lip got stuck in his eye. I’m not sure which.”

Rebecca laughed as Jake tossed money onto the table with his back turned awkwardly away from Mangelina Jolie.

Once outside the restaurant, they realized that the evening’s dark clouds had turned into an actual downpour. They lingered under the awning, staring out at the parking lot. Neither wanted to be the first to walk away.

“Maybe we could just stand here until it passes,” Jake suggested.

Rebecca would have liked nothing more. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said. “The rain hasn’t ruined anything.”

“No, thank you. I can’t remember when I’ve had a nicer time.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry we didn’t meet under better circumstances.”

“I’m still glad we met. Promise you’ll come back and see us again soon?”

“I do.” His face reddened. “That sounded premature. I mean, yes, I will see you soon. I’m staying with my sister for a few more days. Maybe we can find another hidden gem to explore.” He placed a hand on the back of her neck and brushed his lips against her cheek. “Drive safely, Rebecca.”

“You, too.” Her heart swelled as she watched his lanky frame dart across the parking lot to his car. Never in a million years would she have suspected that Jasmine had a brother like Jake. It was the happiest she’d felt since before her father had been diagnosed with cancer. It seemed a very long time ago.

Rain pounded the road as Charlotte drove back to Kit’s house. She listened to the radio, blaring a Beethoven symphony. The backseat of the car was piled high with the contents of the Oak Lodge library. Despite her sister’s warning, Charlotte refused to leave Tilton books in the undeserving hands of Jasmine. With Rebecca out to dinner with Jake, Charlotte saw an opportunity to strike.

Thanks to a fast-moving autumnal downpour, the Lenapehoking River had flooded part of the street. As she attempted to pass slowly through a large puddle, the car sputtered and stalled.

“No, no,” Charlotte muttered. “Not now. Can’t you see it’s dark and raining and I’ve committed some kind of felony?”

The engine died and Charlotte coasted onto the shoulder of the road. She put on her hazard lights and dug through her purse for her cell phone. Of course, there was no signal.

“Crap.”

As she threw down the phone in frustration, car lights appeared behind her. She looked in the rearview mirror but couldn’t see anything through the rain. Suddenly, a man’s face appeared at the window. Charlotte gasped. He tapped on the glass.

“Are you all right?” he yelled through the glass.

The first thing she noticed about him was his eyes, then his cheekbones.

Charlotte shook her head and tried to roll down her window. Stuck. She reluctantly opened the door to talk to him.

“We need to get you out of here,” he yelled. “Your car could get swept into the river. Do you need me to call someone? I have a phone.”

“Do you know any towing companies?” she asked. “My AAA membership expired in September.” And I don’t have any money, she added silently.

“I can call someone,” he replied.

He was soaking wet now and Charlotte felt guilty leaving him out in the rain.

“You’re soaked,” she said. “Please get in.”

He ran around the side of the car and hopped in the passenger seat. He was as tall and well built up close as he appeared outside.

“My name’s Brendan. Brendan Williams.”

“Charlotte Tilton. Thanks for stopping to help.”

“Why don’t I call the tow truck and wait here with you until it arrives?”

Charlotte’s cheeks grew flushed. “You don’t have to go to any trouble. If you make the call, I can wait on my own.”

“It’s not gentlemanly to leave you here. Besides, how can I drive you home if I don’t wait with you?”

Charlotte tried to hide a smile. “If you really don’t mind.”

“As soon as I finish the call, I’m going to…” He stopped talking, his attention drawn to the back of the car. “Either you really like to read or you just knocked over a Barnes and Noble.”

She smiled guiltily. “A little of both.”

“A woman with impressive skills. I’m intrigued already.” He called the towing company and gestured for her to open the door.

“My car’s unlocked,” he told her. “We can wait there.”

“What about the books?” she asked. “I don’t want to leave them in my car.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That valuable, huh?”

“They are to me,” she replied stubbornly, lifting her chin a fraction.

“Stay here,” he ordered and began ferrying books from her car to his, covering them with his jacket.

She ran to the car behind hers. Even in the pouring rain she saw that it was a black Porsche.

She slid into the passenger seat and slammed the door closed. Her hair was drenched and she swept the wet tendrils from her eyes so that she could watch Brendan in action. His broad, muscular body moved like a superhero’s. He accomplished the task in half the time it would’ve taken Charlotte.

“Here comes the tow truck,” he said, joining her in the dry car. “I can speak to him, if you like.”

Charlotte nodded mutely. Books were crammed into every inch of available space. She watched as he exchanged words with the tow truck driver and then hurried to his car.

“Where I can take you?” he asked, dropping into the driver’s seat. He wasn’t even out of breath.

“I’m staying with a friend on Thornhill Road, off Keystone.”

“Yes, I know the area.” He sped off, his black Porsche skidding on the slick road. He deftly regained control and Charlotte felt her heart rate accelerate. She was fairly certain it had nothing to do with the speed of the car.

They arrived at Thornhill Road more quickly than she would have preferred and Charlotte pointed to Kit’s house. “This is me.”

He pulled into the driveway behind Kit’s Corvette Stingray. “I see someone else appreciates a good car.”

“My friend, Kit. We go to college together.”

“Charming house. I love this part of town.” He smiled at her.

“Thank you so much, Brendan.”

“Your thanks would mean more if you agreed to go out with me tomorrow.”

Charlotte grew flustered. She’d never been out with a man on her own. She usually had Francie or Rebecca by her side. “That would be nice. Let me add my number to your phone.”

“No need. I’ll pick you up right here at eleven o’clock. I already have the day planned in my mind.”

He was a planner? She couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for her. “I look forward to it.”

“Allow me to bring your contraband inside. It will be easier with two of us.”

Together, they gathered as many books as they could carry. Charlotte managed to ring the bell with her nose. A moment later, Kit opened the door.

“I was wondering where you were,” Kit exclaimed, her features etched with concern. “Your sister’s still out.” She noticed Brendan lurking behind Charlotte, both of their arms laden with books. “Okay then. Bring ‘em on in.”

Brendan eyed Kit curiously but said nothing.

“Why don’t you put the books in the living room?” Kit suggested.

Despite her soggy appearance, Charlotte looked absolutely radiant.

“Did you pick up a hitchhiker?” Kit asked. “Because your sister would not approve.”

“Not a hitchhiker,” Brendan said. He placed a pile of books in the corner of the room and returned to the car for more.

“I met the man of my dreams tonight,” Charlotte whispered excitedly.

“He seems very real to me,” Kit said. “As corporeal as they come, in fact.” She couldn’t help but notice his muscular build.

“I’m serious, Kit. He is absolutely a white knight.”

Brendan reappeared in the doorway, larger than life, holding the rest of the books. “And where is your library?”

“The rest of the living room floor looks good to me,” Kit said. “I’m Kit Wilder, by the way. Charlotte’s new landlady.”

“Brendan Williams.” He placed the books in the corner of the room and they shook hands. “You’re a Winthrop Wilder, aren’t you?”

Kit smiled. Only in Westdale would people recognize her because of her family name. “And I was on TV.”

His eyes grew round. “Right!
Fool’s Gold
. Oh wow.” He looked her up and down. “You’re much prettier in person.”

“Thanks, I think. And thanks so much for helping our damsel in distress,” Kit said. “Her usual rescuers were unavailable this evening.”

“I’m glad I got the opportunity. It was an absolute pleasure.” He nodded toward Charlotte. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodbye, Brendan.”

When he left, Charlotte flopped down on the sofa in her wet clothes, her elbow narrowly missing a lamp on the end table. “He’s a perfect gentleman and amazingly handsome and he’s picking me up at eleven o’clock tomorrow. For a date.”

“So I heard. Where did you meet him?”

“My engine flooded and he rescued me.”

“He’s a mechanic?” Kit queried. He looked too polished for a mechanic.

Charlotte smiled. “No, but he called the tow truck.”

“Maybe car trouble was the punishment for stealing,” Kit said, arching a judgmental eyebrow.

“It isn’t stealing when they belong to me,” Charlotte argued. She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I must look terrible! Is my hair frizzy? Omigod, I can’t believe he’s seen me like this.”

“And yet he still asked you out,” Kit remarked.

“And he drives a Porsche,” Charlotte said.

“Definitely not a mechanic then,” Kit said.

“I told you,” Charlotte said, hugging herself. “A knight in shining armor.”

“I take it Jasmine wasn’t home when you absconded with the entire library.”

“I checked first,” Charlotte said. “I knew Jake wouldn’t be there and Jasmine prefers to be out spending money whenever possible.”

“Why didn’t you ask Francie to help you?” Kit asked, feeling sorry for her friend. “Or me?”

“I asked Francie but she had family plans.” She raised her eyes to meet Kit’s. “I thought you would be like Rebecca and try to talk me out of it.”

“Does Rebecca know?” Charlotte shook her head, her eyes round with fear, and Kit sighed. “Well, she’ll know soon enough.”

Rebecca opened the door to Kit’s house, soaked to the bone. Despite her waterproof jacket, her clothes clung to her skin and her shoes squeaked with water.

“They have these amazing inventions called umbrellas,” Kit commented, taking in Rebecca’s soggy appearance.

Rebecca laughed. “I didn’t plan ahead.” Nothing could dampen her spirits right now. Her evening with Jake had been amazing and she was still riding high.

“You didn’t plan ahead?” Charlotte appeared at the top of the staircase, clad in pajamas. “That doesn’t sound right.”

Rebecca joined Kit in the living room and noticed the stacks of books. “Why do these look familiar?” She narrowed her eyes at Charlotte, who now stood beside her.

“Charlotte had a little adventure of her own this evening,” Kit said.

Rebecca arched an eyebrow. “What kind of adventure? You weren’t driving in this rain, were you?”

“Never mind me,” Charlotte said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Tell us everything. What was Jake like? Was he able to torture Jasmine endlessly as a little boy? Please say that he did.”

Kit hopped off the sofa. “I’ll make the popcorn.”

Charlotte took Kit’s place on the sofa, bouncing like a child on Christmas morning.

“It’s not entertaining enough for popcorn,” Rebecca called to Kit. “It was just dinner and he seems incredibly sweet. Not the kind of person to torture his sister.”

Charlotte’s mouth turned down at the corners.

“We had a really nice time.”

“And?” Charlotte prompted.

Rebecca shrugged out of her damp jacket and kicked off her shoes. “And he’s smart and funny and easy on the eyes, if that sort of thing is important to you.” She gave Charlotte a knowing glance. “Which it is.”

“Just think if you got married, Rebecca! We’d actually marry back into our rightful inheritance.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Rebecca said. “Aside from the fact that one dinner does not equal marriage, Jasmine would probably leave him nothing out of spite.”

Charlotte picked at the fabric of the sofa. “Do you think that’s why Daddy left us nothing?”

Rebecca gasped. “Lottie, how can you say such a thing? Father didn’t have a spiteful bone in his body.”

“Well, we must have done something to disappoint him,” Charlotte reasoned. “Some slight that we weren’t even aware of. Maybe because he knew how much we loathe Jasmine. Maybe he was upset with us.”