6
After she’d given her statement to the police and walked the crime scene with them, Soleil finally took that shower she’d hoped to have earlier with Jake. But he’d gone into full-on take control mode, forgetting his promise to her. After the cops left, Jake’s friends, Hank and A.J., had both shown up, along with an army of men who’d already descended on the house to repair fencing and install security cameras. All the activity made her nervous. Another emotion foreign to her. In short, her peace had been disturbed, and it had all begun with Jake Stanton coming home. She still felt the vandalism had something to do with him. Not that anyone was listening to her.
Inside the house, A.J. was showing Jake how to set the alarm and disarm it. Hank had given Jake an industrial-looking laptop that had some sort of secure surveillance link to his security company. The men seemed pleased with the results of their work.
“You sure you won’t have dinner with us?” Jake asked the men.
“Our wives are expecting us in Miami for some sort of function. I’ve forgotten what,” A.J. said.
“True,” Hank said. “I’m not looking forward to putting on another suit.”
“I was lucky you guys were still around. I just hate you had to rent a helicopter.” Jake said.
“It’s a loaner. Belongs to one of Sadie’s friends.”
Jake just shook his head. “Thank you.”
The three men were an impressive-looking group. All big and tall and muscular.
“Let me know if you want security for your daughter and Soleil’s sister,” Hank said.
“I appreciate your help.”
“Of course,” Hank said.
“Anytime,” A.J. added.
“Soleil,” Hank said, “Nice to meet you. You’re in good hands.”
“The best,” A.J. agreed.
“Nice to meet you both,” Soleil said with a smile.
After the men were gone, Jake turned to her and said, “Caroline called a little while ago. She wants to have dinner.”
“Okay,” Soleil said. “I’ll be fine here with the security system set.”
Jake shook his head. “Until we know more, you have to stay with me, 24/7.”
Soleil crossed her arms and propped her feet on the coffee table. “That sounds suspiciously like a rule and like a need to be in control, which are both in direct violation of our agreement.”
Jake put his hands on his hips, facing her. “If I’m going to keep you safe, there will have to be a few rules. You not going anywhere without me is at the top of the list.”
“Anything else?”
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to reach out to your contacts to see if anything suspicious is going on with any of the players in Columbia or the town where the girls were.”
“I’ll email my agent.”
“Use my laptop.”
She sighed. “I’ll have to since the vandals broke mine.”
He came closer and sat. “Sorry. I am barking out orders.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Your turn,” he said.
“For what?”
“Let me have it. Order me around.”
“A lot has happened here today that I wasn’t part of, and that’s not okay. So, explain it all to me.”
“The fence has been repaired, and there’s a new gate at the end of the driveway with an intercom and keypad entry.”
“And the security system? There are cameras everywhere?”
“Yes. If anyone gets on this property or goes into the lagoon behind the property or the ocean on the other side, we’ll know it.”
“Is Hank or A.J. monitoring?” Soleil asked. The thought of men with guns lurking around the property made her uneasy, even with all the security in place.
“Both.”
“Wow. Pays to have friends in the biz, I suppose,” she said, chewing on her thumbnail.
“For sure. Anything else?”
“Yes, another day like today, and I will leave.” She picked a piece of grass off his jeans. “I was alternately bored, nervous, scared, and angry, all emotions I’m not used to.”
“What can I do to help?”
“You’re here, and we’re alone. That’s nice.”
He eased his arm around her and got closer. “We have to leave soon, and I should probably get a shower.” He nuzzled her ear. “Want to join me?”
“Not if you want to leave soon. You promised me slow, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Damn,” he said and kissed her. “Later?”
“Is that a good idea?”
He pressed a kiss to her neck. “If I was your bodyguard, it would be against protocol. No personal involvement allowed.”
“Because you have to stay objective. Makes sense.”
“But technically, I’m not your bodyguard. I’m someone you know who’s looking out for you.”
“Someone I’ve slept with,” she corrected. “Which brings us back to my question. Maybe we should put our agreement on hold until after this all settles.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I’m not sure what I want matters anymore. My life spiraled out of control while I was just living it.”
“Are you talking about your job or me?” he asked.
“Both,” she said.
“I can’t help with the job, but I can help with the other.” He pulled her in and kissed her because the feelings he stirred in her weren’t complicated at all. But at least when she just let herself feel, things were pretty simple. And man, did Jake make her feel.
When he broke the kiss, she ran her fingers over his chin. She loved the feel of his beard. “That was nice.”
“Just nice?”
“Nice is what I needed.” She paused and added, “Thank you for doing all this. You didn’t have to, you know. I could have gone to a hotel and hired security.”
“Not on my watch.”
“Why is that?”
“I don’t understand the question,” he said. Then he asked, “Wait. Has no one ever looked after you?”
She shook her head.
“Not even your parents?”
“Especially not my parents.” She laughed. “They never had time for us.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Says the man who didn’t take care of his kids.” As soon as she said the words, she regretted it. “Oh, Jake. I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.” She rushed to add. “You did important work that kept you away. My parents were right there and didn’t look after us. It’s completely different.”
“No. It’s okay.” He stood. “I’m going to shower. Leave in fifteen, okay?”
She stood, too, and went after him. “It’s not okay.” She got in front of him, halting his progress. “Please forgive me. My own experiences get in my way sometimes, but that’s no excuse.”
“You’re forgiven, of course,” he said. But his eyes had gone cold. He moved around her and disappeared into the bedroom.
* * *
“Daddy!” Caroline launched herself into Jake’s arms. He lifted her into a big bear hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Not as good as it is to see you.” He set her feet on the floor and put a hand on her stomach. “I’m sorry. Did I squeeze you too hard?”
Caroline practically glowed. “Junior and I like big hugs. It’s all good.”
“Soleil!” Caroline turned and hugged her. “It’s good to see you. Daddy said you might be joining us.”
Soleil glanced at Jake, then Caroline. “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along. This is my favorite restaurant,” she said with a smile.
“Of course not! We have so much to discuss. The wedding is a little over a week away. I have some things I need to go over with you both.”
Caroline sat, and Soleil slid into the open booth beside Jake.
Caroline gave them a curious look, but said, “So you two worked something out?”
“We did,” Jake said.
“I’m sorry about causing a situation, but I was going to say something the next time you called, Daddy. You know, you can be so hard to reach.”
“Not a problem. I have plenty of room,” he said. “You look beautiful, honey.”
“If you mean getting fatter by the day, thank you. I think.” Caroline picked up her menu. “The wedding can’t come soon enough. I’m just hoping I don’t need another dress alteration before the big day. How can such a tiny baby make my hips spread so fast?”
“You’re hardly showing,” Soleil said.
“Tell that to my wedding dress.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “There’s only so much material to let out. I don’t mind telling you, I’m getting nervous.”
“I’ll buy you another dress if it comes to it, sweetie,” Jake said.
Caroline cut him a look. “Wedding dresses aren’t easily replaced. Do you know how many I tried on to find this one? The perfect one?”
Jake’s heart squeezed. “I wish I’d been there to see you try them all on.”
Caroline reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Oh Daddy, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I know you would have come with us if you could have.”
“I’ve missed a lot, but I intend to make up for that,” he said.
Caroline gave him a curious look. “What do you mean?”
“I’m home for good. I’ve retired.” Every time he said those words, it felt great.
“What?” Caroline squeaked. “Are you kidding me?”
Jake smiled. “For real, and I’m making it my mission to spoil you and this baby completely rotten.”
Caroline’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
Jake reached across the table and brushed the tears off his daughter’s cheeks. “Don’t cry, sweetie.”
“They’re happy tears.” She sniffed and waved her hand in the air. “Sorry. Pregnancy hormones.” She wiped her nose on her napkin and continued, “Does Charlie know?”
“No. I wanted to surprise him, too.”
“Not that he’ll be around to spend time with you.” She turned to Soleil and added, “He’s going into the military, like Daddy. I still haven’t forgiven him.”
“He has to follow his convictions, just like you,” Jake said.
“I know. Ugh.”
“Where’s Brad tonight?” Jake asked about her fiancé.
“Out of town depositions.”
Jake said to Soleil, “Brad just graduated law school, and Caroline just started her second year.”
“Yes,” Caroline said. “And I’m clerking at a law firm in town.”
“That’s great, Soleil said.
“Man, your skin is the most gorgeous color,” Caroline said. “Do you spray tan? I’ve been thinking about trying it for the wedding. Tanning beds and sunbathing are out of the question since I burn instantly.”
Jake had forgotten how fast his daughter could plow through a conversation.
Soleil said, “I have genetics to thank for that.”
“Oh right,” Caroline said. “I forget that sometimes because I don’t think I ever met your parents.”
“Probably not. By the time you met Luna, she was living with our Aunt Shirley.”
“Well, your skin is gorgeous,” Caroline repeated.
“Thank you,” Soleil picked up her menu. “When I was younger, I hated it and avoided the sun, but now, I don’t care.”
“Isn’t it funny how the things that bothered you when you were a teenager seem stupid now?” Caroline said.
Jake was beginning to feel like a squeaky, third wheel. It’d been so long since he was a teenager, he couldn’t even remember the things that had bothered him, but he said, “Yeah. When I was a teenager, I used to hate having to ride in my dad’s old rickety wagon to school. So embarrassing.”
Caroline threw a straw wrapper at him. “Stop.” She turned and said, “Where is that waitress with my appetizer?” She caught a woman’s eye and motioned her over.
The waitress was a pretty blonde who looked to be in her late thirties. She had short, wavy Marilyn Monroe hair and wore bright red lipstick. “Your appetizer was just being plated. I’ll have it right out, sugar. Hey, y’all,” she said to Jake. She glanced at Soleil but refocused on him. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Jake looked at Soleil, waiting for her to order first. “Water, please,” she said. Was it him, or did she suddenly look uncomfortable?
“Sweet tea for me,” Jake said.
The woman’s smile was flirty. Great. Normally, he wouldn’t mind and might even flirt with her, but his interest definitely lay elsewhere.
“Sure thing, hon,” she said. “Be right back.”
“I forgot how friendly people are here,” Soleil commented as she read the menu.
“So, Soleil,” Caroline began. “I wanted to get some photos done before the wedding if you have time.”
“What did you have in mind?” Soleil asked, still focused on the menu.
“Some casual shots of me and Brad on the beach, and since Dad’s here, some pictures of us together would be great, too. Then the day of the wedding, I want posed pictures before the ceremony. There’s a nice, formal garden at the church.”
“Yeah, okay. When do you want to do the casual shots?”
“This weekend if that works for you?”
“Sure. Anywhere in particular?”
“The beach at Dad’s?” she suggested.
That was not a good idea given what had happened today. Until the police figured out what was going on, he didn’t want anyone else out there. “Wouldn’t the beach near the pier be better?” he suggested.
“Oh, yeah. Good thinking,” Caroline said.
“Here you go, sugar,” the waitress said, setting Caroline’s appetizer in front of her, and then she put a big glass of iced tea in front of Jake. She leaned over him, brushing her breast on his arm to put Soleil’s water in front of her. He tried to back up, but there was only so much room in the booth.
“Oh, excuse me,” she said to Jake with a laugh. “Y’all know what you want to order?”
While Caroline ordered, Jake checked out Soleil. She was sipping her water, ignoring them. Maybe she’d missed what had just happened.
“What about you, hon?” the waitress asked Soleil.
When she didn’t respond, Jake said, “Soleil?”
“You look flushed,” Caroline said to Soleil.
“I’m fine. Just a little dehydrated.” Soleil took another sip of her water and choked on it.
She wasn’t ill. She was pissed. Jake took her drink, set it on the table, and rubbed her back. “Easy,” he said.
“Let me get you some honey and lemon,” the waitress said and disappeared.
“Well, that was embarrassing,” Soleil said.
When she glanced at Jake, then the retreating waitress, he was certain she wasn’t talking about her choking.
“You okay?” Jake said.
“Great,” she said.
Caroline came to the rescue again. “You mentioned your parents earlier. Where are they now?”
“Somewhere in Africa.”
“Oh, wow,” Caroline said. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how did they meet? Are they from here?”
“My dad was from here. They met when Mom was doing research for her doctoral thesis. Her topic was organic, sustainable farming, which was what my dad did.”
“That’s so interesting. Is her Ph.D. in Agriculture then?”
“Anthropology.”
“Very cool,” Caroline said.
“How many people are coming to the wedding?” Soleil asked, changing topics.
“It’s small—about fifty or so. Immediate family and a few close friends”
“That surprises me,” Jake said. “You always loved big parties.”
“I wanted it to be intimate, with people I don’t feel like I need to entertain and split my time between, you know?”
“It’s your day. It should be exactly what you want,” Soleil said.
Feeling the tension radiating off Soleil again, he said, “I agree.”
“Here we go.” The waitress returned with hot water, a cup with lemon slices, and a glass container of honey for Soleil. “This will do the trick.”
“Thank you,” Soleil said.
“Are you ready to order?” she asked.
“The edamame appetizer and seaweed salad,” Soleil said.
“You got it.”
“How about you, hon?” she said to Jake.
“Chicken pad thai.”
“You like it hot?”
“Yeah.” Jake frowned. Was she showing more cleavage than she had earlier?
She winked at him. “You got it,” she said and went to turn in their order.
Soleil threw her napkin on the table and said, “Excuse me.” Jake stood as he watched her head for the restroom, bracelets jangling.
“What’s up with her?” Caroline asked. “She’s usually so fun and easygoing.”
Jake shrugged. He was not about to break it down for her.
“Dad.” Caroline’s tone got his attention. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you two argue about her staying at your place?”
“No. I told you, I’m fine with it.” He picked up his napkin and fussed with putting it in his lap to have something to focus on besides his daughter.
“Well, huh. The alternative is that the two of you made out.”
Jake opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
“Daddy! Oh my God! You did, didn’t you? You’re blushing!” She laughed. “Wow, that was fast.”
“We are not having this discussion, Caroline,” Jake began, his tone stern.
“I’m not being judgy. I like Soleil.”
“But?” Jake prompted.
“No buts,” Caroline said and took another bite of her spring roll.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. You’re both adults.”
Jake was surprised at what he was hearing.
“Did she tell you that she’s a famous photographer?”
That threw him even more off-balance. “She shared a little about her work,” he said.
“I’m sure she was too modest. She’s been nominated for a Pulitzer.”
He had not expected that. “Wow.”
“Her work takes her all over the world.”
Jake put his forearms on the table and leaned foreard. “You going somewhere with this?”
“Just stating facts,” Caroline said and sipped her iced tea.
“Noted.”
“When she comes back from the bathroom, I’ll excuse myself so you two can talk.”
“About what?” Jake frowned.
Caroline rolled her eyes.
Before he could respond, Soleil returned. Jake noticed her mouth was set in a hard line, and that she didn’t look at him. He got up until she was seated, and then he slid in beside her. She put her napkin in her lap and stirred the hot lemon and honey.
“God, my bladder feels like it’s the size of a pea,” Caroline said dramatically. “Excuse me.”
Shit. He turned to Soleil, who was definitely trying to ignore him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“You sure?”
The waitress showed up again with another sweet tea for him. He automatically said, “Thanks.” She winked and left. That’s when he noticed the napkin she’d set his drink on had a phone number on it.
“I bet she’d show you a really good time tonight if you didn’t have to babysit me,” Soleil commented, her tone casual. Too casual.
Jake leaned in close to whisper against her ear, “The only person in this room I’m interested in showing me a good time is you.”
Her shoulders lowered a degree. “Which isn’t happening because you’re my bodyguard,” she stated.
“I would say I like you jealous, but I gotta be honest. I liked you a lot better before we walked in here.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“If you say so.”
Caroline returned. “God, this place is slow today. Where’s the food?”
“I’m sure the waitress will pop up soon,” Soleil said. “She’s got a thing for your dad.”
“All women have a thing for my dad,” Caroline commented. “I used to hate when he was in town,” she said and nodded toward Jake. “Every girl I knew wanted to come to the house. So annoying.”
“What?” Jake said.
“Did you think I always had that many girlfriends over?”
Actually, he had.
“In fact, the only time I could coax Luna out of the library was when you were around.”
Soleil laughed.
“That’s awful,” Jake said.
“I know, right?” Caroline agreed. “I mean, you’re my dad, so I don’t see it. Why don’t you explain it to us, Soleil?”
Soleil glanced at Jake, then shrugged. “I hadn’t really noticed.”
What the hell?
The waitress brought their food, and they ate. Well, Soleil pretended to eat, but really just moved her food around her plate.
“Did you tell Mom you were retiring?” Caroline asked.
“Your mom and I haven’t talked in a while. Now that you and Charlie are adults, there’s not much reason to, which I’m sure makes your stepfather happy.”
“Kevin never minded having your around, Dad.” She paused, then added, “Does it bother you that I want you both to walk me down the aisle?”
“Of course not,” he said and meant it. Kevin was a great guy. Jake had been genuinely glad Kevin had been there for his kids when he couldn’t.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Caroline pushed her plate away. “That was so good, but I need to go. I have a stack of interrogatories to prepare.”
“At this hour?” Jake asked.
Caroline stood, and Jake did as well. “It’s for school. Not work.” She kissed him, and said, “I love you. So glad you’re home.”
Jake smiled. “Me, too, honey.”
“Call you later. Bye, Soleil.” And she was gone.
Soleil was quiet. She’d given up playing with her food. “You didn’t eat,” he said.
“I’d box it up, but your new girlfriend, Gina, would probably spit in it. She’s been sending me nasty looks the whole time we’ve been here, and she never bothered to refill my water.”
Jake motioned the waitress over and said, “Could you bring us a box, and the lady would like some more—”
“I’m good. Let’s go.” Soleil dug in her huge, shapeless shoulder bag and found some cash that she tossed on the table. Before he could say, “I’ve got this,” she slid out of the booth, stood, and made for the door.
Jake got his wallet and tossed a couple of twenties on the table, hoping it was enough. To Gina, he said, “Thanks,” and followed Soleil. Outside, he spotted her in the parking lot near his truck and jogged to catch up. “Hey.” He snagged her arm, making her stop. “What are you doing? You can’t go off on your own, remember?”
“It’s a parking lot,” she pointed out. “With streetlights.”
He walked her the rest of the way to the truck, but stopped to stand in front of her instead of unlocking the door. “What’s got you so worked up?”
“It tends to make a person cranky when criminals go through her personal belongings. And knowing said criminals are still out there doesn’t help.”
“You’re safe with me,” he promised. “And I’m calling bullshit because you were fine before we got to the restaurant.”
“Caroline knows,” Soleil said, arms crossed.
“What—did she say something?”
“No, but it was pretty obvious. And uncomfortable, especially with that waitress practically throwing herself at you.”
He stepped into her, then leaned down and kissed her, once, twice, and because he couldn’t stop, he kissed her again, each time, lingering a bit longer. “You’re taller,” he said between kisses. She put a hand under his shirt, and he wanted to do the same with her. She wore a short tank top with lace around the waist—a waist that didn’t quite reach her white shorts which rode low on her hips and left a lot of leg exposed. She also had on some kind of long, flowy lightweight jacket with butterflies on it, and pink painted toenails peeked out of her bright blue high-heel ankle boots with fringe. He’d asked her to not go naked, but he was finding a fully clothed Soleil a problem, too.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said. He hadn’t gotten caught in the middle of a PDA since he was in high school, but she might change that for him.
He hooked a finger into the waistband of her shorts. “If you wanna throw yourself at me, I won’t complain.”
She pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge. He brushed his fingers down her cheek. “What’s it going to take to see you smile again.”
“This just got really complicated, Jake. Your daughter knows about us. Someone may be after me.” She sighed and added, “And other women want you, damn it, and it pisses me off because that bothers me.”
“It is a lot to process. And I mean, I have a lot to think about, too,” he agreed. “Here I am with a daughter who’s getting married and about to make me a grandfather—and I’m not even old enough to be having grandkids,” he teased.
Soleil laughed, which wounded his pride a little. “Hey, I was eighteen when Caroline was born,” he tried to explain.
“I suppose this kind of thing happens when you have kids when you’re young,” she pointed out.
“Add to that,” he said, continuing with his own list, “I’m not even through one day of retirement.” He kissed her again. “And I certainly didn’t expect you.”
Soleil shook her head. “What are we going to do?”
He unlocked the truck and offered her his hand. “I guess we’ll just have to make the best of it.”