Chapter Two

Tasha

I look over at the dark blue Lexus SUV parked in front of the door and immediately, thoughts of the owner of the vehicle float to mind. Those sparkling green eyes that are often laced with humor but belie a dark intensity that rattles me deep inside. This morning I had no idea he was here when I burst into the kitchen on what has become a usual tirade complaining about the writer’s block that has gripped me as of late. When I finally noticed him staring at me so intently, I was sure he was thinking I was crazy. It took all my willpower not to turn and run out of the door and hide in the guesthouse. Well, I should probably stop calling it the guesthouse seeing as how it became my permanent residence when I moved from Vermont down to Dallas to be closer to Coral while she’s expecting.

“You ready?” Coral startles me out of my thoughts.

I jump hearing her voice behind me.  “Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Yup, I’m ready.”

 “You sure you’re okay?” she asks curiously.

“I’m fine.”

She stares at me for a while, trying to read me.

I hate when she does that. “Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“You know what. You’re treating me like I’m one of your suspects or something; trying to read me for any trace of deception.”

“Trace of deception?” Coral raises an eyebrow, smirking.

I lower my head and grin. “Yeah. I’ve been doing research for a character. One who reads people’s body language and that term comes up frequently.”

“Listen to you sounding like Harriet the Spy,” she teases.

 “Shut up,” I retort.

“Let’s go. Mitch is meeting us at the front gate,” she grumbles as we both climb into her Mercedes.

It’s not the same Mercedes she had ten years ago. This one is a newer version of the car Liam bought her as a graduation gift. Mitch is Coral’s security guard anytime she leaves home. It’s been months, but she’s still pissed that Liam is forcing her to travel everywhere with security.

“How’s it going with Mitch these days?” I question, knowing it will lead to a rant.

She snorts. “I can’t believe Li is still doing this. Don’t get me wrong. Mitch is a good guy and all, but I can take care of myself.”

That’s what she always says. And I’m sure there isn’t a person alive who has met Coral and doesn’t realize she’s capable of handling herself. I’ve no doubt that the very car we’re riding in has no less than two weapons at her immediate disposal. But I am grateful my brother-in-law takes such good care of her even if it ruffles her feathers a little bit.

“Everyone knows you can take care of yourself, but you also deserve to be taken care of. No one does that better than Liam Bennett.”

“Whatever,” she says, rolling her eyes as we turn onto the highway that will lead us to the community center where she’s the director. Mitch is right behind us in his dark SUV.

Although, I’m looking out the window, I can feel Coral’s eyes on me.

“What?”

“That was an unexpected surprise this morning,” she says, catching me off guard.

“What was?”

“Don’t play dumb. I know you didn’t burst in the kitchen expecting to see Jeremy.”

I shrug nonchalantly. “No, he’s not there most mornings. Why would I have expected him to be there today?”

“No reason. Just making conversation. That was the first time you’ve seen him in how long?”

One month, two weeks, and three days. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s been a few weeks, I guess.”

I can tell Coral knows I’m lying, but being the dutiful sister she is, she doesn’t call me on it. The truth is I have every encounter with Jeremy committed to memory. From the first time I saw him standing next to Liam, as they waited for Coral to walk down the aisle they’d set up in their backyard for the second wedding ceremony in the presence of all their family and friends. I remember the way the sun glinted off his dark brown hair that he let flow freely. Even today I recall the way his jaw moved as he worked the ever-present toothpick on the side of his mouth. I remember later that day how I felt like I was falling into an abyss as he held me the one time we danced together. Strangely, the usual recoil I have when meeting someone new, especially a man, wasn’t there. His embrace felt natural. I can even recollect the sadness I felt when I saw him a month later, and he’d cut his hair so that it only fell to his chin.

“Earth to Tasha,” Coral interrupts my fantasizing. “You in there?”

“Y-yeah. What were you saying?”

“I was saying we’re here.” She frowns at me.

I turn and indeed, we’re parked in front of the community center. “Oh.” I avoid eye contact with Coral, unfasten my seatbelt, and get out of the car.

She is still frowning at me even as Mitch opens her door for her and helps her out of the car. “Thank you,” she says.

“Hey, Ms. Coral and Ms. Tasha,” a couple of the younger kids greet us when we first enter.

It’s the beginning of July, so the kids are all out of school for the summer and many of them love nothing more than spending their days here for our day camp.

“Good morning, Jayshawn and Michael,” Coral and I greet the boys.

Once they leave, I follow Coral to her office. When she turns the lights on, the first thing I see on her wall is a huge poster of the cover of my first book, “Danica’s Odyssey.” Right next to it is a poster of the second book cover, “Danica’s Quest” and then the cover for “Danica’s Conquest,” my third book. I knew the posters were there because I’ve been to Coral’s office a number of times in the last few months. But seeing them always startles me. I stare at the posters for a few seconds, my pride turning into a somber feeling as I think about the writer’s block I’ve been experiencing over the last few months. I’ve been writing and making up stories since I first learned to write at the age of five and I’ve never experienced anything like this. I have no idea how to handle it.

“Hey, you’re not supposed to be thinking about writing right now. You’re here to help out with the kids,” Coral reminds me.

“I know, but it just sucks. I hate this,” I say, feeling like a failure.

“I know, but it’ll work out. You just moved across the country not too long ago. Maybe you just need time to adjust to your new surroundings.”

I shrug. “Maybe that’s it. I doubt it, though.” I don’t tell Coral that I suspect there’s another reason behind my writer’s block.

“How about you do the reader’s circle this afternoon? They’ve almost finished ‘Danica’s Odyssey’ and they absolutely can’t get enough of it.”

I smirk at that. The readers circle is for the kids ages nine to about twelve years old and it takes place in the midafternoon right before they’re picked up to go home. I’ve read from my book for them before. The interesting part is no one here except Coral actually knows I’m the author of the Danica series. I write under a pen name and I’ve made it clear to my agent and publisher that I wish to remain anonymous. I haven’t done the usual promotional tours, bookstore signings, or anything else that requires face-to-face interaction. Still, even with my reluctance to get out there in person, Danica’s book series has sold like hotcakes. Despite the great sales, I’ve been getting even more of a push from my agent to step out from behind the books and show my face.

“Earth to Tasha,” Coral summons again.

“Sorry. I did it again.” I grin. I have a tendency to get lost in my own thoughts even while in mid conversation. I think it’s the writer in me. I spend so much time in my head that it becomes habitual to forget others are around.

“I’m used to it. Let’s go. I’ve got to stop by the classrooms and different groups before I get a swim in with the older kids.”

I nod and follow Coral out. I watch her do her thing, conferring with the teachers and staff who work there during the summer, before she heads off to her office to change into her bathing suit and shorts to swim with the older kids. I watch her retreating back. This is a huge difference from her previous job of running all over the world trying to save it, but she’s taken to it like a fish to water. I have to confess I’m so relieved too. I hated the thought of Coral being in such danger at all times. Life’s not guaranteed to any of us, but at least she’s safer now, and I know Liam will do his best to protect her at all times. I smile at that thought just as I spot Mitch following Coral toward the pool.