Finding Home E-Book

Mary E. Thompson

• Herausgeber: BluEyed Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

Adaline Jameson walked in on her fiance in bed with another woman just three months before they were supposed to get married. She picked up and left him, not giving him a chance to explain. She grabbed her best friend, Rosienna Walker, and headed south to her dad’s beach house in Shelly Isle, South Carolina.
Rosienna Walker is more than happy to leave town. Her parents’ poisonous relationship has made her believe love doesn’t exist, at least not for women in her family. Getting away from her family is just what she needs to be able to start over again.
Neither women expects to find themselves in Shelly Isle. They go for a vacation, escaping their past that they’d rather forget, but find a peace in the small island that they’ve never experienced before. The men are nice to look at, too.
What was supposed to be a vacation turns into relocation as the friends fall in love with their new home. Together and separate Rosienna and Adaline fight for what they want, and what they don’t want. The friends discover more about themselves than they ever imagined. And they finally find home.

Leseprobe

FINDING HOME

MARY E THOMPSON

Finding Home

Copyright © 2013 Mary E Thompson

Cover Copyright © 2020 Mary E Thompson

Cover Photo from depositphotos, Copyright © NadaK2

Published by BluEyed Press, All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, businesses, locations, and events are either products of the author’s creative imagination or are used in a fictitious sense. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Ebook ISBN: 978-0-989995-43-6

Created with Vellum

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About the Author

1

“Ros, wake up, we’re here.” Adaline Jameson nudged her best friend. Rosienna Walker stirred in the front seat next to Adaline as they pulled into the driveway of the beach house. The headlights passed over the mailbox and Adaline squinted to read the numbers on the mailbox. Rosienna sat up in her seat and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Adaline drove slowly up the short driveway toward the house. Darkness was setting in around them and casting an eerie glow on the house. The weathered siding reminded Adaline of an old haunted house. The pillars under the house left enough room for two cars, but Adaline knew she wouldn’t see a second car around anytime soon.

Rosienna interrupted Adaline’s pity party when she asked, “Where did your dad say the key is?”

“It’s on the side of the house in a hide-a-key underneath the windowsill. I’m going to park right here and hope the lights shine enough for us to get the key. Once we have it, we’ll come back for our stuff.”

“Fuck that,” Adaline said. “We’re not going up there like some scared little bitches. If someone wants to attack us, they’re getting one hell of a fight. Park under the house and turn off the car. We’re grabbing our stuff then we’ll find the key.”

Adaline let herself fill with strength from her best friend. She knew she wouldn’t have survived the last few days without Rosienna’s strength. Adaline wasn’t ready to give it up now.

Rosienna pulled her suitcases out of the trunk and waited for Adaline to get hers. She might be tough, but she wasn’t stupid. There was always safety in numbers. Rosienna stomped up the stairs to scare off any animals or idiots on the porch. At the top of the stairs Adaline pointed to the right and Rosienna led the way to the window.

Key in hand, they turned back to the front door and slid the key in. The door stuck, but unlocked and the women stepped inside. Adaline flipped on the switch next to the front door, light flooding the entryway. She had only been there once before, almost twenty years ago. The inside looked almost as worn as the outside. Adaline was starting to wonder if this was a good idea.

The kitchen was to the left. The honey stained cabinets looked sturdy but old. The quartz countertops were in good shape, but Adaline knew her dad had them installed instead of granite to save some money. The appliances were white but looked like they were replaced in the last few years. It could have been worse, and let’s face it, it was a free place to stay for a few weeks.

To the right was the dining room with a deep cheery stained solid wood table for eight. Rosienna and Adaline to wondered where all those people would sleep. Ahead of them was the living room with a large sectional sofa. Two bedrooms were off to the left with a Jack and Jill bathroom and the master suite was on the right.

The friends dropped their groceries in the kitchen and carried their suitcases to the master bedroom. Adaline wasn’t ready to sleep alone and Rosienna knew it. When Adaline showed up on her doorstep five days ago she didn’t even ask what happened, she just welcomed her friend in and let her cry.

But this was not the time for tears. They were going to celebrate making it to Shelly Isle, South Carolina and have a few drinks.

Rosienna dug through the kitchen cabinets for a blender while Adaline squeezed limes and sliced peaches. After a quick rinse, the blender was ready to go. Adaline threw in the lime juice, peach slices, ice cubes, sugar, and light rum. Rosienna pressed the button while Adaline pulled down glasses. The way the friends moved through the kitchen together was like a choreographed dance with the blender providing their music.

They took their peach daiquiris onto the back porch overlooking the black ocean a few yards away. Adaline finally let herself relax, away from the drama of her last week. The ocean crashed against the sand in the dark, but just hearing it drew out the tension both women had been feeling for days. It was finally time to relax.

* * *

Officer Hayden Babcock was out on patrol. He was tired and ready to go home but knew he needed to make one last check of the beach.

Down at the end of Ocean Lane sat the old Jameson house. Hayden knew it was a party site for a lot of the local kids so he always made sure it was his last stop of the night. That night was no different.

As he got closer to the house he realized there were lights on and a car was parked underneath. The license plates on the car were from New York state. He quickly ran the plates and it didn’t turn up as stolen or missing. The clock on his dashboard read 11:47 pm, but Hayden knew Blake would still be up.

Blake Murphy was Hayden’s best friend and the only one in town who would know if the house was rented that week. Blake’s dad and Mr. Jameson were friends as kids. When Mr. Jameson’s parents died and he inherited the house, he asked Blake’s dad to keep an eye on it. When Blake’s parents died in a car accident a few years ago he got in touch with Mr. Jameson and agreed to keep an eye on the house and do any repairs needed to keep it in good enough shape to rent.

“Hello?” Blake’s deep voice boomed over the car speakers. The TV was blaring in the background telling Hayden he didn’t wake his friend up.

“Hey Blake. Sorry to call so late. There’s a car at the Jameson house and some lights are on. I wanted to check with you before I crash someone’s party. Is the house rented this week?”

“No, man, it’s not. I’m actually going over there tomorrow morning to start replacing the windows. Mr. Jameson isn’t going to rent it out all summer so I can do some of the bigger projects I’ve been talking to him about.”

Hayden sighed, not wanting to deal with that at the end of his shift. “Thanks, man. That’s what I was afraid of.”

“Sorry, buddy. Make sure you call for back-up if it’s more than you can deal with. Don’t try to be the hero,” Blake told his friend, always worried about him going into a situation when he didn’t know what it could be.

“It’ll be fine. Probably some drunk kids and an abandoned car. I’ll make sure it’s all cleaned up in time for you to get started tomorrow. Have a good night.”

Hayden hung up the phone and pulled into the driveway. He positioned his car behind the midnight blue Subaru Legacy in case someone decided to take off. He strapped his radio to his side and slid his gun out of the holster, ready just in case he needed to use it.

Hayden climbed the stairs quietly so he didn’t startle anyone before he could tell them they were trespassing. He peered through the windows next to the front door but didn’t see anyone. Most of the time the kids are on the back patio. He headed to the right to go around the house and hoping to surprise them and get them home safely instead of risking anyone driving drunk.

As Hayden crept around the side porch he heard voices. It sounded like two women. He paused at the corner of the house, trying to figure out if there was anyone else there who could be a bigger threat. When he was satisfied that it was only the two women, he rapped on the edge of the house with the heel of his gun then stepped around the corner.

The women screamed and jumped from their chairs. Glasses smashed against the wooden slats of the porch. They grabbed onto each other and started to run into the house. Hayden announced, “Police, stay where you are,” and the women froze in place.

“This is a private residence and y’all are trespassing. I don’t know how you got in here, but y’all need to pack your stuff up and leave. Now.”

Rosienna turned on her heel and faced Hayden. Every bit of her New York Bitch came out when she opened her mouth, “How dare you come in here and tell us to leave. We have every right to be here. Who the fuck do you think you are? You don’t run this town and you sure as hell don’t own this house. Right now, officer, you are the one who is trespassing. And we would appreciate it if you would get your ass off our property.”

Hayden had training to deal with this, but he had never been challenged so fiercely, especially by such a striking woman. If he saw her on the beach, he’d definitely be trying to take her home.

Her apple green eyes were shining with a fire that told Hayden she was ready for a fight. Her dark red hair made his fingers itch to wrap in it as she wrapped her legs around him. Ooh, she was just what he needed to get over his draught and back into having fun, instead of thinking he was missing something.

“I happen to know you don’t have a reservation here this week, and you don’t own the house. So, enlighten me, how in the world do you think you belong here?” Hayden was amused and intrigued by this woman.

“Her dad owns the place. He told us where to find the key and said we could make ourselves comfortable. And now you’re here harassing us. So you need to get the hell out. We have glass to clean up before we end up in the hospital and I’m sure you have plenty more people to harass for being exactly where they’re supposed to be,” Rosienna snarled at Hayden.

Hayden looked at Adaline, cowering behind Rosienna, and asked, “Is that true?”

Adaline nodded at Hayden. He took in her caramel colored hair and hazel eyes. Hayden had no idea if she looked like her dad or not since he’d never met Mr. Jameson. She was stunning in her own right, but looked lost and a little scared. Something happened to her recently that had her on edge. Hayden had gotten used to identifying the runners vs. the fighters. Adaline was a runner. Rosienna was a fighter.

“I’m going to need to see your ID. To prove you are who you say you are.”

Adaline nodded again, still not speaking to Hayden. She went into the master bedroom leaving Hayden alone with Rosienna. She stared him down, arms crossed over her chest. He took his time appraising her again, looking up and down her strong thin legs, across her tight stomach, over her bouncy breasts, and up to her pouty lips, piercing eyes, and again over her hair, the color of bricks, with curls hanging halfway down her back.

Adaline returned holding out her license to Hayden. He accepted it and scanned the New York State license seeing her name was Adaline Jameson. The picture matched the woman in front of him, satisfying him that she was who she said she was. He handed her back her license and looked to Rosienna. She fixed him with a smirk that told him exactly where she wanted him to go.

He turned back to the porch and stepped over the shattered glass. “I apologize for scaring you ladies. Can I at least help clean this up?”

“No, Officer,” Adaline said before Rosienna jumped in, “we can take care of it. Thanks for checking on the house. We’ll be here for about a month, and it would be great if you could keep an eye out for us. We don’t know anyone here, but it’s nice to know you’re here and watching out for us.”

“Yes, ma’am. I always check the place out before I get off shift. I’ll continue my checks, but I’ll avoid scaring you from now on.”

“Thanks, Officer. We appreciate it. Have a good night,” Adaline told him.

“Y’all, too. Keep your doors locked ladies. This might be a sleepy town, but this house has been abandoned for years. Summer time it’s always packed, but during the off season it’s been used as a party house. You just never know.”

Adaline exchanged a worried look with Rosienna. They mumbled, “Thanks,” to Hayden and he turned the corner of the porch. They stayed still until they heard his footsteps going down the front steps and then his car pull out of the driveways.

Rosienna glanced around at the blackness surrounding the house and looked at her friend. “Why don’t we clean this up in the morning when we can see better? For now, I think we could use some sleep.”

Adaline nodded and slid the doors closed. The women walked together to the front door, checking that it was locked, and then walked through the bedrooms checking window locks and securing the sliding glass door in the master bedroom. Rosienna suggested leaving a few lights on in the living room, just in case, then the women walked together to the master bedroom, and the king sized bed that was calling their names.

2

Blake was always up early. Ever since high school his dad would get him up on weekends to help out around the house or go on a build. He never gave up the habit and was up before the sunrise most days.

Sitting out on his porch he watched the sun peeking out from under the ocean. His beach house was situated near the center of town and afforded him amazing views of the ocean and lots of activity. Of all the houses he owned, that one had always been his favorite.

Blake drunk his Mountain Dew and thought about the work he had going on over the next few weeks. He had a little work on two of his rentals, but the big job he had was over at the Jameson house. Mr. Jameson finally gave him permission to upgrade the house and bring it to a new level. With the work Blake had planned he knew the house would rent for even more money next summer.

Mr. Jameson never made it down for the summer, or any time, to the house. Blake knew he came down when he was a kid, when his parents owned the house. When they died fifteen years ago, Mr. Jameson inherited the house. He held onto the house, even though Blake knew he’d had offers to buy it, but never visited. Blake always wondered why.

But it wasn’t really his business. Mr. Jameson was easy to work with. Blake sent him pictures of issues with the house and Mr. Jameson sent him weekly checks to pay for whatever Blake said was needed. It was a good deal for Blake since he could get the work done without dealing with a picky owner breathing down his neck. He still hated to see such a great house underutilized.

Blake sighed to himself and pushed up off his Adirondack chair. Ready to start the day he gathered his tools and headed to his truck, off to the Jameson house.

When Blake pulled into the driveway he noticed a car under the house. It was a New York State car and he thought back to his conversation with Hayden the night before. Hayden’s squad car wasn’t there so Blake figured everything was okay and the car must have been abandoned, like Hayden said.

At the top of the steps Blake noticed the house was different. The sun was shining bright, but he could see there were lights on inside the house. Blake went around to the back of the house, checking windows to make sure no one had broken in. When he got in front of the back door he saw glass on the porch between the chairs. He circled the rest of the house not finding any broken windows.

Blake checked his phone. It was still early and he didn’t want to wake Hayden up. He knew his friend would be sleeping for a few more hours. Blake pulled his keys out and let himself in the front door of the house.

The kitchen was a mess. Someone had definitely been there. There was a dirty blender in the sink, cutting board and knives, and alcohol on the counter. The lights were on in the kitchen and the living room. Blake checked the bedrooms to the left first, knowing if someone was still there they’ll be in the master, but he wanted to be sure no one was going to sneak up behind him.

The rest of the house was clear so Blake took a deep breath and went to the master bedroom. The door was closed. Blake stopped breathing as he quietly turned the knob. He pushed the door open and froze when it squeaked. He stepped over the creaky floor board and into the room.

Blake’s breath came out in a rush, relief and amusement forced him to start breathing again. He took in the scene in front of him. Two women were in the king size bed in the center of the master bedroom. His eyes went to the brunette. She was turned away from him but he could tell she was beautiful. Her legs were lean and pale, like everyone else’s legs in the middle of March. He followed the curve of her muscles up to her tight shorts that cupped a perfectly round ass. Her ass gave way to a narrow waist exposed between her shorts and tank top. Her grey tank top hugged her ribcage over her back then met the edge of her long caramel hair. Her tangled hair looked beach worn and Blake wondered if she was out on the beach yesterday. No, he would have noticed her.

He looked at the redhead next to her. She had a gorgeous face and stunning hair. Her frame was thin and sexy. She radiated sex appeal, even asleep. She looked like she would be a ton of fun, but also way too much for Blake to deal with. She was more Hayden’s type.

Blake’s eyes drifted back to the brunette as he crossed the room to where she was sleeping. He wondered if the women were together and found himself hoping they weren’t. He got around the edge of the bed and peered at the brunette’s face. Her lips were a perfect bow shape, she had a tiny nose that fit her face, and her closed eyes had long lashes that he imagined batting at him.

She stirred in her sleep, turning toward her friend. Blake was rewarded with a view of her perky breasts tightly restrained in her tank top, barely.

Blake’s phone trilled loudly in the silent room. He ran out but heard the women moving before he closed the door. He quickly answered his phone and whispered, “Hello?”

“Blake, man, I’m sorry. I never called you last night,” Hayden sounded groggy, like he just woke up. “The Jameson house. There were two women there. It’s the owner’s daughter and her friend. I’d stay away from there today. The friend is a feisty one. She’ll rip your head off.”

“Thanks, man, but it’s too late. I’m already here,” Blake heard the women climb out of bed in the master bedroom, knowing they were likely flipping out at that moment. “I need to go. I think I woke them up and I need to tell them who I am and why I’m here before they attack me. Get some more sleep. You sound worn out.”

“Yeah, thanks, bud. I will. Good luck,” Hayden told Blake before he hung up the phone.

Blake turned back to the bedroom and knew he needed to put the ladies at ease before they came out there fighting. He knocked on the bedroom door and called out to them, “Ladies, I’m not here to hurt you. If you will come out, I’ll explain to you who I am.”

The door creaked open and the redhead stuck her head out. Blake was across the room and put his hands up to show he wasn’t holding anything. The redhead stepped out first, still in her shorts and tank top. The brunette followed her and Blake looked at her. His breath stopped as his eyes met her hazel ones. She was even more stunning when she was awake. Her wide eyes made her look innocent, but he saw fresh pain in them. She watched him, trying to decide if she could trust him and Blake knew she must be the daughter. The redhead had to be the feisty one Hayden mentioned.

Blake trained his eyes on Adaline and said, “My name is Blake Murphy. My dad knew your dad when they were kids. They kept in touch a little, but my dad always kept an eye on the house for your grandparents and then your dad when he inherited the house. When my dad died, I took over caring for the house since your dad isn’t here much. I came this morning because I’m replacing the windows in the house. My truck is outside with the windows in it. You can call your dad and ask him about me if you want. I’m sorry I woke you ladies up, but I didn’t know you were here.”

“That seems to happen a lot around here. God, this town is all in everyone else’s business,” the redhead said. Blake smiled, knowing she was talking about Hayden.

“Officer Babcock is a good friend of mine. I know he was here last night. That was him calling me a moment ago to let me know y’all are here. I apologize for bothering you. I can come back if you need me to. Before I go though, there is some glass on the back porch that I would like to clean up so no one gets hurt. Will that be okay with y’all?”

Blake didn’t want to leave but knew the brunette needed to trust him before he could be there. The ladies exchanged a look and Rosienna told him, “No, it’s okay. Do the work you had planned. We can clean up the glass though. That was compliments of your friend when he accused us of trespassing last night.”

Blake smiled when Rosienna sneered the word ‘friend.’ He knew that expression. Women either loved Hayden or hated him. It seemed Rosienna was in the hate category.

“I’ll clean up the glass while you ladies get changed. I don’t want you getting hurt,” he looked at Adaline when he said it. “If you don’t have breakfast plans, I know a great little place for you to go, my treat. I’ll give you directions so you ladies can get out for a while and I can start work.”

“Don’t you want to join us?” Adaline asked him. Her cheeks flushed when Blake’s attention was drawn immediately to her.

“Thank you, ma’am, but no. I don’t want to intrude on you any more than I already have. By the time you get back from breakfast I’ll have most of the windows in your bedroom replaced so you know you’re able to use the bedroom without worrying about me being in there.”

Blake watched as disappointment crossed Adaline’s face. He wanted to wipe away any trace of her being less than happy. “How about lunch? I’ll join you ladies for lunch after I get some work done.”

Blake swore Adaline brightened up but saw her guard was still up. She smiled and nodded at him before turning to the master bedroom. She stopped at the door and turned back to Blake. He was still watching her when she said, “I’m Adaline, by the way. And this is Rosienna. It’s nice to meet you Blake.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Jameson.”

Adaline and Rosienna went into the bedroom. Rosienna closed the door behind them and turned on Adaline. “You like him.”

“Not a chance. I’ve had enough of men for a lifetime. I’ve barely left Drew. I’m not getting back into anything right now. I don’t even know him.”

“Listen, I know you’re hurt, but you have to remember, Drew was an asshole. This guy might be a decent guy. Not like that cop from last night.”

Adaline smiled at her best friend, knowing she thought Officer Babcock was hot. Rosienna would never admit it though.

They got dressed in clean shorts and short sleeved shirts. Adaline grabbed a light jacket since it’s March, but Rosienna told her they won’t need it. The house was empty when they left the bedroom, but they heard Blake outside.

Rosienna stomped down the stairs in her flip flops with Adaline quietly on her heels. Blake was in the back of his truck unstrapping windows to take upstairs. He jumped down when the women reached his truck.

He handed a slip of paper to Adaline, letting his fingers brush her palm. Their eyes met as a spark flashed between them. Blake smiled, but Adaline quickly pulled her hand away.

“This is the address and directions to Joan’s Place. It’s the best place around for breakfast. I already called Joan and she’s going to take good care of y’all. I’ll get this work done so I can be out of your way quickly, and I’ll talk to your dad about everything else I had planned to do. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Thanks,” Adaline whispered as she turned toward her car. Rosienna climbed in the passenger side and read over the directions. Adaline started the car and saw Blake behind her ready to guide her out of the driveway. She backed out with Blake’s help and they turned toward breakfast.

Adaline and Rosienna walked in the door to Joan’s Place and were immediately hit with the smell of breakfast. The hustle around them indicated it was a popular place, just like Blake said. After a moment an older woman approached them at the hostess stand. “You must be Adaline and Rosienna. Welcome to Joan’s Place. I’m Joan. Let’s get you two seated and we can find you something to eat.”

Adaline felt at home there. She looked around the restaurant at the pictures lining the walls. Joan led them to a booth in the back of the restaurant. There was a bar along the back wall with doors leading to the kitchen. The booths along the right and left walls were well worn midnight blue leather. The tables in the center of the room had wooden framed chairs with the same midnight blue leather on the seats and backs of the chairs. All the tables were whitewashed wood making the space feel open and breezy. The swift ocean breeze helped too.

“What can I get y’all to drink?” Joan asked, her southern drawl more pronounced than Blake’s or Hayden’s.

Adaline asked for coffee and Rosienna ordered Coke. Joan turned to leave while the ladies picked up their menus.

“It’s going to take me a while to get used to the accent around here,” Adaline told Rosienna.

“I like it. I’m ready for something different. I think we’re going to have a good month here, or longer if you decide to stay. If nothing else the scenery is good,” Rosienna said as a pair of firefighters walked in the door. They sat themselves at the bar, their backs to Adaline and Rosienna. Adaline rolled her eyes as Rosienna openly stared at the men.

Joan returned with their drinks and set them on the table in front of the ladies. She eyed them suspiciously then followed Rosienna’s gaze to the firefighters. “I see you can appreciate a fine specimen,” she told Rosienna, eyebrows raised.

Rosienna blushed under the older woman’s inspection and met her eyes. “Yes, well, I am well trained in appraising the male form.”

Joan smirked. She considered for a moment how to proceed, but made up her mind when she dropped into the booth next to Adaline. “What’s the story with y’all? You show up here in the off season. The town’s most eligible bachelor, or one of at least, calls here to take care of your breakfast, and you show up, openly ogling my customers. Why are you here?”

Adaline shot Rosienna a look of panic that Joan didn’t see. Frozen in place, Adaline let Rosienna answer for them, “Oh, we’re just looking for a change of pace. Adaline’s dad owns a house on the beach and we needed a place to relax for a few weeks, to escape our lives. Blake sent us here because he surprised us this morning and wanted to get work done.”

Joan fixed her eyes on Adaline and said, “So you’re daddy’s girl. We’ve heard mention of you, but of course we never see your daddy either. You look like you’re scared as a deer in hunting season. What are you running from honey?”

Adaline stammered something nonsensical before Rosienna rescued her, “Her ex boyfriend was a lying, cheating asshole. She’s running from him. And she’s going to keep running as long as I’m her friend. She deserves better than that piece of shit.”

Joan stared at Rosienna, absorbing her words, before she turned back to Adaline. “No man is worth being cheated on. I’m sorry that bastard made you feel like you weren’t good enough. Blake is a good one. He’ll watch out for you and take care of you ladies while you’re in town. And maybe you’ll meet our other most eligible bachelor, Officer Hayden Babcock-”

Rosienna choked on her drink when Joan mentioned Hayden’s name. “Oh, we’ve met him. And if he’s this town’s most eligible bachelor I think we need to go elsewhere.”

Joan raised her eyebrows at Rosienna. “It seems to me that you’re rather smitten with Hayden. Of course you wouldn’t be the first traveller to fall for his charm and good looks.”

“You’re joking, right?” Rosienna sneered at the older woman. Adaline took in the conversation with amusement. She loved watching her friend squirm. “He’s appalling. He nearly attacked us last night and all we were doing was having a drink on our porch. He’s one of those cops who thinks because he wears a badge he’s better than everyone else.”

“You saw a bad side of Hayden. I’ve known him since he was in diapers and he’s not like that at all. He protects that house, and this town, with a fierceness. He won’t let anything happen here. He’s one of the best cops we’ve had in years. He learned from his daddy and granddaddy. But Hayden’s definitely one of the good guys. Give him another chance and I’m sure you’ll be even more smitten with him.”

“I’m not smitten!” Rosienna nearly yelled. Adaline snickered and Joan stood back up, peering into Rosienna’s eyes.

“You can say that all you want, young lady, but I can see a soul. And your soul is searching for his. As for you,” she turned on Adaline, “your soul is looking for healing. You’ve come to the right place. You will find what you’re looking for in Shelly Isle. And I think our boy Blake will help you with that. So, now that we’ve got all that out of the way, what can I get y’all for breakfast?”

3

“Thanks for breakfast, Joan. Everything was amazing,” Rosienna said.

“My pleasure y’all. Are you okay with my directions to the Publix? It’s a little high-end for us local folks, but it’s where all the tourists shop. Y’all seem like you need a little high-end,” Joan replied.

Adaline laughed. She found it hard to think of herself, or Rosienna, as high-end. But she also knew a big grocery store would be easier to blend into then going to the local markets. And not many were open that time of year.

“We’ll be fine, Joan. But we’ll probably see you tomorrow for breakfast. Neither of us can cook this well.”

Joan thanked the women as they walked out the door. Adaline climbed in the driver’s seat again and listened to the directions Rosienna read to her. After a few moments they found the Publix and went inside.

Rosienna loaded up on more peaches and lime juice for daiquiris. Adaline added lettuce and a variety of fruits and vegetables. They threw in peanut butter, grape jelly, and bread then went for milk, cereal, eggs, yogurt, and butter. Rosienna grabbed a few boxes of pasta and two blocks of parmesan cheese. They headed for the check-out line.

Groceries in hand, the friends returned to the car and plugged the beach house address into Rosienna’s phone. Adaline’s sense of directions had her making turns without listening for the GPS, but Rosienna quickly got turned around. “And this is why you drive,” she told Adaline.

Adaline pulled into the driveway of the beach house and found Blake sitting on the edge of his truck with his shirt off sucking down a bottle of water. Rosienna fanned herself as Adaline drove past, parking the car under the house again.

Rosienna jumped from the car and exclaimed, “I need to pee, really bad. Blake, will you help Adaline bring in the groceries? Please?”

Adaline shot Rosienna an evil look, but Rosienna ignored her and ran up the stairs, waving at Blake as she climbed the steps. Blake jumped down from his truck and walked over to Adaline. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”

Adaline turned back to him and was eye level with his lightly tanned chest and dusting of hair. Adaline was always attracted to a man with chest hair. It made her feel like he was more of a man. She thought back to Drew’s bare chest and scowled. One more reason she never should have trusted him.

Blake saw the scowl cross Adaline’s face and stumbled as he approached the car. He could tell she wasn’t ready for a relationship, but he didn’t realize she found him repulsive. Blake quickly turned back to his truck and grabbed his white t-shirt from the truck bed, then pulled it over his head.

He crossed the driveway to Adaline’s side again and thought he saw a hint of frustration. He pushed it from his mind and grabbed three of the four bags in the trunk of her car. Adaline grabbed the last bag and slammed the trunk shut before leading the way up the stairs.

Blake told himself not to stare at her legs while they climbed the stairs, but he couldn’t stop himself. Adaline’s pale legs were bare and called to him like a lighthouse beacon. Her skin seemed to shine, even in the relative darkness under the house. He let his eyes travel upward again and watched her ass sway side to side as she climbed the stairs. Her muscles tensed with each step and Blake felt Blake Jr. stir in his jeans.

Adaline and Blake set the groceries down on the counter. Rosienna was still absent, and Blake swallowed a smirk before Adaline could notice. He started pulling items out of the bags and set everything on the counter. Adaline looked around the kitchen and realized Blake must have cleaned up from their drinks last night.

Unsure how to speak to a man anymore, Adaline cleared her throat four times before Blake asked, “Are you okay? Can I get you some water?”

“No,” Adaline answered, “I’m okay. Um, thanks for cleaning up the kitchen. We would have done that when we got back.”

“My pleasure, ma’am,” Blake responded. “Besides, I needed a break from the sun for a few minutes and it gave me something to do without feeling like I was wasting time. I also cleaned up the glass outside. Some had dropped under the porch to the cement below, but it was a good ways from where your car was parked. If you want me to check your tires, I’ll be glad to make sure there’s no glass.”

Adaline’s jaw dropped open slightly. There was a guy, trying to help her out, and he didn’t even know her. And yet her ex was the person she shared everything with and he didn’t even care enough to be faithful to her.

Then again, she didn’t know Blake. Maybe he was just as bad as Drew. ‘Maybe,’ Adaline thought, ‘he has a wife or girlfriend at home and he’s here flirting with me.’

What an ass!

‘No,’ she thought, ‘I’m being crazy. He’s not flirting with me. Dad pays him to take care of the house. He’s just doing his job.’

“I think my car is fine. If there was glass in the tires, I would have already gotten an alert that my tire pressure is low.”

“Okay, well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me,” Blake told her. “Speaking of which, I’ll get back to work, if you’re all set here?”

Adaline nodded and Blake stepped around her then walked out the door. Adaline watched as the door closed behind him and felt a moment of sadness at watching him walk out on her.

Rosienna walked into the room while Adaline was watching the door. She stepped up next to her friend and said, “You know he’s right outside. He got a glowing recommendation from Joan and he’s not leaving you. He’s just going back to work.”