Chapter Five
ALTA
I paced the length of Market Street in a mad rage.
Okay, that was an exaggeration.
I paced the length of Market Street insort ofa rage. But instead of stomping my feet and throwing a fit, I wrung my hands and pushed agitated fingers through my hair. I’d been so mean today, and not only to my sister who I had complicated feelings about, but to Ox and Grace and even Jack Tucker too. Jack Tucker was a kumquat, but I should’ve been more in control of my emotions. I shouldn’t have been so close to tears.
Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve is what they say. I should do a lot of things that I don’t. And now look at me, the loser again.
Market Street was a row of quaintshopping boutiques along the outskirts of the most popular beach in town. The air around here smelled like sea and tasted like salt and was crisper close to the water. It was early October, and we were still experiencing periodic warmer days, but today there was no sun. No sun and lots of sea meant I was borderline freezing as I paced the street because I’d stupidly forgotten my jacket back at the office.
With a shiver that racked my entire spine, I stopped in front of the wide bark of a tall sidewalk tree rooted in a mound of mulch. A deep breath pushed past my lungs as I looked at it.
And looked.
And looked. No action, because I never took action when I was upset. Which was the whole problem entirely. If I could just be honest about when I was unhappy about something, half of my problems would disappear.
Looking at the bark of the tree, a sinister thought passed through my head.
I could just kick it.
Yes, I knew I was compensating for what I really should have done earlier, which was stand up for myself in the office, but I had already dropped the ball there so all that was left now was me and this tree.
I hesitated. I know it was just a tree, but I still felt guilty, which delayed my actions. The other day with the plant-strangling had been a crime of passion, this would be one of deliberate intent.Malintent. And I wasn’t a malicious person.
But I could be. I could be bad if I wanted to. Maybe that’s what I needed. To show myself I could be tough before I showed it to others.
“Kick it, Alta,” I hissed to myself.
But the tree didn’t do anything wrong. Why would I?
“Kick the tree, Alta Carmina Fernandez.Kick it,” I reprimanded again.
But what if I truly hurt it?I still felt bad about the poor plant. It would be wrong of me to do this twice.
“For the love of God, Alta. It’s a tree!” I growled, frustrated. Pulling my leg back I geared up to do the deed. To kick the tree. But a second later, I froze.
“Ma’am,” a deep voice said from close behind me. “Step away from the tree.”
For the love of God.How was he here again?
I didn’t move. I didn’t even set my foot down on the ground. I just bared my teeth behind my lips, effectively intimidating no one. Not even myself.
Taking a deep breath, I asked, “Can I help you?”
“I’m almost certain this is about how I can help the poor plants on this block,” he said easily. “Now, listen killer. I don’t know what's been going on with you lately, but you can’t keep taking it out on the botanical ambiance.”
“I’m angry,” I said honestly. Why I was always so honest with him when I couldn’t even say my feelings to my sister, I had no idea.
A scoff hit my ears, Harper’s tone incredulous. “I can tell.”
My confession continued. “No, I’mveryangry and I need to take it out on something.”
“Fine,” he said, and for a second, I thought he was giving me permission to kick the tree. And curiously, for that second I actually thought that I could do it. But a moment later, the view of the rugged bark disappeared behind the appearance of broad shoulders, tattooed skin, and those brown, brown eyes. Taking up a casual stance, he leaned back against the tree he was trying to protect, and shrugged, “Take it out on me, then.”
“What?” I squeaked. I must have heard something wrong. Blinking at him, I asked. “You want me to assault you?”
