Maddy cleared her throat. Was she smirking?More likely than not, she'd read his predictably male brain. "Beer?It's been a long day."
He quickly remembered where he was, feelingstupid for forgetting they were in the middle of her parent's foyerat a very crowded party. Clearing his throat, he managed torespond, "I heard a few requests for refills, so I just grabbed abunch."
He set the bottles on the sofa table andgrabbed the opener he'd stashed in his cargo pocket. He popped offthe top and handed her the cold brew. Her fingers brushed his asshe took the bottle. They both stilled. He couldn't ignore theglimmer of hope that she felt the same fire at that light touch.Was she avoiding eye contact?
She took a long, deep swig.
"Long day?" he raised his eyebrows, hopingshe'd stay and talk longer.
"Yep. I nearly arrested a gang of kids onbreak from college: drunk by noon and set on jaywalking throughrush hour traffic. They sobered up pretty quickly when I asked fortheir parent's contact information. I later saved a youngne'er-do-well from a future life of crime. Survived a treacherousrun-in with a hyena. And, nearly lost my arm handwriting reportswhen the computers went down this afternoon."
He pictured her intimidating the collegekids. She had a hell of a death glare when she was angry. Poor kidsdidn’t stand a chance. Wait… "Hyena?"
He knew she'd intended it as a joke, butwinced at his stupidity for prying as she glanced awayuncomfortably. Her brows scrunched together, voice pressured,"Dylan Maybrook has moved back to town and plans to rip off thetourists, buy out my father, destroy the local economy, and make mylife hell."
He was relieved to see she thought as poorlyof Dylan as he did but hated to see her so upset. He'd heard theirbreak-up was rough, but he wondered how much more there was to thestory. Her parents hadn't told him much. He’d been on a longrotation at the time. Incommunicado. Aiden refused to speak so muchas the guy's name. He should have guessed there was much more tothe story than a bad break-up.
"That does sound like a rough day." As muchas he wanted to spend more time alone with her, he felt a pang ofguilt as he wondered if he may have prevented that heartache if hehad held her close rather than driving her away her all those yearsago. Not that she would have fared better, maybe behind bars ratherthan making the arrests herself.
During his last year in Seaview, he thoughthe had been performing an act of honor, to save her from thefallout from his mission of self-destruction. Maybe not. "Come on,your mom has been asking after you about every 30 seconds. She'sgetting a bit misty-eyed and could use a dose of yourresilience."
5
Her anger with Dylan, or at herself for being soupset at his return, quickly faded as she admired Chase's very fineass as he led the way to the back patio. She tried to not actuallydo a little dance as she followed him through the French doors, butshe did a little dance in her brain and couldn't hold back thestupid grin. Resilience? She liked the sound of that, as she didn’talways feel it.
She hadn't meant to mention her encounterwith Dylan, let alone allow her emotions to take over, but she hadlittle self-control when Chase was around. She didn't see herselfas resilient when it came to Dylan, he was more of her ownpersonal, emotional black hole.
As they stepped out onto the large flagstonepatio, Chase distributed the remaining beers, and then beelined forthe BBQ to join Aiden. Maddy was pleased to see her brother smilingand interacting with others. She felt a sense of peace as shelooked across the patio. Maybe it was the beer and the smell ofcheeseburgers emanating in a smoky cloud from the BBQ. It sure putMaddy in a good mood. And made her stomach rumble, realizing shehadn't eaten lunch today.
Her parents had built a beautiful patio. Muchmore elegant than the gravel patch when she'd been younger. A fewyears back, they had hired a contractor that had laid the gorgeousflagstone. The install had included a built-in firepit, withconcrete benches and old whiskey barrel flowerpots scattered aroundthe periphery of the patio. They had added plush patio furniturearound the central firepit. The whole scene looked like somethingout of a magazine.
"Maddy!! You're finally here!" Her mom sprylyhopped up from her spot on the bench next to Maddy's dad. Lauradeftly stepped over the legs of her lounging guests as she made herway across the patio to her daughter. Maddy would guess she'd hadabout two glasses of wine. Not drunk, just a bit… sentimental. Andstill looked neat as a pin in her navy ankle length pants and pinkfloral sleeveless blouse. Her mother was certainly not a lush, soit was funny to see her get tipsy in a rare moment of totalrelaxation.
She was so proud of her mother'saccomplishments; if the lightweight decided to drink five glassestonight, Maddy would hold her hair back later tonight as she pukedit all up. Fortunately for them both, that was not likely to be anissue. Despite the fun evening, she couldn't picture the judgegiving up that much control, even to welcome in her retirement.
Neatly dodging a guest with their plateoverloaded with spinach salad, Laura finally reached her daughterand pulled her into a warm embrace. Maddy squeezed her right back."Mom, congratulations. Did you get all your cases wrapped up? Areyou officially a retiree?"
They linked elbows and made their way acrossthe crowded patio together. Laura whispered to her daughter, "Thankgoodness you're here. You know I hate being the center ofattention. Aiden has taken over the BBQ, and Chase volunteered tobe a runner for drinks and supplies. I think they both are avoidingsocializing. Your dad is on a roll; you know how he enjoys a gooddebate. He keeps trying to rope me in. I need an ally, and that'syou, my dear." Her dad slid down the bench to make room for Maddyto squish in between her parents. Despite the cramped – albeitnicely cushioned – bench, Maddy was pleased to find shelter betweenher parents.
The crowd returned to their lively debateabout the latest plans to increase tourism. The large patio wasdesigned to entertain. The turnout was great. There were well over50 guests scattered around the patio on various benches, withothers seated on folding chairs scattered throughout. Some playedgames on the expansive green lawn, like croquet and horseshoes.Beyond the lawn, the hill gradually sloped down, and the forestfiltered the view of the distant ocean.
Her gaze finally landed on Chase and Aidensurrounded by the smoke of the BBQ. She wasn't sure if it was Chaseor the scent of juicy cheeseburgers making her mouth water. Hethrew his head back in laughter at something Aiden said. The smilestuck for a few moments. He shook his head while still smilingabout whatever odd topic they were discussing and took a sip of hisbeer.
She couldn't help but remember the one timeshe'd felt those lips on hers. They'd both grown up since then.What would the feel like now? Would he taste the same?
Politely disengaging from Mayor Watson'sgregarious jokes, Laura turned to her daughter, "I have a few daysto put my feet up and enjoy retirement, then your dad has surprisedme with a trip to Italy. For a month. You know how I’ve alwayswanted to go. You must help me pack. We'll need to go shopping. Orshould I wait until I get there to buy some newretiree-and-now-international-traveler outfits? Maybe I shouldbring you back some Italian leather boots. I can’t wait to do somefun shopping."
Her mother's exuberance was contagious, and awelcome distraction from her less-than-pure thoughts. Maddy visitedwith her mother about the upcoming trip. Yes, she should definitelybring her some Italian boots, and maybe a coordinating bag.
For the first time in her life, Maddy felt anodd pang of envy when considering her parents relationship. They’dbeen married and settled with their first child by Maddy’s age. Inher lifetime, Maddy had survived only two short-lived andnot-so-satisfying relationships. She wasn't even sure it was worthpursuing, as her few failed attempts had been so awful.
Her eyes strayed to Chase, thinking about thefantasies she had allowed herself over the years. Now that Chasehad returned, she felt unsettled, as if she were waiting forsomething. The sensation was entirely new.
He certainly had changed. He was dressed forthe occasion, in what she suspected were brand new chinos with apressed black button down and stylish black and white boat shoes.The pants were a bit more cargo than chino, his shirtsleeves rolledup, exposing muscled forearms with a hint of a tattoo peeking out,and I’m-not-shaving-for-anyone-but-me facial hair.
Like so many foolish women before her, shewas a sucker for a bad boy. Well, one like Chase who acted like abad boy but was a good guy deep down. A nice duality. Or maybe itwas the ripped body. Or maybe that edgy look that said he wasn'tlooking for a fight but was prepared for it anyway.
Her father's shout over her head to his oldfriend, Steve, brought her back to the moment. She glanced at hermother and realized she was being watched. She failed at herattempt to not blush, but her cheeks burned red despite her bestefforts. Dang her pale skin.
