Rescued By A Perfect Stranger: A Single Dad, Age Gap Romance (Bearberry Bay - Rescue Series Book 4)

Chapter 33

~~ Lorelai ~~

The pub is loud tonight.

There’s a small band set up in the corner, and conversations cross and complete with each other. The bar is about three people deep all the way across.

Morgan pulls me to the bar, then she’s letting go of my hand, pushing in between people, climbing onto a barstool, and leaning over the bar to land a smacking kiss on the lips of the beautiful bartender who’d served me my first night in town.

“My man!” She calls back to me. “Lai, meet Riain.”

I just smile and give a wave, figuring there was no way anyone would hear me over the cacophony.

Riain’s yell to the kitchen carries loud and clear. “Hey, Ma! Little Fey is back!” He looks at me. “Good to see you again,” he says, giving me that panty-dropping smile that makes so much more sense now that I know who he is. Morgan’s fiancé is a semi-retired model who’s more in demand since he announced he was settling down to take over his parent’s pub than he ever was.

“Little Fey?” I hear James’s growl in my ear a second before I feel his warmth at my back. I wonder if he”s jealous that he isn”t the only one to give me a nickname. I know it shouldn”t, but it gives me a thrill inside to think he might be.

Mrs. Kelley comes around the corner just then, granting hugs to Morgan, and then folding me into her arms. She holds onto me long enough I get choked up, tears filling my eyes.

She pulls back and pats my cheek. “There now. You”re family here,” she smiles, and I give a wobbly one back. I’m overwhelmed by the rush of love and acceptance surrounding me like a blanket fresh out of the dryer.

James gets a quick squeeze, too. “You two get out of this crush and go sit in that corner snug with Cami.” She spins me in the right direction, and I see Madison wave an arm. I step that way and feel James’s hand at my back, warm and steady, guiding me through the crowd.

I’m introduced to Cami’s husband, Kaiden, whose green eyes seem to see right through me and name me the imposter I am. His relaxed pose with one arm on the back of the booth and one hand holding Cami’s does nothing to eliminate the scream in my head that he is a powerful predator.

Madison’s boyfriend, Lucius, I’d met before. He is immediately likeable with his flashing grin and dark sense of humor. He shakes his curls out of his face and greets me with a quick hug. He has a good-hearted smirk and a hand clasp for James. ”Pretty Lai. Boss man”.

‘Til now, I’d only seen Angela at a distance, picking up her daughter Kaylee, but she gives me a wary smile and shifts farther toward the center of the booth, making way for James and me to slide in. The gentleman sitting next to her in the sweater vest runs the bookstore that’s merging with Cami’s bakery. Tom, I think. Or Tim. He nods and sends me a gentle smile.

Soon, Morgan joins us with her lipstick only a tiny bit smudged and a gleam in her eyes that bodes well for her fiancé later. Serena hurries in a moment later with her thick glasses perched a little crooked on her nose, and her dark bob a little disheveled. James retrieves an unused chair from a nearby table and places it at the side of the table for her. Then a dark-haired man with deep blue eyes comes in and pulls up a chair beside Serena, who blushes when she looks sideways at him. He’s introduced as Cami’s brother, Jacob, and I can see the similarities.

The group resumes their prior discussion of whether building a park in the downtown square is viable. The arguments for and against are given confidently, as if the speakers are accustomed to being heard and respected. I don’t have any input, but I enjoy the vibe while I deliberate over which entree I want to try.

Kaiden stops midsentence to lean over the table and pick up my hand. “Are these fingerprints, Lai?” His voice is gritty. He turns my hand so he can inspect the redness that is turning into bruises surrounding my wrist. He pierces James with a sharp look.

Acting on instinct, I snatch my hand back, moving it to my lap. I’d forgotten to keep it under the table. For a second, I panic, bracing for a punishment. James reaches into my lap and tucks his hand over mine, his thumb rubbing little circles against mine.

All conversation has stopped around the table, and I realize no one is looking at me. They are all looking to James. They don’t really think he would... “No.” I whisper. “It wasn’t James. I had an argument with... With someone, and they grabbed me.” I take a harsh breath. “James... James helped me.”

I see relieved looks around the table. Angela’s expression holds that certain blend of empathy and anger that belongs to someone who knows that brand of abuse. I notice she’s letting out a breath she’d been holding. Her eyes find mine and I know I’m right. My eyes search hers to learn whether she’s safe now, and her smile is brighter this time. We share an immense connection in that look, and I know we’re going to be friends.

Kaiden is still staring at James. He seems to be waiting for something, some reaction or answer to an unasked question. James gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head. I wouldn’t have seen it if I wasn’t hyperaware of every move he makes. Kaiden must have seen it, too. “Come to me if you need help, Lai,” he directs. Out of the corner of my eye, I see James scowl at him.

Kaiden gives a slight shrug and continues the conversation with a comment on the type of traffic a children’s park would bring to the primarily business district.

Riain arrives to slide a tray of water glasses onto the table. He squeezes past Serena and plants a kiss on Morgan’s upturned mouth. She pinches his very fine ass as he takes orders. I can’t decide if the open affection makes me uncomfortable or relieved that there are no mysteries on who is with who. These couples demonstrate their love out loud and in public, and I’ve never experienced that.

I try and follow the conversation until our food arrives, then my focus is on the delicate mouth-sized rolls that melt on my tongue. There are pretzel bites served alongside warm cheese dip filled with bits of crispy corned beef. I order a dish called a Coddle, which has chunks of sausage and potatoes and thick bits of bacon resting in a shallow bowl of gravy-like broth.

This town loves their food! I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having so many delicious options at my fingertips.

The full-of-charm Kailu appears to top off drinks with his dramatic flair, and I ask for a take-away box, knowing I won’t be able to finish. He clears plates and brings my box, making eyes at me and lingering ‘til James growls, “Get back to work, Kailu.” The teenager takes it in stride and exits with a tip of an imaginary hat.

Morgan seems particularly amused at the encounter and talks about the different candidates Riain had interviewed for his position. Apparently Kailu worked some kind of magic when he met Riain’s parents, and they insisted on having him in the pub.

“He’s delightful,” I say, and Morgan giggles and agrees.

James gives a huff. “He’s twelve.”

Lucius laughs straight out, “But aren’t we ALL still twelve?”

Madison chimes in, “I think he’s adorable.” Luce loses his smile at that, which makes James laugh at him.

Mrs. Kelley approaches the table with a huge cake on a pedestal and Kailu follows with small plates and extra forks.

Morgan squeals. “Ma, is this the Guiness Chocolate? A whole cake!!” She claps her hands.

Mrs. Kelley reaches in to pat her on the shoulder. “Share with your friends now!” she says with a stern edge in her voice before walking away.

Madison looks over at me shaking her head. “It’s always been chocolate cake for her. That’s her kryptonite!”

“Cut it already,” Cami chimes in. “I still can’t con that recipe from Mrs. Kelley! I’ve tried duplicating it, and it just never turns out the same.”

Lucius takes on the cutting and serving and places a plate in front of me I’m certain I can’t eat. Once I take a bite, though, I would’ve fought anyone trying to take it. I swear I let a moan of pleasure slip out when I lick some extra frosting from my fork.

Morgan looks over at me with a grin. “Amazing, huh?”

I smile back at her and nod, already shoveling the next forkful into my mouth.

The conversation winds down, and everyone stands and heads out. James tucks me into his truck, again reaching for my buckle and securing it himself. Kaiden walks over before James can get to the driver’s door. I probably shouldn’t be listening, but I hear James say, “Trevor’s on it,” and Kaiden replies with, “Get it handled or I will. Cami loves her.”

James gets in, and the question jumps out of my lips, “James. No one paid. Why didn’t anyone pay? It happened last month, too, at the Italian place.”

He chuckles. “Kaiden has tabs all over. Riain will charge him what he thinks is fair, and we’ll settle up later. Don”t worry about it.”

“Cami brushed me off last time and wouldn’t let me pay.” I complain. “I can pay my own way!”

“Okay, Chipmunk. No one is contesting that. We just all cover each other in different ways.”

“Oh.” I shake my head. I don’t really understand, but I can’t really argue about it.

When we get back to The Bliss, James parks in front again. He turns the key and says, “wait,” when I go to get out.

He comes around and opens the door and helps me down. Stella meets us at the door, unlocking it and letting us in.

“Any problems, Ms. Stella?”

“No, sir, Commander.” She smiles. “It’s been quiet, and Mr. Amato called to check on us, too.”

“Good. We won’t be long but lock the door while we’re upstairs.”

I look sideways at him, but I follow when he walks to the stairs.

When I unlock my door, James says, “I want you to pack a bag and come stay with me a few days.”

“What? Why? I thought we were going to talk”

“Don’t look surprised. You were run off the road and accosted in your hotel lobby.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Lorelai.” He ushers me into the room. “If you stay here, you put Ms. Stella and Ms. Marigold in danger.”

I stop so suddenly James runs into me and grabs my waist to keep us upright. I hadn’t thought of Bray as violent. Our father had always held the top spot on that in my head. I knew Bray was unpredictable, but I can’t ignore that he did run me off the road. He did grab me and try to force me to go with him. And Stella had looked shaken earlier. I wonder what he’d said to her, and how her treasured pen had ended up on the floor.

I grab my newly purchased suitcase from the closet and start layering clothes into it.

James walks over to me and stops my hurried motions with his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him. I feel the scratchy pain in the back of my throat that always comes with the tears I”m holding back. He tips my chin up with a finger.

“You don’t have to rush. I’m going to go talk to Ms. Marigold and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, grabs my key from the table, and closes the door behind him.

I sink to the floor and allow the dam to break.

I sob for what must be a good ten minutes before I get worried James will come back in, see me curled into a fetal position, and call the men with the white coats. I pull myself together, splash some cold water on my face, and finish packing for a few days. I’m adding the small makeup bag holding the few cosmetics I’ve gathered when James comes back in.

The trip is short since Bayberry Bay isn’t that large, but he drives to a neighborhood I haven’t been to. He pulls up to a pair of tall iron gates that open slowly to allow access. I peer out the window as he drives by houses similar to the ones in my grandmother’s community. Houses with landscaped yards that spread out far enough you’d never hear your neighbors fighting, never know what’s on their dinner table by the smells coming from their kitchen windows.