Chapter 6
The next morning came early. Boone had been warned about her schedule, and he was ready to do what he could to make things easier for her. But Nina had her routine and it was immediately obvious that the best way to help was to stay out of her way.
She’d turned down his offer to make breakfast, choosing a cup of coffee and then ignoring it. For a woman who typically needed to be going strong before the sun was up, she was struggling. Not that he’d mention it. She was pale, and that was evidently an oddity as the supplier asked how she was feeling. She waved off his concern with a gracious laugh, but Boone watched her closely. She handled her tasks, preparing flowers and checking any website orders, but her face was set in hard lines and he was pretty sure only willful determination kept her going. She was not loving her job today.
By the time Molly came in at ten, Nina was sounding better, her color was returning, though she lacked any real pep or vitality.
Boone did his rounds throughout the morning, being discreet while observing the ebb and flow of locals and tourists through town. Unless the authorities set up a roadblock at the ferry, the bridge, and patrolled the marina, it would be relatively easy for Spratt to get to Nina. Thankfully, Jess had additional personnel watching those points to prevent trouble .
When Nina sent Molly home before noon, he assumed she was closing the shop for the day.
“Want me to pull in the bucket and turn the sign?”
“No,” she replied absently while studying the wall calendar. She kept the event schedule in red and her regular contracts in green. Blue was for everything else.
“I’ll stay out front,” he said. He walked to the back door and set the alarm code. Without Molly, he’d have to cover both entrances. Thankfully, the security system would help.
As he headed back through the workroom to the customer area, he noticed that Sundays were blocked out on her calendar. He really needed to get a firm schedule from her so he could plan more efficiently.
“You won’t be open tomorrow?”
She glanced his way and he noticed her color was better. “No. Best to keep Sundays open. I only come in if there’s an event to prep for. And next week is event-free.”
He could see her mind was on other things. While she worked up arrangements, he parked himself behind the counter in case someone walked in. About an hour later, he was growing bored. No walk-ins and barely a handful of folks on the street paused to take a flower from the bucket.
“Do you want to go for a drive? After closing, of course.” The days were longer and he wouldn’t mind a break from the pressure that seemed to hover in the air.
And maybe, during a drive on a sunny evening, she’d be willing to tell him why she’d run out on him that night. He really shouldn’t obsess like this. It couldn’t be healthy. But he didn’t feel as if he had a choice. Telling himself to forget her hadn’t worked when he’d been searching. Now that she was right here in sight and within reach constantly, he couldn’t stop thinking about the what-ifs for the future.
As soon as the case was closed, he could ask her out and—if she was receptive—he could open up about his unfaltering attraction for her. For the relationship he wanted to explore with her.
He’d never had this urge before. Couldn’t frame it within any previous context. He suspected his sister would have a blast teasing him if—when—she found out. Because if he had to keep his feelings locked down, he would need someone to vent to while he waited.
Now wasn’t the time to ask Nina to deal with anything new. For the time being, he would show her she could rely on him. Everything else had to wait.
“I need to drop off new arrangements at the Hargrave place. They have guests checking in tomorrow afternoon.”
Hargrave wasn’t familiar to him, so he would look it up. “And the drive?”
“I guess we can do that. After the drop off.”
If they were dropping off flowers, he supposed that meant taking her car as it was better suited for deliveries. He would alert Jess, though he didn’t anticipate much of a problem. It wasn’t as if they had any evidence that Spratt was close enough to follow or interfere.
She surprised him by closing the shop an hour ahead of the posted time on the door. “On a day like today, no one will notice.”
He’d take her word for it. They loaded up the flowers and they both moved to the driver’s door. He shook his head. “I’m driving. You can navigate.”
She looked poised to argue. “You’re ready to play the security card, aren’t you?”
“If I need to, yes. ”
With a wry laugh, she subsided, tossing him the keys. “Let’s hope I only ever need to see your evasive maneuvers on a practice course.”
He would not use that opening to ask why she’d been so set on evading him. This situation was about her, not his bruised feelings.
Following her directions, he drove over to the bed and breakfast marked with a wooden sign out front that announced the Hargrave Hideaway. The beach house, set back from the road, made a great first impression. Modern lines with crisp white siding and ocean blue trim at the windows and doors gave off loads of charm and serious beach vibes.
“Nash does the landscaping. They have a private cove with stunning views out back.”
“They?”
“Three sisters. This was their family vacation home. When their mom died of cancer—after spending her final hospice weeks here—their dad sort of ran off. He gave the house to the girls and told them to do whatever they wanted with it.”
“That’s tough.”
“It is, yes,” Nina agreed.
In Boone’s mind, a healthy family stuck together. Maybe it was an outdated view, but he didn’t see it changing for him. Then again, grief was a bitch. He’d been off-kilter and moody since Nina had walked out on him after just one night. He couldn’t sit here and judge another man for grieving his loss in whatever way helped.
“Do the sisters get along?”
“Better than most siblings, I’d say.” Nina smiled and he followed her gaze. “There’s Celeste. She’s the oldest and heads up their new hospitality business.”
Boone went to get the arrangements out of the back, letting the women chat a minute. Nina made introductions and he fell in behind them carrying the box of flowers up the drive. A side garden, framed by low hedges created a relaxed courtyard between the drive and a side porch. Colorful tropical flowers bloomed in a bright and fragrant greeting.
Boone nearly dropped the box of flowers when he stepped into the kitchen and saw a shaded patio, the pool, and a sliver of the cove beyond. All of it set against a backdrop of the clear horizon. “Wow.” He gawked as Nina helped him steer the box to the countertop.
“Do you want a tour?” Celeste offered.
She was pretty, her golden-brown hair caught in a loose ponytail. Gracious, her smile sincere, there was a sadness that lingered in her gaze.
“You don’t have guests?” He didn’t want to be rude. He also didn’t want to leave Nina alone in such an isolated spot.
“Only one couple and they’re out fishing. We have other rooms I can show you. And the common areas of course.”
He glanced at Nina. “You up for a tour?”
“I’ve had—” She stopped, likely realizing why he wanted her to tag along. “Oh, sure.” She pushed a vase of flowers into his hands. “You can help carry.”
Each of them loaded with flowers, they walked through the house. Celeste’s private quarters were a suite just off the kitchen, making it convenient for her as well as her guests. On the other side of the central foyer was a welcome desk, the dining room, and an area with three different conversation areas and floor to ceiling windows that showed the cove to perfection.
“You must not have any trouble staying booked,” Boone observed.
She grinned. “So far, so good.” She showed off three of the four suites they kept for guests. “My sisters and I weren’t sure about this change at first. But our mom loved it out here and we have so many fond memories of our summers in this house. It’s too much for us to keep up by ourselves. The B&B gives us a way to stay close to what makes the place special.”
“And create special memories for your guests,” he said.
“Exactly.” Celeste beamed at him as if he deserved an award for understanding. “The whole venture has given me some ups and downs.” She took a big breath. “But overall, I think we’re all happy we took the leap.”
“Can Boone and I walk down to the cove before we go?” Nina asked.
“Absolutely,” Celeste said. “Take your time.” She gave Nina a hug, thanked Boone for keeping her friend safe, and then returned to the kitchen.
They were down at the water’s edge when Boone turned to Nina. “When did you tell her I was your bodyguard?”
“I didn’t.” Nina shrugged a shoulder. “Island grapevine at work.”
Huh. “She genuinely cares for you.”
Nina’s brow flexed down over her straight nose. “I should hope so, we’re friends.”
“You make it sound like gossip is always a bad thing.”
“For me it feels that way.” The breeze off the water teased her hair, some strands blowing across her face. She gathered it up and twisted it back in some speedy move. “But it isn’t always. I suppose there must be instances when the grapevine is used for good.”
He chuckled and glanced back at the house. “It’s a gorgeous building from any angle.”
She followed his gaze. “Her dad’s an architect. Or was.”
Turning back toward the water he marveled. The place had to be worth a fortune. “Well, I hope they succeed. ”
“Me too.” Nina smiled, tilting her face up to the sky. “The forward momentum and positive energy of running the Hideaway has helped Celeste. For the longest time there was a pall over the whole place.”
“Not easy being a caregiver,” he murmured. “We did our share of that when my grandfather’s health declined. He came to live with us for a few years when I was a kid.”
“Are your parents alive?”
“No,” he replied. Talking about his mom and dad didn’t hurt so much anymore. He’d accepted that he’d always miss them, but he valued the solid foundation they’d given him and his older sister. “They died about ten years ago. They were caught up in a big accident on the interstate. It was a massive shock for my sister and me, but the older I get, the happier I am that they were together when it happened.”
She rested her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He looked down, getting lost for a moment in her big brown eyes and the sweet gentleness of her touch. Her hands were strong from her work, and yet still so delicate. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat. “We should probably head out if we want to enjoy any part of the drive in the daylight.”
The timing was perfect, the light going soft and painting the trees in sunset gold as he drove up to Georgetown. As they left Brookwell, Nina relaxed mile by mile. He couldn’t help wondering why.
“If you don’t like the island, why do you stay?” he asked.
“I love the island,” she replied instantly. “It’s home, but that’s not the whole of it. Having a business and a voice in the community makes me feel good. I like making a difference with my neighbors and friends as well as the tourists that visit.”
That was more than he’d expected and he was glad she was in the mood to share. But suddenly, he didn’t want to talk about waking up alone. He wanted to hear what she wanted to share. With a little prompting, he got her to tell him some stories about her brother and growing up within a family-run business that was so visible on the island.
She shared funny moments as well as crappy ones, including being bullied in fourth grade for having dirty fingernails. He wanted to find that kid and haul him up by his ear until he apologized to Nina. Not just impossible, but also a gross overreaction to what she was telling him. He locked down the urges before he wrecked the evening.
In Georgetown, they walked along the Harborwalk, chatting about nothing in particular. It was fabulous. When they found a restaurant with live music, they immediately went in. The menu wasn’t nearly as important to them as the sound.
He couldn’t recall connecting with anyone else the way he did with her. Never so easily. They enjoyed the music and the food—barbecue—but it was her company that mattered most to him. He kept bracing for her to call him out for trying to be romantic, but her eyes sparkled and she was so animated he had to assume she was enjoying herself. While part of him wished there was room to dance, it was probably better if they didn’t.
He didn’t want her getting the wrong idea—that he might be trying to recreate their one-night stand. All he wanted from tonight was to give her a break.
And if he got lucky and she opened up, that would be a fantastic bonus.
She talked enthusiastically about her business plans for Island Bloomers, but she didn’t volunteer any details about why she’d walked out on the night he couldn’t forget.
As she yawned, he urged her to take a nap. “No. I’m fine. I can sleep in tomorrow. If you want, crank up the radio. Whatever you need. It can be a pain to stay awake on these two-lane state roads at night. ”
She wasn’t wrong. The tall trees cast heavy shadows and the minimal traffic, along with the sounds of the tires on the pavement was a sleep-inducing melody.
“You don’t need to worry about me falling asleep at the wheel,” he assured her. Staying alert was part of the job, ingrained in him after years of training and practice.
“Why did you go into personal security?” she asked.
“Guardian Agency showed me an employment path that I couldn’t resist. I travel for cases and get the opportunity to decompress after a job is finished.” The pay and excellent benefits package were a huge boon as well. “It’s like the best of both worlds,” he added. “Plenty of work challenges and plenty of time to see my sister and her family.”
“I bet you’re a favorite uncle.”
“Technically, I’m the only uncle. Becky, my sister, is married to an only child.”
Nina snorted. “He could have a hundred brothers and you’d be the favorite.”
Why argue with her good opinion?
“Is that what you were doing the night we met?” she asked. “Were you decompressing?”
“Yes.”
She went quiet and he searched for what he’d said wrong. “I was decompressing in the club, enjoying the show without being on alert for trouble. Hooking up isn’t a standard piece of my decompression routine.”
The sound she made was impossible to interpret.
“Nina.”
His phone rang and Nina reached for the device. “It’s Jess.”
“Put it on speaker, please.” He needed to keep his focus on the road. “Reynolds here,” he answered. “You’ re on speaker.”
“Nina is with you?” Jess asked.
“I’m here,” Nina replied. “Do you have news?”
“Not what you’re probably hoping for,” Jess began. “Only that Spratt was spotted in Charleston, not far from the ferry stop near the aquarium. He managed to evade capture.”
Nina swore and Boone managed to smother a laugh. The vocabulary did not fit the woman.
“What’s their plan?” he queried. “They have to know where he’s staying.”
“Not so far,” Jess grumbled.
“Are they giving you the runaround?” It wouldn’t surprise him. Police departments and private investigators didn’t always get along. But Jess had been a cop—although in Florida, not South Carolina—and he expected her to have better insight when communicating with authorities.
“They don’t want to share details and that’s understandable,” she replied. “While they appreciate us taking the lead with Nina’s safety, they don’t want me nosing around.”
“Everything’s a balancing act,” Boone said. “Where does that leave us?”
“I have agency resources combing the area for any sign of him or his last known associates,” Jess said. “We will continue to monitor every access to the island as well.”
In the passenger seat, Nina folded her arms, her lips pressed together hard. Boone would love to know what she was thinking. Then again, it wasn’t hard to guess. She surely wanted Spratt in custody so she could get back to her life.
The life that didn’t involve him shadowing her twenty-four-seven.
When the call ended, silence reigned in the car. He was quiet due to all the questions piling up in his head. She’d answer his questions about their brief personal history eventually. Or maybe never. Pushing her would only make her uncomfortable with his role as her protector.
“Nina—”
“Damn it!” Nina kept slinging curses—in Italian—he guessed. “How hard is it to catch one man?” She ranted on for another full minute, and though he didn’t know the words, he got the gist of it.
Boone gawked and then busted out laughing. He couldn’t help it. Neither the words nor the fierce outburst matched the woman and business professional as he knew her. She hadn’t even slipped into talking dirty in bed.
“What is so funny?”
Her eyes sparked with temper. She was more than annoyed. He’d offended her. He tried to smother the amusement. Because he liked cussing-Nina as much as every other facet of her personality she’d shown him. He was learning who she was—the real woman—hour by hour, and found her more and more intriguing.
Captivating, really.
Beyond the sexy music lover he’d met a few weeks ago, she was also a smart, savvy businesswoman, with a keen sense of humor who pumped heavy rock music through her earbuds when the afternoon slump set in.
“Nothing,” he gasped. “Nothing is funny.”
She hummed. Not a friendly sound. “I am a grown-ass woman,” she said, watching him carefully. “I can use all the words.”
He swallowed another laugh. “I know.” He started to reach across and touch her and stopped himself. Better to keep his hands to himself and keep the car on the road. “You use them all quite well. And in two languages.”
Her chin lifted and she folded her arms. “Thank you. ”
Contrite, he apologized. “I’m sorry for laughing. Please forgive me.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Are you going to laugh every time I cuss?”
“Of course not.” He crossed his heart. “I promise.” He hoped it was a promise he could keep. Because the mere echo of those words tumbling over her soft, sweet lips made him want to laugh again.