Chapter 7
Liberty took the drink Trinity, Emmett’s wife, handed her and leaned back in the recliner. The sun had dipped behind the horizon, and the moon and stars had begun to speckle the night sky. “You have a beautiful home. And this view? Holy crow. Watching the boats go up and down the Intracoastal has to be one of your favorite pastimes. Especially at night.”
“Thank you.” Trinity set her glass of wine on the table and plopped into her chair. She pointed to the baby monitor. “It’s one of Leslie’s favorite things to do, next to being out there with her daddy.”
“I’m sorry she was so upset when the boys pulled away on the boat.”
“She’s six months old. She won’t remember tomorrow. Besides, if I don’t get her to bed between eight and nine, she’ll be up till midnight and that’s never fun for the adults. This way, she sleeps till five and she loves to have breakfast with her dad. Those two have such a sweet relationship that sometimes I feel guilty. All I have to do is deal with her while he’s at work and that means sitting with her by the window while she waits for his car to pull in.”
“That’s too cute.”
“It really is.” Trinity smiled. “She lights up like a little baby Christmas tree every time Emmett walks in the room. There are times I get jealous because she doesn’t have that visceral reaction to me, but when it’s time to go to sleep, all she wants is her mama, so there’s that.”
“Babies certainly can be fickle.” Liberty did her best to keep the memories at bay. It had only been a few precious moments that she had with her darling daughter. A few weak cries while the nurses did their best to comfort Liberty. Perhaps it was time to change the subject before she burst out in tears. “How long do you think the boys will be gone fishing?” Liberty had almost said no to hanging with Trinity when Miles first proposed it. But Gabriel had been too excited about the fishing excursion and there was no way she was going to burst his bubble.
Trinity glanced at her watch. “I’m sure they will be back within the hour. Emmett has to be at the station early.”
“It’s got to be hard to be married to a cop.” Liberty sipped her wine. It was a nice dry red, which went with the cooler summer night. She crossed her legs at the ankles. It had been three days she’d seen or heard from Charlie. Not a single text or call.
However, she had changed her phone number, as well as Gabriel’s, making it clear he wasn’t to give them out.
That hadn’t gone over too well at first. He didn’t mind the new cell. That was shiny and pretty. But being told what to do regarding Charlie, well, Gabriel didn’t like that. He had stormed off into his room and slammed the door. She had no idea if he contacted Charlie or not, but the good news was she hadn’t heard from the man.
And even though he rented a place not far from Miles’ mother and had an office outside of town, she hadn’t crossed paths with him, and Gabriel hadn’t either.
But as long as Charlie continued to live and work in Lighthouse Cove, it was only a matter of time.
Restraining order or not, Charlie didn’t like to lose. He’d fought her on the divorce. He hadn’t wanted to sign the papers. He’d done everything to try to stop it, including offering to go to counseling, but that was a little too late. He should have done that the first time she caught him cheating.
Or when she lost the baby.
Instead, he blamed her and told her to go and get her shit together. Their marital problems were her fault, not his, and it was her job to fix them.
Asshole.
“I bet you worry about him every time he leaves the house in uniform,” Liberty said, pushing the thoughts of Charlie and her past out of her mind.
“I worry, but his job here is generally quiet.” Trinity lifted the wineglass and took a dainty sip. She was a class act and while some of her mannerisms reminded her of the ladies at the country club, she was no snob, that was for damn sure. “In all the time I’ve known him, outside of what happened with my biological father and the night Rumor got shot, which was the same night Leslie was born, not much happens here. His job is mostly acting like a tough guy.” Trinity leaned forward. “But it’s his mother who’s the badass. She still scares the crap of me, let me tell you. And she’s seventy.”
“Holy shit. I didn’t realize she was that old. She certainly doesn’t look it. I saw her in action when she dealt with my ex-husband. Somehow, I think the universe was kind when she had all boys and not a daughter in sight.”
“That’s a true statement.” Trinity laughed. “Nathan really wants her to retire. He wants her job in the worst way and he deserves it. I actually think she’s going to do it this year. She’s working less and less and she loves hanging out with all her grandkids. She’s so much softer with them than she was with the boys. At least that’s what they all tell me.”
“That’s a grandparent’s prerogative.” Not that Liberty knew anything about that. When Sadie had been born, Charlie’s parents didn’t bother to come visit for two days. Their pathetic excuse had been they thought she needed time alone.
Bullshit.
Charlene and Oswald were too busy with whatever parties they were attending to give her a second thought.
“If she’s going to actually give up the badge, it will be next month.” Trinity lifted her glass. “Let’s hope she does it. All the boys love their mother and have enjoyed working for her, but it’s time for Nathan to take over. He’ll do it for ten years, then maybe Emmett will for two or three. After that.” Trinity shrugged. “Well, this town might see a chief of police who doesn’t have the last name Kirby for the first time in like forever.”
“What about Emmerson? Doesn’t he want to be chief?”
Trinity laughed. “God, no. He loves being a cop, hates managing people, and there’s a good chance he retires when his baby is born. He’s been talking about getting his PI license and working with Rhett while helping Jameson expand his handyman business.”
“All the Kirby boys have so much in common, yet they are all so different.” Not that she really knew any of them, but they were all staples at the diner. Everyone in town knew who they were and for the most part, they all had good things to say about each and every one.
Except Miles.
But that was just a handful of women who had either heard she was living next door or who had seen her chatting with him and made it their life’s work to warn her off because he’d done them wrong somehow. But even they didn’t say he was a bad person, just not dating material, unless all you wanted was a good time because that’s all Miles was capable of.
“All you really need to know about them is they are good people and they will show up when you need them, and sometimes when you don’t.” Trinity laughed. “So, tell me. What’s going on with you and Miles?”
“Absolutely nothing.” She took a big gulp of her wine. Only that man had gotten under her skin and tickled all her girly parts. The ones she thought her ex-husband had successfully killed. Miles ignited a fire in her belly and it had roared to life and no matter how many times she tried to put it out, a spark caught and it exploded.
He crept into her daily thoughts and visited her dreams.
She’d never sworn off men. But she had tabled the idea of them until she got on her own two feet. She needed to know she could take care of herself, and her brother, before she allowed anyone back in her life. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a life partner, she did. But she had a lot of shit to deal with before that happened.
“You’re kidding, right?” Trinity swung her legs over the side of her chair. “Isn’t this a double date?”
“With a fifth wheel named Gabriel?” Liberty did her best to make a joke, but it fell flat. “No. It’s not. I just couldn’t say no to Gabriel and honestly, when Miles said you’d be here and I’d have girl time, I jumped at it.”
“That’s a nice compliment and I’m certainly having fun getting to know you better.” She set her glass down and adjusted her hair. “But I have to ask. Are you not interested in Miles because of his reputation as a ladies’ man or are you just not into him?”
Now that was a loaded question. One she wasn’t quite sure how to answer. Maybe being honest might help her sort it out. “Can I be honest? Without it being repeated?”
Trinity raised her hands. “This is the circle trust. I’m not telling anyone, including my husband.”
“Do you have any idea how many women have warned me off at the café? It’s laughable. Has he really left that many broken hearts behind?”
“No.” Trinity sighed. “But some of those girls have taken him on as a challenge. Especially in the last couple of years. It’s like they have all gotten together and made a little pact about who can tie that man down. I’m not even sure any of them liked him that much going in. It was all about who could get him to fall in love. Wrong way to go about things if you ask me, and Miles, he’s got some dumb ideas about love and what it means. Watching all his brothers fall hard, it’s softened him to the concept, but he thinks it will change him and he has some other issues.”
“But you have to agree as a woman madly in love with her husband that it does change you.”
“I suppose it does, but not for the worse. Only, that’s what he grew up with and he’s guarded himself.” Trinity leaned a little closer. “I don’t know if you know anything about his childhood. But that poor man was picked on relentlessly as a kid.”
“I heard a little about that and his learning disabilities.”
“It was horrible for him and he still struggles. He also has generalized social anxiety,” Trinity said. “Last year, there was a massive party in honor of his mom. He really didn’t want to go, but we all talked him into it. He was a mess. Even with all the coping skills he’s learned over the years, he ducked out early. Crowds are not his thing.”
“Mine either, but for different reasons,” she said softly. “I understand why he’s so good with Gabriel.”
“Miles understands misfits because he thinks he’s one and while he’ll never say this out loud, he doesn’t believe he’s good enough for any woman. It’s why he has these stupid short-lived flings, except for Trixi, though I wasn’t around for that.”
“He told me about her, but only after I got an earful from her and asked him about it.”
Trinity blinked. “He’s almost never honest about that one. He doesn’t like to admit how much he actually cared about her. He once got real with his brothers and told them he was afraid a girl would stick around long enough and find out he was just a dumb man incapable of taking care of her properly, which is something Trixi’s father drilled into his head. The next morning he chalked it up to being drunk.”
Liberty opened her mouth, but only a gasp escaped. She cleared her throat. “That’s kind of sad.”
“It is.” Trinity rested her hand on Liberty’s knee. “I see the way both of you look at each other. It’s not lost on any of us. But Miles is the kind of man who gives up when a girl shows little to no interest and we all know he’s asked you out and you’ve said no at least four times. He hasn’t called it quits.”
“He’s helping me with my ex-husband and my little brother does work for him, so there’s that.” Liberty stared into her drink. Her cheeks flushed.
“Holy shit. Something has happened between the two of you.” Trinity held up her hand. “I think I need to repeat my question about what’s preventing you from continuing to date my brother-in-law.”
“That’s not necessary,” Liberty said, realizing she wasn’t getting out of this conversation, and it did feel good to talk to another female she could trust. “His reputation is troubling. Not only for me, but because of Gabriel. I’m also not sure I’m ready to even think about dating.”
“But you slept with him.”
Liberty tried not to smile, but it was impossible.
“And you liked it.” Trinity gave Liberty’s leg a little shove.
“He is incredibly sexy. Charming. Kind. And everything a woman could want in a man. Which makes me believe he’s just too damn good to be true and all those women are right. On the other hand, a fling wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, if only I knew I could protect Gabriel and it wouldn’t affect his relationship with Miles.”
“I can understand your concern there, but trust me when I say, Miles isn’t that guy,” Trinity said with conviction. “All those women, they don’t know the real Miles because he doesn’t let them in. He barely ever brought any of them around the family. When we have family gatherings, he comes alone.” Trinity waggled her brows. “He would have never brought someone over here when he wanted to go fishing with Emmett. Or invite a girl to his brother’s wedding. He doesn’t mix his love life with his family. He wouldn’t want any of those ladies to think what they had with him stood a chance. And he wouldn’t want to give us the wrong impression.”
“And what impression is he giving you now?” Liberty asked with her heart hammering in the center of her chest.
“Um, that man has it bad and he wants something different out of life.”
The sound of boat engines and men laughing filled the air. Liberty sat up taller as Emmett pulled the fishing boat toward the lift.
“One last thing before we’re bombarded by testosterone,” Trinity said. “I know you’ve got a lot going on in your life right now. And on the outside, Miles doesn’t look like the kind of guy you’d want to get involved with, but trust that he’s one of the best men you could ever have on your side. He’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you or Gabriel. He’s honest. He’ll never lie to you. He might get cold feet and start pushing you away, but if he does that, you’ll know it’s because he’s scared of how he feels and his insecurities are getting the better of him. All you need to do is call him on them.”
“I don’t know. I want to go for it because it would be different and something that I don’t have to consider the future. I can live in the moment for a change,” Liberty whispered. “But?—”
“No buts. Do you like him?”
“That’s not even the point.”
“Look. Miles has closed himself off for two reasons. One of them I understand. Watching what his parents went through was rough. But all he needs is one good woman to show him he’s good enough. All he needs to learn is that love isn’t all bad.”
“Oh, and you think I’m that woman?” Liberty glared. “I just told you I’m not looking for love.”
Trinity shrugged. “I certainly wasn’t looking for love when I walked into this town, but it came up and bit me in the ass. Go out with Miles. See what’s there. What’s the worst that can happen? Besides good sex, because by that smile and the twinkle in your eye, I’d say that man rocked your world.”
Liberty laughed. “That’s one way of putting it.” Lighthouse Cove was her fresh start in life. It was her chance at a new beginning. A new chapter. There was no reason she had to live under a rock and Miles wasn’t a bad man. He was kind. Considerate. Generous.
A date wouldn’t kill her.
Actually, it might do her some good.
Besides, even if it went nowhere, the one thing she did see was that all these women who warned her off Miles were still friendly with the man. That had to mean something. That at the very worst, he wouldn’t break Gabriel’s heart.
Miles once again found himself sitting on Liberty’s front porch with a short glass of bourbon. He should get up and leave. He wasn’t even sure if Liberty was going to come back out and say goodbye. She’d made it clear they were done for the evening when she told him it was late and Gabriel needed to go to bed.
But she had given him a drink, so there was that and by damn, he was going to finish it.
Just one of the many mixed messages she’d been giving him all night. Damn, if he didn’t suck at relationships. He could do flings. He could do a good time. But the last time he tried to have a real connection with a woman, he broke her heart.
He could live with himself if he did that to Liberty, only he couldn’t let it go. It was as if she was the air that filled his lungs. The food that fueled his body. He’d never needed anyone, except his family.
And now he found himself needing her in ways he couldn’t fathom.
He stared out into the dark night. A few neighbors strolled by and waved. He’d always enjoyed living in the heart of town, near the hustle and bustle of what little action Lighthouse Cove offered. He could walk to a few local watering holes for a drink or dinner, since cooking for one kind of sucked.
But lately, he had the itch to move to the water and closer to one of his brothers. It wasn’t that he was all that far. It was only a three-mile walk to Emmerson’s place and Jameson was only a few streets from that. But the pull to be near that liquid gold had called to his heart.
He never had a reason to want a big house with a pool on the Intracoastal. He had brothers who provided all those fun extras. And a mother who had a mansion. What more could he possibly want?
The sound of the front door screeched across the floorboards.
Liberty.
That’s what he wanted and it had messed with his head, not to mention his heart. He couldn’t make sense of his feelings and he was plumb tuckered out from trying.
He liked women. Always had and there was nothing wrong with that. He just didn’t like having them in his space all the time. Or dealing with what came with real relationships. The commitment. The responsibility.
The hurt.
But mostly that he wasn’t good enough.
Fuck. He needed to stop that train of thought.
“I’m just about finished.” He raised his drink to his lips and sipped, savoring the last few drops.
“You don’t have to rush off.” She waved the bottle and eased into the chair next to him. “I’m sorry if I was a little harsh when we got home. But Gabriel was exhausted. He was on the verge of a meltdown and I didn’t want him to think he was going to miss out on something. He can have the worst FOMO, especially when it comes to you and your family these days.”
Miles chuckled. “He had so much fun reeling in those fish. He was like a kid in the candy store. I don’t know what I enjoyed more. Watching him or spending time with you, my brother, and Trinity.”
“He couldn’t stop smiling.” She set the bottle between them on the floor and sighed. “Thank you for taking him, but I have no idea how to cook those filets. I’m a killer cook when it comes to breakfast, but dinner, I’m limited to casseroles.”
“Why don’t I grill them up nice for us tomorrow night.” What he should do was stop trying. Not only was Liberty one of the few women who was immune to his charm, even if they had shared one hell of an evening in his kitchen, but she was definitely way too good for him and even if he could get her to agree to date him, it wouldn’t last.
This time it wouldn’t be because he couldn’t bring himself to be a one-woman man, but because she’d figure out he wasn’t ever going to be anything other than a grease monkey.
A successful one, but he had his own set of issues and he knew his limitations. He’d accepted them and for the last forty-one years, he’d learned to embrace them.
Why go fucking with what worked.
And there was that damn tape again. No matter how hard he tried to stop it from blending into his thoughts, he couldn’t.
“I wouldn’t want to put you out. You do so much for us as it is.” She swirled her glass before taking a gulp. “I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
He loved that she drank the same brand of bourbon he did.
“It’s no trouble. There was a lot of meat on those fish. What doesn’t get eaten can be used for fish tacos the next night.”
“That’s smart.” Liberty nodded. “I had a lot of fun with Trinity. I really like her.”
“She’s a good person and she’ll be a good friend.”
“I hate to bring this up, but did Gabriel look at his phone at all while you were out on the boat?”
“Not once.” Miles was happy to report that fact. “Have you heard from or seen your ex-husband?”
“I haven’t and I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“Emmett said no one has seen him since he showed up at my shop three days ago. Maybe my mother scared him off.”
“That would be nice, but Charlie doesn’t frighten that easily. Knowing him, he’s regrouping.”
Miles leaned over, lifted the bottle, and poured one finger. Just one more small glass and then he’d call it a night. She knew how he felt and what he wanted. The ball was in her court. “You know what to do if he shows up.”
“I do, but I don’t like it.” She adjusted her baseball cap, pulling it down, making it so he couldn’t see her beautiful blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
There wasn’t a single thing he didn’t like about Liberty. She was easy to talk to or just sit and be with. Even though she had a lot on her mind, she could be laid-back. Her life had been riddled with pain, but she didn’t wallow in self-pity. She picked herself up by her bootstraps and kept on pushing forward. And she certainly didn’t hold any punches.
“I worry about how Gabriel will respond,” she said. “While he’s handling the separation from Charlie well right now, who knows what will happen when that man shows his ugly face.”
“Gabriel’s never alone. He’s always either with you or me. He’ll have all the support he needs.”
“I don’t know how to thank you. This goes way beyond being neighborly. Or being his boss.”
Miles sighed. It sure did and he didn’t know how to explain it to her, much less himself. He was torn between asking her out again and getting up, walking home, and going to bed alone. Not once in his adult life had he ever found himself in this situation. All the women he dated were never meant to be serious, except Trixi. The ones who had other plans, he dropped like a hot potato, but even they didn’t want him for the long haul.
They wanted the challenge.
And he was glad to play for a short time.
Even though once or twice that had been a whopper of a mistake, like with Trixi. That one he had regretted. She was a nice girl and deserved better than his sorry ass.
But so did Liberty, which left him between a rock and a hard place.
“Wow. You’re deep in thought.” She nudged his arm. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this quiet or melancholy. What’s gotten into you?”
How the fuck did he answer that one? He tipped his head back and downed the last drop of his bourbon. It soured his belly. He set the tumbler down and stood. “I should go. It’s late.”
She jumped to her feet and curled her precious fingers around his biceps. “Have I done something to upset you?”
“No. Not at all.” He lifted the cap off her head, turning it and placing it backward so he could see her pretty eyes better.
Mistake.
Those blue pools fucking captivated him and drew him in like a spotlight in the harbor guiding the ships home at night.
“Then why are you running off and acting like someone sucker punched you in the gut?”
“You want me to answer that honestly?”
“Yes.” She nodded.
He blew out a puff of air. He was fully clothed, and yet he felt totally naked. “I can be your neighbor. Your friend. Your confidant. I have no problem doing that. But I need a moment to switch into that gear, and sitting out here with you any longer, I’ll want to do something stupid like take you to bed again. I can handle rejection. Happens all the time. But for whatever reason, when you do it, it does feel like I got kicked in the stomach and I’d rather walk away before I make an ass out of myself or you have to toss me off this porch.”
She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not going to ask you to leave.” She leaned into him, tilting her head.
Gripping her hips, he held his breath while his heart beat wildly in the center of his throat. He swallowed.
“I know who you are, Miles. And you certainly know enough about the baggage I bring to the table.” She pressed her lips against his mouth in an exotic dance. “This is me agreeing to go out on a date with you, and more.”
He arched a brow. “Seriously?”
“Do I have to repeat myself?”
“God, no.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, hard. It was the kind of kiss that let a woman know she was desired. Wanted. That she was the only woman he was thinking of and that there would be more to come. He palmed her cheek. “This is going to sound strange, but what about Gabriel?”
“He can take care of himself for a few hours.”
“I’m not leaving him alone while your asshole of an ex is unaccounted for. I don’t trust Charlie as far as I can throw him. Maybe Gabriel can hang with one of my brothers for an evening.”
“I’m sure he’d like that.”
“All right then, but not tomorrow night. We’re going to cook that fish. Gabriel deserves to eat what he caught.”
She smiled. “You’re a good man, Miles.”
“Don’t tell anyone.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He jogged down the stairs, pausing at the bottom to glance over his shoulder and wave.
And just like that, he had a date.
With Liberty.
“Hey, wait,” Liberty called.
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “What?”
“You must have missed the part where I mentioned more.” She smiled.
“No. I heard that.” He chuckled. “But let’s save it for our date. I want to do it right this time. Not have you stealing my shirt and scurrying across the yard afterward.”
“Have it your way.” She blew him a kiss.
Fuck. He was in way over his head and he knew it.
This called for a little advice from one of his brothers. But which one?
He’d decide that tomorrow. For now, he’d go climb into bed and dream about the sweet girl who lived next door.