Chapter 29
“And here I thought moonshine was the most dangerous thing on this island.” ~ Jeremy
Jeremy
My fingers fly over the keyboard as I work on the Synq app. I’m almost finished. Despite not pulling all-nighters since I’ve been spending most of my time with Parker, I’m nearly there.
Parker’s a miracle worker. Inspiration seems to flow through me when she’s near. Which is my excuse for working in the bakery while she bakes in the kitchen. Enjoying coffee breaks and lunch with her is a mere bonus. Sneaking kisses and caresses of her curvy body is the best bonus.
I don’t know how I’m going to leave this island and return to California. This from a man who refused to leave California to attend college. But California no longer holds any appeal to me.
Coming to Smuggler’s Hideaway for Thanksgiving was a Hail Mary but it was the best damn Hail Mary in the history of Hail Marys. This crazy, mermaid and smuggler-obsessed island has grown on me. Would it be so bad to live here permanently?
“He’s here! I found him.”
No. It can’t be. Wherever she goes, my parents follow. How the hell did they find me?
I sneak a peek at the door to the kitchen. It’s all the way across the bakery. I’ll never make it there without her noticing.
“Jeremy! I can see you!” she shouts as she bangs on the window.
I slam my computer shut before standing and prowling to the door. No one bangs on Parker’s window. I yank it open. “Do not bang on the window.”
“What do you expect? You were planning to sit there and pretend you didn’t hear me.”
I don’t deny it since she’s right. If I could pretend she didn’t exist now, I would.
“Mom! Dad!” She waves across the street. “I found him!”
I inhale a deep breath. I will remain calm. I will not allow my family to wind me up.
Mom and Dad hurry across the street. Mom flashes me a smile. It’s about as real as her hair color.
“Darling.” She leans over to kiss me but I step back before she can touch me. She frowns but doesn’t remark on my unwillingness for us to touch. The first clue she doesn’t give a rat’s ass about me.
“Are you going to let us in?” Dad doesn’t wait for an answer before shoving his way past me inside the bakery. My sister and Mom follow him.
My sister, Nora, scans the bakery and sticks her nose in the air. “This is quaint.”
“If it’s not good enough for you, go.”
“We’re not going anywhere until we’ve had a discussion with you,” Dad says.
I scratch my neck. “How did you find me anyway?”
“It was easy. I have an alert set for whenever your face pops up on social media.” Nora snorts. “And you’re supposed to be some kind of computer genius.”
“I’m not on social media.”
“No, but this Podunk town is. Congratulations on winning the ugliest tree contest.”
I swear under my breath. I didn’t think twice about having my picture taken with Parker when we won the tree trimming contest the other night. I figured the town would hang the picture up in the town hall, not put it on social media.
The door to the kitchen swings open and Parker marches out. She comes to stand next to me and fists her hands on her hips. “You need to leave.”
Dad bristles. “You can’t kick us out.”
“Wrong. I’m the proprietor of this establishment and I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.” She points to the door. “I’m invoking my right to refuse you service.”
Mom bristles. “But we haven’t done anything wrong.”
Nora rolls her eyes. “She wants us to make a purchase. I’ll have a skinny mocha latte with oat milk.”
“The coffee shop is on the boulevard.”
“Figures. This place is stuck in the previous century.” Nora couldn’t appear more bored if she tried.
“I asked you politely. Don’t make me get mean.”
I tug on Parker’s hand. “It’s okay, Princess. I’ll deal with them.”
“Nope. You are not dealing with these blood sucking assholes, a mermaid wouldn’t be bothered to save from drowning.”
“I’m confused,” Mom says. “Who’s drowning?”
“No one’s drowning and no one’s leaving,” Dad insists. “I know my rights. You can’t kick us out.”
“You’re wrong. I can kick you out.”
Dad’s nostrils flare. “I am not wrong. I’m calling my lawyer.”
“Go ahead.” She flicks her hand at him. “Spend more money you don’t have proving you’re wrong. You’d think you’d be tired of lawyers and judges explaining you’re wrong by now.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t interfere where you’re not wanted.” Spittle flies from his mouth as he sneers at her.
I step in front of Parker. “Be nice or I’ll extend the restraining order.”
Parker pushes me out of her way. “I’ve explained this before. You don’t have to protect me. It’s my job to protect you from these vultures.”
“Princess.”
“Nope.” She slams up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m not allowing these people who are not your family to hurt you. Not anymore. And not on my watch.”
Mine. The word reverberates through my mind. This woman is mine. I’m not letting her go. Not now. Not ever.
I love her. And this is what love is supposed to feel like. Someone who stands beside you, who fights for you, who shields you when the world turns ugly. Not someone who sees you as a walking bank account and drags you into court when you refuse to pay up.
“You should leave before I let the kraken loose,” Parker tells my family and I chuckle.
“What the hell is a kraken? Does she have a guard dog? I don’t want to ruin these shoes.” Nora clutches her chest.
Parker barks out a laugh. “Because ruining your shoes is your biggest concern.” She glances up at me. “Was she always clueless?”
“I’m not answering. I enjoy my eyeballs where they are.”
“Please, as if I’d let her near you. I learned to fight on Smuggler’s Hideaway. She can’t get anywhere near your eyes when she’s curled up on the floor crying.”
I throw an arm around her shoulders. “I’m liking Smuggler’s Hideaway more and more.”
“Us Podunk towns tend to grow on a person.”
“I’m sorry. From the depth of my heart, I can’t apologize enough for saying this is a Podunk town.” Especially not after my sister used the word as an insult.
“It’s okay. You can make it up to me later.” She waggles her eyebrows.
Dad clears his throat. “Did you forget we’re standing here?”
“I didn’t,” Parker says. “But you apparently don’t know how to listen, so now I’m ignoring you.”
The bakery windows rattle with the wail of an approaching siren. A moment later, a police car slams to a stop at the curb in front of the bakery. My brow furrows as two police officers climb out of the vehicle.
Dad glares at me. “Did you call the police on us?”
“I didn’t.”
“I did,” Cindy hollers from where she’s standing behind the counter. “I don’t put up with parents emotionally abusing their children in my presence.”
“We are going to have a serious talk one of these days,” Parker says.
“Just as soon as you explain why you’re not living in the loft above the bakery, we’ll have our sit-down.”
Parker scowls at her before returning her attention to our group.
The bell above the door chimes as the two police officers stroll inside.
“Hi, Lucas! Hi, Weston!” Parker waves in greeting. “If you’re here to find out what special Christmas pie I’m baking this year, I’m not telling.”
Lucas groans. “I still haven’t lost the five pounds I gained from eating your Thanksgiving pies.”
“I have. You just need to find the right exercise.” Weston winks.
Lucas frowns. “I have a teenager who has impeccable timing.”
“How is Natalia?” Parker asks.
He grunts. “Typical teenager who knows more than I do.”
My gaze dips to Parker’s stomach. I can imagine it round with our child. A child she would love unconditionally because Parker doesn’t know how to love any other way.
A child she would never give up on. Because Parker is loyal to her bones. She’s even suffering to pay back her parents, who don’t deserve her love or loyalty.
“And getting into all kinds of trouble because her mom is Chloe, the wild child?” Parker asks.
Lucas’s grin is full of love. “She’s a troublemaker.”
“Excuse me,” Dad says in a loud, entitled voice.
I grit my teeth as embarrassment fills me at his behavior. Why he thinks he’s better than everyone else in the world is beyond me. The only activity he excels at is spending money he doesn’t have.
Weston rests his hands on his utility belt. “Can we help you?”
“This woman.” He waves a hand toward Parker and I growl. She pats my stomach to calm me down. “Is trying to kick us out of the bakery.”
“Is this true, Parker?” Weston asks.
Parker narrows her eyes at my family. “They are not welcome in my bakery or on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”
Lucas herds my family toward the door. “Let’s go. Weston and I will escort you off the island.”
“Well, I never…” Mom declares.
Once my family’s in the backseat, the patrol car rolls out, red and blue lights strobing, siren slicing through the air.
As soon as they’re gone, Parker turns to me. “Before you say anything, I have no regrets. Yes, they’re your parents but they were assholes and I won’t allow anyone to treat you the way they did.”
“I wasn’t going to complain.”
“You weren’t?”
“Nope.” I grasp her hand and drag her toward the kitchen. “I’m going to thank you instead.”
“You are?” The question comes out all breathy.
I can’t wait to take her breath away. It’s too early to tell her I love her but I can show her. Which is exactly what I plan to do.