Chapter 13
Thirteen
Kara had completely lost control of this situation. All he had to do was smile at her, and she became a puddle of female hormones. So much for promising herself she’d never again let a man wield that kind of power over her.
Except…
With him, all the power was hers. If she said no, that was it. If she said don’t do that or say that, he wouldn’t. He listened to her. He saw her. He got her, and all she wanted was more of the way she felt when she was with him.
That was a dangerous way to think for someone who’d been through what she had.
Dan was nothing like Matt. The only thing they had in common was their profession. When it came right down to it, Matt wasn’t even handsome compared to Dan.
She expelled a grunt of laughter. Now she was just being mean. Oh well. Truth hurts.
Her phone rang, and she took the call from Bertha on the truck’s Bluetooth. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. How’s your man doing?”
Kara could hear the low hum of The Big B’s diesel engine in the background. “He’s not my man.”
“Is that right?”
“I’m just sitting here thinking about how I’ve completely lost control of this entire situation, and then you go and call him my man. Ugh.”
Bertha’s snort of laughter made Kara smile. “Do you hear how full of shit you are?”
“You’re supposed to be my nice, sweet, nurturing grandmother.”
“That’s your father’s mother. I’m the one who tells you the truth. Spent a little time on the computer last night. That man is not only sexy as hell, but he’s extremely accomplished, too.”
“Is he? I hadn’t noticed those things.”
“Now you’re just lying. I read all about his cases. I love the work he’s done to get innocent people out of jail.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
“Sure is.”
“He is sexy as hell, full of himself, won’t take no for an answer and is determined to make me fall in love with him, among other things.”
“Is it working? Is that why you’re all weird sounding?”
“I’m not weird sounding.”
“Tell that to someone who didn’t change your diapers.”
“If you don’t knock it off, I won’t change yours when the time comes.”
That laugh. Oh, how Kara loved it.
“Sure you will, because there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other, even that.
You like this guy, and you’re trying to talk yourself out of it because of what putz and your sister, the other putz, put you through.
Don’t do that. This guy’s legit. And wait until Kelly gets a load of him. She’ll die.”
Kara laughed. “I have to admit I’m kinda looking forward to that.”
“If you care about me at all, you’ll record it for me.”
“You’re the best. Have I told you that enough?”
“Yes, you have, and right back atcha. You deserve this man and his love, Kara. Please tell me you know that.”
“I do, but I appreciate the reminder.”
“I didn’t raise you to be stupid, so don’t start now. You hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am. How are things there?”
“Nowhere near as exciting as they are there. I want daily updates. Make them juicy. It’s been a while for me.”
“Bertha. For God’s sake.”
“What? Just ’cause there’s snow on the roof doesn’t mean the fire’s out.”
“I’m ending this call.”
“Keep me posted. This is the most exciting thing to happen in years.”
“I’ll text you later. Don’t you have lobsters to catch?”
“Already got a full load for today, and we’re heading back in now. I’ll be waiting for that text.”
“Love you so much, even when you’re an outrageous nut.”
“Love you so much all the time, even when you’re being stupid.”
Kara ended the call laughing, which was Bertha’s special gift. She had put Kara back together after the breathtaking deception and had encouraged her to take the job on Gansett Island to get away from the family drama. The only downside was being away from her best friend in the whole world.
Every year that went by made Kara more anxious about the day that would eventually come when Bertha would no longer be at the other end of a call or a text, at the helm of The Big B or snuggled into her seaside cottage.
Kara couldn’t imagine life without her, her salty commentary and astute advice on all things.
Bertha always told her that she’d never lose her.
She would always be with Kara, who knew her so well that she could imagine whatever advice Bertha would give her in any situation.
That was true. Her voice was always in Kara’s heart and mind, and always would be, but she wanted Bertha around for as long as humanly possible.
She’d told Bertha that one hundred and fifteen years old would work for her. Shockingly, Bertha didn’t agree.
Bertha was right about Kara letting go of the fear of what might go wrong with Dan and focusing instead on all the things about him that were so very right.
At the pharmacy, she walked to the back, where Grace held court.
“Hey, Kara. How’s Dan?”
“A little better. He was released this morning. Dr. Lawrence called in some prescriptions for him.”
“I’ve got them right here.”
“How’s Evan?”
“Much better, but we’re both still coping with the emotional fallout.” Grace’s big brown eyes filled with tears. “When I think about what a close call he had…”
“I know. It’s hard to imagine what else could’ve happened. I can’t stop thinking about poor Steve.”
“I know. It’s awful.” Grace took a deep breath and tried to pull herself together. “I didn’t realize you and Dan were a couple.”
“I didn’t either.”
Grace laughed. “So it’s like that, is it?”
“He’s very persuasive.”
“That’s a lawyer for you, but we all think he’s a rock star for what he did for Charlie and Steph.”
“He’s that, too.” Kara handed over the credit card Dan had insisted she take to pay for the medication. “Thank you.”
“Tell Dan we hope he feels much better soon.”
“Please give Evan, Mac and Grant our best, too.”
“I will.”
“It’s so sad about Steve.”
“It really is. I guess he was the only child of a single mom.”
“Oh God. That’s awful.”
“I know.”
With other customers waiting for Grace, Kara took her bag and headed to the truck, thinking of Steve and his poor mom. What a terrible thing.
She made a quick stop at home to pack some clothes and other things she needed, went to the grocery store and then returned to Dan’s, wanting to get there before the pain meds he’d been given that morning wore off.
When she got to his house, she rushed in with the meds to find him stretched out on the sofa, eyes closed and lips white with pain.
Shit.
“I’m here with the meds.”
“Thanks.”
Kara got a glass of water and doled out the pills. “Should you sit up?”
“Don’t think I can right now.”
“Don’t choke.”
“I’ll try not to.”
She held her breath as he took the pills and washed them down with water.
“Now we wait.”
“Is it bad?’
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I tried to be quick.”
“Not your fault.”
“What can I do?”
He held out his uninjured hand to her.
Kara linked their fingers.
“That helps.”
“How does that help?”
“It just does.”
She would hold on for as long as he needed her to.
Several days later, Kara arrived at Dan’s after work to find him showered, dressed and pale from the pain. “What’re you doing?”
“I have to go to Tiffany’s hearing tonight. Her ex-husband is trying to get the council to shut down her store. I can’t let that happen.”
“You shouldn’t be out of bed!”
“I’m fine.”
“Now you’re going to lie to my face?”
“She needs me, Kara. The ex is a son of a bitch. She worked multiple jobs to put him through law school, and this is how he thanks her? He moved out of their house and took all the furniture.”
“Don’t they have a daughter?” Kara asked, outraged on Tiffany’s behalf.
“Yep, Ashleigh.”
“And he left them without furniture?”
“He did.”
“What time is the meeting?”
“At seven.”
“I’ll drive you.”
They arrived at town hall to find a crowd had gathered for the hearing.
“I thought you might need your lawyer,” Dan said to Tiffany, who seemed overwhelmed by the massive show of support from family and friends.
“You shouldn’t even be out of bed!” Tiffany cried.
“Thank you,” Kara said. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Ladies.” Dan dismissed their concerns with a sweep of his left hand. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
Kara helped him into one of the chairs and noted his wince when his body connected with the wood. He wouldn’t be able to take that hard chair for too long.
“Don’t fret. I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
“If this goes bad, she’ll need me.”
The first part of the meeting moved slowly, and Kara could tell Dan was hurting, but he stayed seated and waited for the matter he’d come for.
Though she was worried about him, she admired him for being there for his friend when she needed him.
He knew his very presence would intimidate Jim Sturgil and had been determined to be there for that reason alone.
Bertha always said that people showed you who they really were with their actions, not their words.
“Royal, you added the matter of the Naughty & Nice shop to the agenda,” Mayor Upton said to one of the council members.
Royal cleared his throat and directed his attention to Tiffany. “Mrs. Sturgil.”
“Objection.” Jim Sturgil jumped to his feet. “She’s no longer Mrs. Sturgil.”
“Sit down, Mr. Sturgil,” the mayor said disdainfully. “This isn’t a courtroom, and you’re out of line.”
“Douchebag,” Mac muttered, nearly making Tiffany giggle.
Apparently, Maddie wasn’t as strong and tittered with laughter.
“Ms. Sturgil, please move to the microphone,” Royal said.
With every eye in the crowded room on her, Tiffany got up and walked to the microphone located in the center aisle.
“You’re the owner and proprietor of the boutique Naughty & Nice on Ocean Road?” Royal asked.
“I am.”
“And what do you sell in this boutique?”
With her hands tightly clasped at her waist, Tiffany cleared her throat and spoke in a firm, even tone that made Kara proud of her. “Gifts, candles, lotions, underwear, lingerie and other novelty items.”
“Would you please describe these novelty items?”
A male voice rang out from the back of the room. “Dildos and vibrators!”
Nervous laughter rippled through the crowd.
“Please contain your outbursts, or I’ll clear the room,” Mayor Upton said sternly.
“Ms. Sturgil?” Royal said.
“I sell a number of products designed to enhance sexual pleasure.”
“And why was it that you felt Gansett Island needed a store such as yours?”
“Because I believe we had more than enough T-shirt and souvenir shops, and my research showed that stores such as mine are very successful in other tourist towns. I can provide the council with sales data from similar stores in Newport, Nantucket and Mystic, if you’re interested.”
“I’d be very interested,” Royal said.
The other council members nodded in agreement.
Tiffany pulled a stack of papers from a leather bag and distributed them to each council member.
Returning to the microphone, she said, “I realize this is something very different in our town, but judging by our early data, I expect the store will do quite well in its current location. Our business has more than doubled during Race Week, and we hope that’ll continue throughout the season. ”
“About your advertising strategies—”
Tiffany held up a hand to stop him. “I’ve reconsidered my strategies and will be going in a different direction in the future.”
A buzz of chatter cut through the audience.
“And that direction won’t include public indecency?” Royal asked.
“Your definition of indecency and mine differ, but it won’t include women in skimpy outfits outside the store.”
“Very good. Now I’ll open the floor to anyone who wishes to speak on this matter.”
By the time Tiffany returned to her seat, a long line had formed behind the microphone.
Over the next half hour, people spoke for and against the store, but when it came time for a vote, Tiffany prevailed thanks to Blaine Taylor’s passionate speech in her defense and all his public safety friends, who showed up to vote for Tiffany when the mayor asked for a show of hands from citizens for and against the store.
In the end, Tiffany hadn’t needed her lawyer, but afterward, she told Dan again how thankful she was to him for being there. “Your presence put Jim on notice that there’s a much better lawyer on Gansett these days, and that’s the best thing ever.”
“I’m here for you any time you need me.”
“Thank you, Dan, and thank you, Kara, for helping him get here.”
Kara gave Tiffany a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you, friend. I’m happy for me, too.”
“That was quite something,” Kara said as she drove Dan home.
“I love to see the small-town dynamics at play and how so many people showed up to support Tiffany against her bully ex-husband. I hate bullies.”
“Me, too.”
Back at Dan’s, she helped him down from the truck and noted the longing gaze he gave the Porsche that Grant had brought home from the marina. It’d be a while before he could drive his low-slung beauty.
“Thanks for driving me tonight.”
She kept an arm around him as they walked slowly into the house. “I enjoyed seeing Tiffany get her big victory—and what Blaine did for her. That was amazing.”
“I like it here.”
“I do, too.”
“It’s the kind of place you could put down some roots.”
“I agree.”
He leaned into her. “Maybe we can put down some roots together?”
It was becoming harder and harder to remember why she ought to resist him. “Maybe.”