Chapter Six
HOW LONG UNTIL HE COULD take off the sling and do for himself all those insignificant normal things you never noticed until you couldn’t do them? Laredo grimaced.
Diana seemed to read his thoughts as she drove to Marina’s restaurant the next day. “It will be soon enough. But for now, please let your shoulder heal. You want it fully functioning again, right?”
As he wasn’t supposed to drive, one of his brothers had helped her return the rental car for now, and Laredo asked her to use his truck. “Right.” He nodded from the passenger seat. But he hated to look like a weakling in front of a woman he liked more and more with every day—no, with every hour.
On the bright side, his predicament gave him a reason to spend time with Diana. A pleasant feeling unfurled in him. Her fingertips as she’d cleaned his wound and changed his bandage regularly seemed to have the healing touch—all the while sending his heartbeat into overdrive. He’d been shocked when she’d announced his pulse was normal. It had taken all his willpower and then some not to cup her lovely face when she’d been so close to him. She’d been doing her job while he’d been letting his attraction get the best of him.
Despite the draw, he hadn’t made advances on her. Diana had made it clear she wanted things to remain professional between them, and besides, she was a grieving widow. The pleasant feeling diminished, and he took his focus away from her beautiful profile framed by sandy-blonde hair and looked out the window at the spectacular ocean behind the embankment.
The sky was clear, and the sun was generous, basking the water in sunshine while Laredo basked in Diana’s presence in the close confinement of the vehicle.
“It was nice of Marina to agree to talk to us and give us the information she gathered.” Diana sounded optimistic.
The upcoming conversation better not disappoint her. He’d never want to see her disappointed. “All my brothers married amazing women.” Except him and the few remaining brothers who were still single.
Since that heartbreak in his youth, he’d remained a bachelor. “Move to the right lane, please. You’ll need to turn at the next traffic light.” He glanced at her, and not only because they were moving away from the embankment. He couldn’t deny the pull toward her, though he tried.
“Okay.” She put on the blinker and moved the truck to the next lane. “If I may ask, why are you still single?” Her voice dipped, coming out low, tentative. “If it’s not intruding?”
He struggled to hear her above the grumbling truck. But he made an effort because everything she said was important to him. He nearly gasped. Did her question mean she might be interested in him? Or was it wishful thinking on his part and simple curiosity on hers?
“Totally fine to ask.” In fact, he was secretly pleased by her question. Even if he didn’t like to divulge information about himself. He studied her beautiful profile again.
“You... you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” She stopped at the traffic light, then turned as the road was clear.
Nostalgia enveloped him. “We were in high school. Lolly had this long copper reddish hair and freckles all over her face, neck, shoulders, and arms. She moved fast, danced fast, and talked fast. We shared a love of country music, and she’d belt out songs while I played the guitar at the beach. She was summer vacationing at the ocean with her parents.” His heart squeezed at the memory. But it no longer felt like a knife turned there.
Diana didn’t say anything, but her grip on the steering wheel seemed to tighten. For a moment, it was as if he could smell the scent of Lolly’s shampoo, something fresh while slightly sweet and fruity.
He continued, “When the summer was over, she promised to return the next summer. She did, and we had the ocean waves, the beautiful songs, and her laughter and the splatter of salty water and freckles all fusing into each other. I was ecstatic and in love. I jumped into love with the same abandonment I jumped into the ocean from the cliff.
“By then, she was accepted into a prestigious college in New York to study vocals. Lolly wanted to be a singer. Of course, I wouldn’t stand in her way. I wanted the best for her. Two months after she left for college, while I was still gathering funds to go to New York to be with her, she let me know she met someone else.” He chuckled without mirth. “Of course, I wouldn’t stand in her way. I wished her the best.”
“I’m sorry,” Diana whispered. She met his gaze before returning her attention to the road, then passed a car.
All these years later, no sharp pain accompanied the memory. Sometimes it even felt like it had happened to someone else. Like words in a country song. “The younger me was devastated.” Another mirthless chuckle grated its way up his throat. “Whenever I saw a redhead in a tourist crowd, I’d run to that person only to find out it wasn’t her. I never ate pomegranate again, because that was the scent of her shampoo. Now I think it was for the better that she left. I came across her name online a few years ago. I listened to her songs. She has a lot of them by now. She did become a singer and is married to a fellow country singer. It’s her third marriage.” No regret lingered, only a mist of nostalgia.
“It’s her loss. I mean you’re clearly a catch.” Diana coughed a little. “I mean, oh boy.”
He perked up. Diana thought he was a catch?
Don’t even go there.
If his first love had been like a thunderstorm and he’d felt struck by lightning—or starstruck?—Diana was more like the ocean on a sunny day, sparkling with kindness and bringing a breeze both refreshing and calming. He was content to be around her. Just bask in her presence.
Only... he couldn’t allow himself to fall in love with her. Just like Lolly, Diana was just passing through his touristy hometown, though for a different reason. She’d be leaving soon enough. And that gave him a much more painful jab than the memories.
He forced himself to look away. He was her guide today, a human version of a GPS, so he’d better do his job. “Bay and Basin will be to the right, four blocks from here.”
“I can see it now.” She slowed. “And... later in life, nobody ever piqued your interest again?”
“A couple of years later, I considered leaving the ranch for a music career of my own. So I dated, but nothing serious. I know lots of people make it work, but I wasn’t sure I could combine touring the country and married life. But the main reason was probably because nobody stirred my heart again.”
Until now. The words nearly slipped from his tongue before he managed to stop them.
“I love your family. You’re so close-knit and supportive of each other.” Her voice sounded wistful.
“And my family loves you.”
Her cheeks pinked. “Oh please. They are just being kind.” She veered into the parking lot.
“That, too. But they also appreciate how you’re always ready to help, be it to do dishes or make dinner. Or clean the wound for me. Not just because of that, of course. It’s pleasant to be in your company. You have... this radiance and warmth coming from you.”
Her blush deepened as she took an empty parking spot. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Not at all.” But as much as he was grateful for her constant willingness to help, he wanted the tension to relax in her shoulders or at the corners of her lovely lips covered in the lip gloss that smelled faintly of vanilla.
To ease her worries.
To wrap his arms around her and tell her she didn’t need to worry or be in working mode, she could relax and everything was going to be all right. And then keep her close for some time. Close enough to hear her heartbeat...
His pulse spiked. He shouldn’t be hugging her. And if he wanted her to worry less, he needed to help her find her missing friend.
She turned off the engine.
“Hold on a moment.” Remembering the falling capstone, he glanced around. It looked safe enough, though he wished he had his PI brother’s skills to know for sure. Her safety was of paramount importance.
He climbed out of his truck, hurried around, and opened the vehicle door for her with his left hand. Just because he couldn’t use his right hand for several days didn’t mean he should stop being a gentleman.
“Thank you. You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.” He meant it. He’d have done it for other people, too, but Diana was becoming important to him.
Aware of his surroundings, he hung close to her as they walked to Bay and Basin. Maybe it was because of the capstone incident or because he’d glimpsed a fragile expression in her sad gray eyes, but she awakened his protective instincts.
However, the reason she had that fragile expression was because she was still grieving her husband, wasn’t it? His heart shifted again, for a different reason.
Seconds later, he opened the front door for her with his left hand and glanced inside the restaurant. Was it a mistake to bring her to a public place? Darius and Kai had volunteered to lunch here and keep an eye on things—or anything suspicious. But would that be enough?
The scents of fresh-baked bread, grilled meat, and hearty chowders met him with a hum of voices. Even a half hour before the lunch rush, the surf-and-turf restaurant with its artsy seafaring décor was already busy. Fishing nets hung from the rustic ceiling, catching up nothing more than crab shells, oyster shells, and starfish. Anchors and seashell collages graced the painted wooden walls between big windows where light gleamed on framed photos of customers’ record-breaking catches. In an aquarium along one wall, colorful fish swam in and around shimmery underwater towers.
Marina hurried to them with a welcoming smile. She’d smoothed her blonde hair into a bun where not a single hair dared to be out of place and paired a pencil black skirt with tall boots and a powder-blue blouse. She’d never liked the flamingo-pink uniforms, so no surprise that she seldom wore them. “Welcome! I hope you enjoy it here.”
“I’m sure I will. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us.” Diana returned the smile, and it reached her lovely eyes.
They followed Marina to their table. A softness accentuated the quiet glow about Diana and her voice and her movements, something he hadn’t seen in anyone before, or maybe he hadn’t noticed before she’d shown up in his life.
Only she hadn’t shown up in his life . She’d shown up in his hometown . With a mission, and she’d be leaving once she accomplished said mission. That was all. Just like Lolly, Diana was passing through Port Sunshine and his life. He hadn’t known it with Lolly, but he knew it with Diana. He’d better guard his heart this time.
Easier said than done.
As if realizing his dilemma about possible danger for Diana in a public place, Marina ushered them into a booth in a rear corner tucked away with fewer people. He’d rather sit outside on the deck, letting Diana enjoy the fresh air and stunning ocean views. But it could be dangerous for her, so he approved of Marina’s choice.
The booth was also beneficial because it allowed him to see both exits. He’d picked up a few tips from his private investigator brother and personal bodyguard sister-in-law. Marina must be aware of those tips, as well.
Laredo nodded to the people he knew as he followed Marina and Diana to the table, shook hands, and man-hugged some, including Darius and Kai, who greeted Diana first. Hmm, his brothers could overlook both the booth and the entrance from their table. As a former attorney who was used to planning several steps ahead, Marina must’ve assigned the seating in her mind way before the lunch. As always, his family came through and warmed him deep in his soul.
“Don’t worry, bro,” Kai whispered to Laredo. “We’ll keep an eye on things. Enjoy your date .” His mischievous brother even winked at him, his bandanna sliding low on his forehead. At least his actor-cowboy brother hadn’t taken the pirate outfit to a new level with an eye patch.
Darius just hid an understanding smile. He was the quiet one in the family.
Laredo nearly corrected Kai. After all, this wasn’t a date , no matter how much Laredo wanted it to be, but saying so would reveal what Kai had said. Best if Diana didn’t know that. So Laredo merely said thanks before moving on.
He knew nearly all the patrons here, which gave him some peace of mind. The only people he didn’t know were an elderly couple wrangling four children. Surely, Marina would also look out for any strangers, especially suspicious ones.
He caught many curious glances sent toward Diana and the questions in people’s eyes as they looked at him—except for the elderly couple with four grandchildren, of course. His chest tightened. The local rumor mill had already started working.
They sat at the booth. He was right. It had a clear view of the entrance and the emergency exit, though he hoped they wouldn’t have to exit fast.
“Thank you.” He took the laminated menu from Marina, despite knowing the dishes here. Bay and Basin was a place of comfort—including comfort food. But this time, it felt anything but “comfortable” as excitement over being here with Diana bubbled under his skin.
“My pleasure. I’ll drop off your order, then join you.” Marina turned to Diana. “What would you like to drink?”
“Lemonade, please.” Diana glanced at the menu, then handed it back. “I’m ready to order. I’ll take baked salmon on a bed of rice and fresh vegetables.”
Marina penned the order. Then she turned to Laredo. “What about you?”
“Iced tea to drink. Medium-rare steak with a baked potato and green beans. Make it a loaded baked potato, please.” Despite new additions to the menu and its variety, he usually went for his favorite here.
One could find security in the familiar. Then his gaze switched to Diana’s adorable face, and his pulse picked up speed. Something could also be said for the attraction of new and exciting.
“Got it.” Marina’s gaze moved from him to Diana and back, and a smirk creased her lips. Then she disappeared toward the kitchen.
As much as he wanted to look at Diana, he paid attention to his surroundings, but the only change was that the children stopped fighting and were munching on fish sticks and french fries.
His gaze shifted to the makeshift stage. “There’s a karaoke night on Saturday. And on Fridays...” His throat went dry. Just like that first time when he’d performed on stage.
Diana seemed to understand him without words. “Do you sing here on Fridays?”
“Yes. I... I’d love you to come hear me sing—and enjoy the awesome food, of course.”
She laughed. She had such a melodic laugh, and his chest expanded at seeing her happy. Even if only for several minutes. “I’d be delighted to. Not for the food, though I’m sure it’s awesome. I’ll be delighted to hear you sing.”
His chest expanded, and more excitement bubbled up. He so wanted to impress her, and singing was what he did best. Well, he did ranching well, too, but it was easier to impress someone with vocals and guitar playing than with feeding horses oats or flakes of hay. On the other hand, some of the women his brothers dated had loved to feed bottle babies—abandoned calves—but it wasn’t the calving season.
Lord, please guide me. I don’t know if You sent Diana my way to protect her or if You meant her for me. Please help me understand. Please help me lead her to You if she’s not there. And please keep her safe and help us find her friend.
Diana looked around the restaurant. “I love it here. Especially the aquarium.”
“Me, too. But the ocean is even more fascinating. My brothers and I used to snorkel a lot as children.” It was also an excuse to sneak out after work had been done on the ranch. To get as far away from their abusive father as possible.
Laredo had also considered another way to get away from his dad. “Growing up, I dreamed of being a sailor or a marine biologist. But the call of the land and the call of music grew much louder than the call of the ocean.”
“Do you ever regret not answering... other calls?” Her gray eyes were probing and attentive.
“I’m happy at the ranch. And I don’t think now that I’d want to become a sailor or a marine biologist. Besides, we have some sad examples of sailors not coming home, like my sister-in-law Skylar’s father. Though it turned out he disappeared for a different reason than drowning at sea.”
“Would it be okay to ask what happened to your father? You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to,” she added hastily.
“We’re told he committed suicide, but some of us doubt suicide was the cause of death.” His gut tightened. He didn’t grieve his father as much as he feared someone he loved might’ve had a hand in Dad’s death. He didn’t discuss it with his brothers, but he suspected some of them felt the same. If not all.