Authors: Gina Watson
After driving for over an hour, Maura was relieved to be turning onto the David’s tree-lined drive. She walked upstairs and knocked on Parker’s door. No answer. She made her way to the other wing and knocked on Courtney’s door, but again there was no answer. She went back downstairs and out to the backyard. Empty. Suddenly she felt really blue and in need of some company. How was it possible that all of the people who lived in this house were gone at the same time?
She flopped down in a chair at the table under the massive wrap-around back porch. Birds chirping in the distance were the only sounds to be heard. Maura fished out her cell phone and dialed Bailey.
“Hey, Bails. I guess you’re busy with the new floor. I hope it’s going well. If you don’t have plans with Parker maybe we can get dinner. If you do that’s cool, I’ll just catch you later. Bye.”
Next she rang Fiona. “Fiona, I’m sorry I missed you. If this message gets to you in time maybe you’d like to grab some dinner tonight. Hope all is well. If I don’t see or hear from you before Monday I hope you have a great weekend. Bye.”
“
That was lame
.” Hmm, could she be out with Everett?
Maura rested her head on her arm and traced imaginary patterns on the smooth glass tabletop. What was she doing here anyway? She should just go back to the motel.
“
Ugh.”
“
Maura?”
O
h bloody perfect
. She lifted her head and sat up. “Hey, Julian.”
He sat across from her. “Did you enjoy it?”
Was he talking about sex? “What?”
“Avery Island.” He regarded her quizzically.
“Yeah, it was great.” She tried not to sound sarcastic.
“Isn’t it? Did you see the Buddha?”
Buddha
? She nodded.
“It’s centuries old and was gifted to Mr. Ned.” His smile was sincere and she wished she could have had him with her. They could have toured the island. He would have shared all of that knowledge with her and she would have hung on every word. He looked exactly the same as he did when she’d left. Just what the hell had been so pressing that he wouldn’t accompany her?
“Did you get all of your work completed?”
His smile abated. “Yeah, I got a lot done.”
He was lying. He just didn’t want to go with her. Maura stood.
“Maura, would you like to get some dinner?”
“No, I already ate. Thanks.”
“Oh? Because I heard you on your phone and it sounded like you were looking to grab dinner with someone.”
Her lips tightened. So he thought to catch her in a little white lie—two could play that game. “What did you do today, Julian?”
“What?” He seemed nervous all of a sudden and she couldn’t have been happier. It was a first she thought—Julian nervous in
her
presence.
Maura placed her palms on the table and leaned forward. “I asked what it was that you were so busy with today, all day.”
C
heckmate!
He didn’t like that. He huffed out a breath and his nostrils flared. “I didn’t do a damn thing,” he smirked, blowing off her intensity. He really was dragon-like.
She cocked her head and clicked her tongue in disgust. “What a good liar you can be.” She grabbed her purse and swiftly walked to her room taking the stairs two at a time.
An hour later Maura had all of her belongings in a central pile on the large king-sized bed. She walked out to her Corolla and retrieved the collapsed moving boxes and packing tape.
Building boxes was a task she enjoyed. It utilized large motor movements and the zip of the tape was satisfying. Six built boxes later she began to fill them with her clothes, books, and toiletries. Once they were taped shut she psyched herself up for the arduous task of carrying them to her car.
She held onto the first box and struggled, turning sideways to fit through the bedroom door.
“Let me help you.” The weight in her hands became nonexistent, throwing her a little off balance.
“I’ve got it, Julian.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Where do you want it?”
“I’m taking it out to my car.”
She led him outside and used the key fob in her hand to pop open the trunk. She removed the white horse head porcelain bust she’d purchased.
“You bought a Gabriel David.”
“What?”
“The horse—it’s one of my cousin’s originals.” He took it from her hands and flipped it over to analyze the bottom.
“I got it at a resale shop.”
Green eyes met hers. “You mean you didn’t know?”
“Know it was your cousin? No. Small world. Do you think your mom will want it for the hallway console table?”
“Yeah, she’ll love it. She has some prints of the white horse.”
“Great. If you don’t mind carrying it, I find it a little heavy.”
Maura thought the horse head bust looked better on the table than the vase. The David home with its rustic exposed wooden beams married well with nature. She’d missed the place.
“So are you moving out then?”
“Yeah, I um rented a place.”
“Where?” Julian leaned against the table.
“It’s close to the school.”
“Is it safe?” He rubbed his fingers across his chin.
Maura shrugged. “I guess.” Hoping he would quit asking questions, she refocused her efforts on moving the boxes.
“We’ll put these boxes in my truck and I’ll go over with you.”
“No!”
“Maura, this won’t all fit in your car.”
“I’ll make two trips.”
“Let me go with you and I can help you carry them into your new place. Plus I can check out the security.”
“No need. Already done that. Thanks though. I’m very busy tonight. I’ve got some essays to grade and actually I think I’ll just get the rest of this later.” She made her way down the stairs and he followed after her.
“Why are you being so weird?”
She turned back when she heard how close behind her he was. “I’m not being weird, I’m just really busy.” She opened the front door and bounded out to the grass. “Bye, Julian.”
Maura rested her forehead on the steering wheel of her car. Lying to him made her feel sick. Had she lied? She did have some essays still to grade.
For the one-hundredth time since she’d met him she wished her life had turned out differently.
Sitting back in his chair at the conference table, Julian tried to focus his brain on the task at hand: promoting the newly-acquired David Seafood merchandise to fifteen local restaurateurs that Bailey had gathered together this morning, but his mind was with a tall chestnut-haired beauty.
Julian watched as Bailey dazzled the business owners and franchisers with her wit and charm. They were all on board and Julian was delighted in her prowess because it freed him up to think about hazel eyes and full raspberry-tipped breasts.
Shit
! He was starting to get hard beneath the table.
The leather office chair squeaked as he leaned forward and grabbed a bottle of water from the center of the table.
“Don’t you think so, Julian?”
Glancing around the table he sobered quickly, realizing all eyes were on him. “What’s that?” He looked to Bailey for guidance.
“Mr. Bridges thinks a kiosk near the hostess station of his delicious restaurant would be a good new venture to try. He will marry our products with his. I’ve explained that we are prepared to offer the products with payment only after a sale has been made.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. It’s perfect. I’m loving all of that.”
Several other business owners expressed interest in the same setup and by the time it was over, Julian had over twenty e-mail messages in his account regarding inquiries of selling David brand products, including one major grocery store chain. How had knowledge of the new David merchandise spread so quickly? They’d be selling rubs, seasonings, shrimp and crab boil, T-shirts, caps, and other trinkets Bailey had researched.
The meeting ended and the restaurateurs filed out. “Bailey, can I speak with you a moment?”
“Sure. What’s on your mind?”
She grabbed a bottled water and took the chair next to him.
“Your sister.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “What about her?”
Julian played with the cap of his water bottle. “It’s been over a week since I’ve heard from her.”
“Really?”
She seemed confused as her forehead crinkled. “She was at the house on Tuesday and again last night to meet with Everett.”
Julian leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “Have you not been to her new place then?”
“No not yet. She said she’s not ready for visitors. She’s still unpacking.”
“I see.” He didn’t, but he’d be getting to the bottom of Maura’s current set of lies. “You did an amazing job today, Bailey. You’re an asset to the company and to our family.”
Julian watched her blush start in the apples of her cheeks and dip down her neck and chest. The sisters had that deep blush in common. “Thank you.” Her words were whispered as she quietly exited the room. Julian hadn’t meant to cause her to cry, but he’d heard a sniffle as she walked away from him. His words were true: she was those things and so much more.
The cold steel of his cell phone slipped through his fingers and landed on the carpeted floor. He picked it up, inspecting it for damage. When he found none he placed a call to Everett.
“This is Everett.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m having a great day, Julian. Thanks. How’s yours?”
“Cut the shit. Where are you?”
“I’m stuck on the I-10 in hideous traffic, using the hands-free feature. Pretty cool.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Something on your mind, Julia?”
“Maura.”
“Ah, no wonder you’re being an ass.”
“I suspect something’s up with her rental.”
“Like what?”
“I think she’s lying about something. I don’t know. I’m going to go by Alan’s house on the way home and see if she’s living there.”
“No, she’s moved.”
“I know that’s what she says, but something’s off.”
“I’ve got her most recent address. Dad wanted me to keep tabs on her to ensure she couldn’t be tracked, but she totally can be. She’s using credit cards, wifi, cell phone. She’s not really good at stealth mode.
“Did you explain it to her?”
“I told her to go off the grid.”
“Is that all you told her?”
“Well yeah, but I’ve got her flagged so that any move she makes I’m notified of.
I’m sure her douche of an ex is doing the same. ”
“What’s the address?”
“I’m driving right now. Now that I think about it I thought it kind of a strange one. Some suite on the interstate.”
“How long before you’re home?”
“Twenty.”
“I’ll meet you at the house and then we can drive over there together.”
“All right, brother.”
“See ‘ya.”
A suite on the interstate? She’d made it sound like she’d rented another house. Weird. Why would she be deceptive about that? Something was definitely up.
***
“Motel Six?” Julian scratched his head in thought.
“Are you sure you gave me the right directions?”
“I’m following the GPS.” Julian stared down at the device in his hand, disbelieving.
“I must have taken down the address wrong.” Everett turned into the aging motel in dire need of a new driveway and paint job. He u-turned and steered the BMW away from the building.
“Wait. Let’s loop around the lot. Look for a blue Corolla.” Everett backed up and followed the directives.
“Right there.” Julian pointed to the car in question. “What do you think?”
“How many blue Corollas are out there? I think it’s a pretty good chance it’s her.”
Everett backed into a slot at the back of the lot, beneath a shade tree. “What are we doing?” Julian watched Everett for clues.
Everett fingered his upper lip. “I don’t know. I’m trying to figure this one out. It doesn’t make any sense to leave our house to come over here. Plus, I don’t think it’s altogether safe. Has she said anything to you?”
“She mentioned renting a house.”
“Let’s go in and see if we can extract any details. We’ll need to be charming.”
“I can be charming.”
“Hmm.” Everett eyed him doubtfully.
“I can.”
“Just don’t act like a douche.”
“I’ll be Mr. Rogers on fucking Prozac.”
Julian stumbled on a huge crater in the parking lot and mumbled some expletives under his breath only to be given the stink eye by Everett. “What? I almost busted my ass!”
Everett couldn’t be bothered. Instead he increased his strides and made haste toward the door. Inside, the counter was cracked and chunks of laminate were missing here and there, exposing gray-stained wood where the entire edge had been stripped away. Linoleum on the floor was torn and gouged in sections.
Everett tapped a bell on the counter.
“This place is a hole.”
“Wow, you really are a princess, Julia.”
“Don’t start that shit, Everett. I just don’t like thinking about her in a place like this.”
“Oh?” He quirked a questioning brow. “You claim to not be thinking about her at all these days.”
A woman with long frizzy silver hair came through an archway behind the counter. Most of her hair escaped the jaw clip she wore. A cigarette dangled from her lips and wisps of smoke wafted up to curl in front of a no smoking sign.
Everett offered her a smile. Her eyes raked over the portion of his body visible to her from behind the counter. Julian guessed she didn’t get many handsome fuckers in expensive Italian suits in this dump.
“How do you do? I love that blue on you. Is that silk?”
“Polyester.” She replied dryly.
“Machine washable. Even better.”
She took a long drag from her cigarette and exhaled in Everett’s face. He coughed and fanned the smoke away with his hand.
“I’m in need of a little help.”
She placed a hand on her hip and continued to puff. “Mmmhmm.”
“A woman by the name of Maura Douglas would have registered for a room a little over a week ago. How long will she be staying with you?”
“Get out.”
“I’m only here to help her. I’m her lawyer.”
“And I’m Mother-fucking Theresa.”