Just a Kiss (21 page)

F
rumpy Joe's was filled with Saturday morning customers, some chatting animatedly, others still trying to wake up with their steaming white mugs of coffee. The savory smell of bacon hung in the air alongside the sweeter smell of maple syrup.

Paige settled into the last booth. She was lucky to find an empty one. She'd forgotten today was Open Lighthouse Day. The one day a year the Coast Guard provided access to many of Maine's lighthouses. Lighthouse Pointe drew its fair share of visitors. Already the town was crawling with tourists.

Her empty stomach gave a hard twist. Had she forgotten to eat supper last night? She'd worked until almost ten and yes, she had fallen into bed exhausted. There might've been a vending machine snack somewhere in there.

All her days were running together. It had only been two and a half weeks since Riley had left. Was this what life without him was going to be like? She had to find something else to do. She was all caught up and then some at work. She'd already cleaned out and
rearranged all the files and scoured the place to death. She was probably driving Molly crazy.

Lucy bounced into the booth, all smiles. “Morning!”

Paige tried not to hate her. “Someone's already highly caffeinated.”

Lucy made a face. “Guilty. Three cups. But let's get you some.”

She signaled Charlotte, who was bustling around with a full carafe, her red hair coiffed in a low, messy bun.

Paige tipped her mug over as Charlotte approached. “Help.”

“Is on the way,” the owner said, pouring a steaming stream of the dark brew. When she finished she looked at Lucy. “Any for you, sweetie?”

Paige's hand fell to cover Lucy's upside-down mug. “Don't you dare.”

Charlotte patted her shoulder before turning to the next table.

“What's Zac doing this morning?” Paige asked after she'd taken a long, slow sip of the java.

“Sleeping in. There was a band last night, so it was a late one. You should've come. It was fun. They played a lot of country classics.”

“I had some work to get caught up on.”

Lucy shrugged out of her jacket. “You've been working a lot lately.”

“Just trying to stay busy.”

Lucy gave her a sympathetic smile as the server came to take their orders. Paige ordered a Belgian waffle and added a side of bacon. She needed the protein. None of it sounded good.

A siren fired up in the distance, its wailing gaining steam as it neared and passed the café. Some crazy tourist had probably taken
a dive off Lighthouse Pointe or something. She whispered a quick prayer for their safety, then felt a pang of guilt. One-liner prayers for help were becoming a habit. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a quality quiet time.

The bell over the door jingled, and Paige's eyes went to the entrance. Miss Trudy entered, and Paige caught her eye and waved her over.

“I can only stay for a minute.” The woman slid into the booth next to Lucy. “I'm meeting friends. I'm just waiting for a table.”

“Are you going through the lighthouse today?” Lucy asked.

“No, I'll be at the visitor center. It'll be a busy day.” She looked at Paige. “And how are you doing?”

Paige tried for a smile and injected some enthusiasm into her voice. “I'm fine.”

Miss Trudy scowled. “Don't you lie to me, missy. I can see the misery all over your face.”

Paige settled back in the booth, her smile crumbling. So much for faking it. “Has anyone heard from him?”

“He called Zac,” Lucy admitted after a brief pause. “He's settled into his apartment and his job, I suppose. Zac didn't think he sounded very happy.”

Miss Trudy huffed. “Of course he's not happy.”

A moment's consolation surged inside Paige, until guilt rose up in its place. Was that really what she wanted? For Riley to be as miserable as she was? After all he'd been through, he deserved better than her ill wishes.

“I hate seeing you all torn up like this,” Lucy said.

“I'll be fine.”

The server set down three ice waters, then scurried away.

Lucy pulled her straw from its wrapper and stuck it in the cup.
“I left Zac, too, remember? Last summer after I got my memory back? I just needed to go back home and get some things straight. But I came back.”

Paige gave a wry grin. “I don't think it's the same thing.”

“Maybe not . . . but you never know.”

“I just feel so . . . adrift.” Her mind shot forward to the long day ahead. To the long evenings in her near future. It seemed so empty. So lonely. The kind of loneliness that struck terror in her heart.

Lucy placed her hand over Paige's. “I know it's hard not to have any kinfolk, but you're not alone. You're one of us.”

“Of course she is,” Miss Trudy said. “She knows that.”

“I do know, it's just . . .” Paige's face warmed. “I think about him all the stinking time.”

“Riley made his decision,” Miss Trudy said. “And there's nothing to be done about that. Maybe he'll come around, and maybe he won't. But if there's anything I've learned in all these years, it's that you can't control someone else. You can only control yourself—on a good day. You need to find something productive to keep your mind busy. Focus on you. On being the best
you
you can be.”

“Why, Aunt Trudy,” Lucy said. “That's wonderful advice.”

“Don't know why you sound so surprised. I'm a virtual fount of wisdom.”

“I have been staying busy,” Paige said. “I've been working till bedtime, but I'm running out of things to do, and if I don't find something to occupy me, I'm going to go crazy.”

“You could start jogging with me and Eden. We go three mornings a week.”

Paige sighed. That would take care of three hours. It was something. “Maybe.”

Miss Trudy's brows puckered in a thoughtful look. “What about volunteering somewhere?”

“Like where?”

“We could always use more help at the community center,” Lucy said. “There are a few adults who help out on Saturdays and after school. The kids need mentors, and I have a few who need help with homework. Sometimes we get a little overwhelmed.”

“That's a fine idea,” Miss Trudy said.

A bit of hope bloomed inside Paige at the thought of helping kids who might be disconnected at home. She knew what that was like. She wished the center had been there when she was a kid. It would've been a place to go. A place where she might not have felt so . . . in the way.

“I could do that. I was good in school. Hey, maybe I could even bring an animal for the kids to play with—if it's okay with you.”

Lucy's blue eyes sparkled. “I love that idea. I wish I'd have thought of it before. I have a couple kids who haven't really connected with anyone. A dog or a cat might be just the thing.”

“Animals have a way of breaking through barriers.” Paige thought of Bishop and Riley and immediately pushed the thought away. “Let's do it. I have a mixed breed adolescent that's very friendly. Calm but playful. I think he'd be perfect.”

“Bring him on over. The kids will love it.”

There was a lot of shuffling at the entrance of the café. A couple had just entered and were speaking with Charlotte. The owner put her hand over her mouth, her eyes going wide.

“What's going on?” Lucy turned to see what Paige was looking at.

Charlotte rang up an older gentleman with a cane, then picked
up her carafe and came to their table. She turned over Miss Trudy's mug and filled it, her hand shaking.

“Everything okay, Charlotte?” Lucy asked.

“I don't think so. The Crawfords just told me there's been a terrible accident a couple blocks over.” Her gaze went around the table, stopping at Miss Trudy. “I'm afraid it's Sheriff Colton.”

T
he columns on the computer blurred together. Man, he was dragging. Riley blinked hard a few times, rubbed his eyes. Even the coffee hadn't perked him up this morning. He propped his chin on his fist and continued scanning the columns.

The hum of a truck filtered into the office. Someone was loading windows or doors in preparation for their day. The air in the office was warm, almost stifling. Stupid Georgia weather. It was supposed to be fall. He thought wistfully of autumn in Summer Harbor. The temperatures would be cooler now, the trees shimmering with gold and red. Wood stoves churning out the homey smell of burning logs into the crisp fall air. He could almost smell it now.

“Riley.”

His head popped up, his back straightening. He blinked.

Noah came into focus, standing just inside the office door, his lips pressed together. Dan, one of their roofers, was at his side.

“Dan needs his check.”

“Oh, sure. Sorry.” He rifled through the mess on his desk, heat climbing into his face. He couldn't believe he'd fallen asleep on the job. He finally found the envelope. “Here you go.”

Dan approached the desk. It was his day off, so he wore a T-shirt and basketball shorts.

Riley's eyes trailed down to the man's prosthetic leg. He blinked in surprise.

Dan took the check. “Thanks. Have a good weekend, y'all.” Then he strode from the office.

Riley stared at the empty doorway. The guy was a workhorse. He showed up at seven a.m. to load his truck, then spent all day climbing ladders and scrambling around on a hot roof. Hard labor. Physical.

“Didn't know he was an amputee?” Noah asked.

“Never seen him in shorts.”

“Yeah, you'd never know. He's one of my best workers. I tend to forget it myself.”

Riley wondered how long ago he'd lost his leg. And for just a second he wondered if he'd sold himself short. He thought about the conversation he'd had with Beau months ago. He'd been adamant that he'd never be able to do something as physical as lobstering. Had he been wrong?

Noah lowered himself into the chair across from the desk with a big sigh. “We need to talk, man.”

Riley winced. Bad enough he'd overslept three times, now he was napping on the job. Heat climbed into his face again. “I'm sorry. I just drifted off for a second. It won't happen again.”

“I'm not worried about the job. I'm worried about you. You got bags under your eyes, man.”

“I'm just getting used to a new place, a new bed, that's all.”

Noah stared back with knowing eyes. “I was outside your office the other day when that car backfired.”

A tingling swept up the back of Riley's neck and into his face.
One minute he'd been clacking away on the keyboard, the next he'd been flat on the ground, his nose in the carpet. He hadn't thought anyone had seen.

“It's nothing to be ashamed of,” Noah said. “A lot of guys hit the wall when they come back. Are you seeing someone about it?”

Riley's chair squeaked as he sat back. “No. I was back home.”

Okay, one time. But the man hadn't understood. Didn't get it. How could he when he'd never been over there? Never seen the things Riley had?

“Look, I'm no expert, but everyone knows soldiers sometimes come back with PTSD. You got all the signs, man.”

Shame crawled through him, making his stomach turn with nausea. A denial was on his lips, but he suppressed it. Suppressed the instant desire to cross his arms over his chest and get defensive. Noah was right. He did have all the symptoms. And they'd only gotten worse since he'd arrived in Copper Creek. Seeing his old buddy again probably hadn't helped. It just brought everything back.

“I care about you, man,” Noah said. “I have a pastor friend. He's got a degree in psychology, but most importantly, he's very wise and a good listener. Believe me, I've been bending his ear plenty lately. I can text you his number if you want.”

Riley exhaled. He was tired of fighting this. Tired of feeling this way. And just plain old tired. If he didn't do something, he was going to lose his job, and then where would he be?

“Sure. That'd be great.”

“All right.” Noah pushed to his feet. “Well, I got a job waiting. Forbes called in sick, and the Malloys say their windows can't wait till Monday.”

The Malloys were a pain. “Have fun.”

Noah strode from the room, and Riley watched him go, his heart beating up into his throat at the thought of dragging all his crap out into the open. But he had to do something. Lord knew, what he was doing now sure wasn't working.

P
aige took a sip of her coffee and nearly spit the cooled brew back out. Vending machine coffee was one thing.
Cold
vending machine coffee . . . blech.

She stood from the chain of waiting room seats, dumped the Styrofoam cup into the trash, and returned, sitting between Miss Trudy and Lucy.

As soon as they'd heard that the sheriff had been whisked away to the hospital in Ellsworth, she and Lucy had offered to escort Miss Trudy here. The older woman had been withdrawn the whole way, her eyes closed, no doubt storming heaven's gates for the man's life. Paige had been on the phone gathering facts.

The sheriff had been using the crosswalk in front of the Mangy Moose Gift Emporium this morning when a car struck him. The deputy said it was a tourist, an elderly lady, who hadn't seen him. Fortunately she hadn't been going very fast, but Danny had still taken a hard hit.

Now Miss Trudy's hands were wringing themselves to death. It had been almost two hours since they'd received word that he
was headed into surgery. The hospital staff would tell them nothing, since they weren't family. He had no wife or children, and his parents had passed on, but his cousin had recently arrived from Penobscot, so they hoped for an update soon.

Paige set her hand over Miss Trudy's, stilling them. “The deputy said the car wasn't going very fast. I'm sure he's going to be fine.”

“We don't know that.” Her voice sounded strangled.

“We're praying, Aunt Trudy,” Lucy said. “We're praying hard.”

Paige closed her eyes and breathed another heartfelt prayer. Miss Trudy might be the most stubborn woman on the planet, but she loved the sheriff. There was no doubt in Paige's mind. She begged God to give the couple a chance to resolve their differences. If something happened to Danny with all this conflict between them, Miss Trudy would have so much regret.

Hearing the squeak of shoes on the sterile floor, Paige opened her eyes. The sheriff's cousin approached, running a hand through his thinning gray hair.

“Lloyd.” Miss Trudy popped to her feet. “What'd they say?”

Lloyd lumbered to a stop. With his towering height and broad shoulders, he reminded Paige of an older Danny. “He got out of surgery a bit ago. He came through fine. His thighbone was broken, and he's pretty scuffed up and bruised. They said when they move him to recovery they'll let me go back.”

Miss Trudy's legs seemed to buckle. Paige caught her elbow as she sank into her chair.

“See, he's going to be fine,” Lucy said.

“He took a knock to the head too,” Lloyd said. “He's got a concussion, so they're keeping an eye out for swelling, but he was lucid after the accident, so that's a good sign.”

Half an hour later Lloyd was allowed into the room. Beau had
arrived, and he sat on the other side of Miss Trudy. He'd brought her knitting bag, and the woman's hands hadn't stilled since he'd arrived.

Paige was grateful Miss Trudy had something to keep her busy—though her hands were uncharacteristically clumsy with the knitting needles. And she hadn't had a bite of the food Beau had brought.

“You should eat something, Miss Trudy,” Paige said. “I can see about warming up the breakfast wrap.”

“I couldn't eat a thing. My stomach's like a big ol' knot.”

Lucy shifted forward in her seat. “You heard what Lloyd said. He's going to be fine.”

“You heard what he said about the swelling. My friend's son took a knock to the head. Next thing they knew he was in a coma and brain-dead.”

“Don't borrow trouble, Aunt Trudy,” Lucy said. “You gotta have a little faith.”

“He's on the prayer chain,” Beau said. “Everyone's praying. I'll go get you some coffee.” He got up and headed toward the nearest vending machine.

He'd no sooner disappeared around the corner than Lloyd reappeared, his tall frame lumbering toward them.

“How's he doing?” Paige asked.

“He was still asleep, but his color's good. It'll take a while for the anesthesia to wear off. One of you can go back now. Room 311. Just down that hall on the left.”

“Aunt Trudy,” Lucy said. “You go on now.”

Miss Trudy set her knitting aside and stood, smoothing her shirt with trembling hands.

“I'll walk with you,” Paige said. For all the woman's eagerness,
she took her time getting to the room. Paige wondered what was going on in her mind.

Miss Trudy paused at the open doorway.

The sheriff lay still in the bed. His legs were propped up, his feet hanging off the end. There were wires and tubes and the steady beeping of the heart monitor.

“You okay?” Paige asked.

Miss Trudy pulled her spine straight, her shoulders rising. “I'm fine.” Then she walked through the door, clutching her purse to her stomach.

Despite her bravado, Paige was worried about her. Her face was ghostly pale, and she'd been so quiet. And then there was the way her knees had buckled earlier. She didn't see a chair in the room, so she went to the desk to request one.

A minute later Paige returned with the chair. Upon nearing the doorway she heard Miss Trudy's voice and paused.

“When you left me, Danny,” the woman was saying, “I was just heartbroken.”

The sheriff's eyes were closed, his strawberry-blond eyelashes fanning across his ruddy cheeks. His stomach rose and fell steadily.

“I didn't know what to do about the baby. I know I should've told you. But I loved you so much, and I was afraid. I was stuck here taking care of Mama, and I was afraid you wouldn't give up your big chance in the NBA for me. And then I was afraid you
would.
And how could I let you do that? It was your dream.

“One day I was sitting on the porch weeping, trying to figure things out, and Tom came by. I spilled my guts. Told him everything, and he just listened. He came back the next day and told me he'd been pining after me for a long time, and would I do him the honor of marrying him?”

She wrung her hands. “Maybe I should've said no. I cared about him as a friend, but I didn't love him. I knew it wasn't fair to him. But he seemed to know how I felt. Told me he understood, and he could live with that. So we did it. And when I lost the baby he was so kind. He said there'd be others . . . but I guess that wasn't part of God's plan.

“He was a good man, Danny. And I did learn to love him. Just not the same way I loved you.” She drew a deep breath and let it out. “I've been so busy being angry with you I never stopped to sort through that whole mess. Our past.”

She looked down, her head bowed for a long moment before she looked up again. “I forgive you, Danny. And I hope you'll forgive me too.” Her voice quivered with emotion. “I still love you, you old coot. I don't know why it took me so long to see it. I guess I'm just a stubborn old fool.”

“Been telling you that for years,” Colton said with a raspy voice.

Miss Trudy sucked in her breath. A long pause ensued, filled only by the steady beeping of the machines. “You're awake.”

His eyelashes fluttered, and his hazel eyes locked onto Miss Trudy, softening. He wet his lips. “Couldn't have you talking to yourself like some crazy lady, now, could I?”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I was hit by a car.”

“That's not funny. You have a broken leg and a concussion.”

“That explains a lot.” He slid a hand up his torso, stopping on his chest. “But what about the pain right here?”

“Your heart?” Miss Trudy leaned forward. “You have chest pain?”

“I sure do.”

Miss Trudy reached for the call button, but the sheriff grabbed
her hand, holding it for a second before he spoke. “I've had a pain in my heart since I lost you. And I'm afraid it's gonna hurt till I let this out.”

He paused to catch his breath, wet his lips. “I'm sorry I left you. And I understand why you did what you did. I forgive you.” A long pause filled the air. “I love you, Trudy. Hasn't been a day that's passed I didn't.”

His heart rate beeped faster on the monitor as his eyes pierced hers.

“Well.” The word came out on a long breath.

His red mustache twitched. “That all you got to say?”

Her chin jutted out. “I think I already said my piece, Danny Colton.” Her tone sounded more like the old Miss Trudy. With maybe a hint of something softer.

“I suppose you have.” The bedsheets rustled as he shifted. “Now are you going to get me some water, woman? I'm dry as the Sahara.”

Smiling, Paige set the chair down and backed away, blinking back tears. Tears of relief. Tears of joy. She loved a good happily-ever-after.

Even if she never seemed to get one of her own.