“I doubt she’s committed any crime, Chief. Why would you check up on her?”
Joe stared out at the ocean for a minute, and then said, “I don’t use my resources to play Big Brother, but Jenna Davies is scared of something, and that
worries me.” He glanced back at Reid. “I think you know what I’m talking about.”
Reid should have realized that the chief could see that Jenna was terrified. Both he and Silveira were used to dealing with people who had something to hide.
“I’d like to know if trouble is heading this way,” Joe added, his gaze searching Reid’s face.
“As far as I know, it’s not,” Reid said evenly. “But it’s not my story to tell.”
“No? I figured you were working something up with her. Or maybe it’s not a story you’re working on. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“Yes, she is,” Reid agreed. He debated telling the chief more. Deep down he believed that Jenna needed the help of the police, but he’d made her a promise, and he couldn’t break it.
“We’ve had reports of break-ins the last two days,” Joe said. “It’s probably petty thievery, but we’re planning to patrol the residential areas more closely. If you think there’s anything else I should know about, I’d appreciate a heads-up.”
Joe’s dog brought back the tennis ball, then barked. Joe picked up the ball and tossed it down the beach again. His dog kicked up sand as he ran after it, but got sidetracked by a bunch of seagulls landing on the beach. The birds scattered with a flutter of wings and cries.
“I can think of a few reasons why a woman wouldn’t come to the police if she was in trouble,” Joe continued. “One is that she’s done something il
legal, another is that she’s protecting someone, and a third is that she doesn’t think she can trust law enforcement.” His gaze held Reid’s. “If it’s the third, she’d be dead wrong. I don’t cover for anyone.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Pass it on.”
Reid nodded and moved down toward the water’s edge, spotting something that looked like a bottle in a pile of seaweed. As he drew closer, he realized it wasn’t a bottle but some metal object. He knelt down next to it. Tossing the seaweed to one side, he dug out the object, finally uncovering what appeared to be a very old and rusted bell that was almost a foot in diameter. He put his hand on the metal, his fingers tracing the letters of the word—
Gabriella, 1850
. His pulse quickened as he realized what he’d found.
The ship’s bell—he’d just uncovered the bell from a ship that had sunk a hundred and fifty years ago.
Adrenaline shot through him. Henry had told him that there hadn’t been one item to wash ashore since the morning after the ship went down. Reid laid his palm over the inscription, and as he did so, his skin began to sting. He felt light-headed, almost dizzy. He closed his eyes.
He could smell the fear on the ship, from the sailors battling the ocean’s fury to the passengers huddled together in the main salon. No one was talking. The music had stopped playing. It was late at night but people were afraid to sleep, terrified they would never wake up. The storm was the worst they had encountered since they’d left San Francisco.
As he moved through the ship, his real concern was for her, the woman he had met earlier that day. He’d interviewed her as he’d done many of the others. He planned to publish his stories when he returned to New York, and her tale was fascinating. He had to speak to her again. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.
His pace quickened as he heard a woman scream. Instinctively, he knew it was her, but he had taken only one step forward when his feet went out from under him and the ship shattered around him. They must have hit some rocks in the storm.
Water poured through the portholes, the doors. He couldn’t gain his footing. He was swept along to the outside deck, finally grabbing a piece of pipe, stopping his spiraling descent into the churning sea. People were running for lifeboats. Women, children, men, sailors.
He struggled to get up, but the ship was tilting at a dangerous angle. And then he saw her, the fear in her eyes, the blood on her dress…
“What have you got there?”
Reid’s eyes flew open in shock, and he stared up at Joe in confusion. It took him a minute to realize where he was. The chief gave him an odd look, then knelt down next to him to see what he’d discovered.
Reid took his hand off the bell, his fingers still tingling, his heart racing from the images that had flashed through his head. He couldn’t believe what he’d seen, what he’d felt, as if he’d been on that ship, been one of those people about to die.
Had
he died? But that was crazy. He didn’t know any of the people
onboard. He knew little to nothing about the wreck. So why did he feel like he’d just trespassed on someone else’s life, someone else’s memory?
“Shit!” Joe swore. “Is this what I think it is?”
“It’s the bell from that ship that went down,” Reid said slowly, still trying to get his wits about him.
“This is unbelievable. Do you know what this means?”
“That you’ll have a hell of a lot more people coming to town?”
Joe gave him a sharp look. “What’s wrong with you? You look like you saw a ghost.”
“I got an odd feeling when I touched the bell.” He had barely finished speaking when the Harlan brothers, the two kids, and the two dogs joined them to see what they were looking at.
“Oh, my God,” Roger Harlan said in shock. “It’s the bell from the
Gabriella
! The angels must have brought it up. That’s what they’ve been doing—flying around, stirring up the waters so the bell would come up, so people would believe again. They want that ship to be found.”
“This bell could have easily washed ashore because of the tides,” Joe said.
Reid’s pulse began to pound as he looked out at the water. A wisp of cloud passed in front of the sun. Or was it an angel? He blinked the image out of his head. He had
not
just seen an angel. He had to get hold of himself.
“I’m taking this into police custody,” Joe said.
“Hey, wait a second,” Reid said. “I found it.”
Joe frowned. “You’re not going to tell me you think you get to keep this?”
“Not keep it, but I would like to take some photographs of it and include it in my story,” Reid said, his mind racing ahead.
“You can come down to the station and shoot your pictures. Until I can sort out just what this is and where it needs to go, it stays with me.” Joe sighed as the Harlan brothers took off down the beach to share news of the discovery. “Those two will have this discovery spread all over town before I can get to the station. It’s just an old bell from an old ship. Why do people have to make so much of things?”
“You don’t feel anything when you’re touching it?” Reid asked, the words coming out before he could stop them.
“No.” Joe got to his feet. “You don’t think the angels brought this bell up from the deep, do you?”
Reid was shocked to realize that he couldn’t dismiss that scenario out of hand—but the images of what he’d seen and felt still raced around in his head. Where the hell had they come from?
He realized that the chief was still waiting for an answer. “Of course not. I don’t believe in angels.”
“That’s what I thought,” Joe said. “So why do I have the feeling you’re not as sure as you used to be?”
Kara saw uncertainty in Andrew’s eyes, and suspected the new minister was having a bad case of nerves. She’d been watching him fiddle with the microphone at the podium, his movements clumsy and awkward. Andrew was probably worried that the town still saw him as a kid. She could understand that. It was difficult to shake hometown labels. Most of her parents’ friends still saw her as one of the Murray children and not an adult woman in her own right, with a marriage and a career. In her line of work, it didn’t matter all that much what people thought of her. She provided a service. It was different for Andrew; he was supposed to be the new spiritual leader of the town. That was a heavy burden to carry. He looked up and caught her staring. She smiled.
He gave her a sheepish grin in return and walked down the steps to join her.
He was handsome in his robe, his blond hair
neatly styled, his face clean shaven. The women in Angel’s Bay were going to go crazy over him.
“How stupid did I look up there?” he asked.
“You looked nervous—not stupid.”
“I grew up in this church. It doesn’t feel quite right to be giving the sermon where I spent so many years listening to Reverend Adams. He was a good speaker. He made me listen even when I didn’t think I wanted to.”
Kara suspected Andrew would have the same effect on people. He had a natural charisma, a smile that drew a person in. “You’ll do great, Andrew. And it’s nice to have a different voice in the pulpit. Not that I didn’t care for Reverend Adams, but you’ll speak to a new generation. Your mother and father must be so proud.”
“They’re beside themselves. I think my mother has decided that my taking on this position has suddenly made her first lady of the town, even above the mayor’s wife.”
“Your mother may have competition when all the single women start lining up to see who will become the new reverend’s wife,” Kara teased.
“I don’t think it will be a long line.”
“Oh, come on, Andrew. You were one of the most popular boys in school. Half of the women you grew up with are still single and still live here. And then there are the new ones. The casseroles and baked goods will be arriving shortly, and you’ll have more volunteers for the ladies’ auxiliary than you know what to do with.”
As she finished speaking, Kara realized Andrew wasn’t listening to her. His attention was at the other end of the church. She saw Charlotte in the vestibule, talking to her mother. “Or maybe someone already has the lead in that race,” she added.
“What?” Andrew asked, his gaze still on Charlotte.
“Never mind. I see Jenna, our replacement piano player. I’ll go get her.”
Kara met up with Jenna at the back of the church. Jenna looked more nervous than Andrew, her face pale, her eyes worried. Kara had noticed that Jenna often appeared wary. She wondered what was in Jenna’s past to make her so cautious, but they weren’t good enough friends for her to broach that subject. Maybe someday they would be.
“Thanks again for doing this,” she said to Jenna. “The music is at the piano. I think it’s self-explanatory, but Mrs. Adams said she’d run through it with you. She’s Reverend Adams’s widow,” Kara explained at Jenna’s blank look. “She knows everything there is to know about how the church is run and how the service goes. Now, take a deep breath and relax.”
“I don’t think I’ll relax until the service is over.”
“You will be great,” Kara said, wondering how many more people she’d have to pump up today.
“I’ll take a look at the music,” Jenna said, heading toward the piano.
“I’ll see if I can find Mrs. Adams,” Kara replied. She walked down the center aisle, saying hello to some of the early arrivals. When she reached the
vestibule, she said, “Good morning, Charlotte, Mrs. Adams. The piano player is awaiting your instructions.”
“Excellent. I’ll talk to you later, Charlotte,” Monica said, then headed into the church.
“Are you and your mother fighting?” Kara asked Charlotte when they were alone. “She sounded a little ticked-off.”
“Always,” Charlotte replied in a weary voice.
“It must be difficult since your dad died.”
“It was hard before that, almost impossible now.”
“Sorry. Maybe you can pray she’ll change.”
Charlotte smiled. “God has already heard that prayer from me a million times. So far he’s not answering.”
“I thought you might bring Annie with you today.”
Charlotte shook her head. “I wanted to, but it’s too soon for her to face being the center of attention.”
“Well, I can understand that. Although I would love to meet her sometime.” While Charlotte appeared to be listening, her gaze seemed to be focused on Andrew. So that’s how the wind blew. “Okay, what’s going on?” Kara asked.
“Excuse me?”
“First Andrew, then you. You’re both checking each other out when the other one isn’t looking.”
Charlotte flushed. “Don’t be silly. It’s just strange to see him in his robe, looking so spiritual.”
“You two had a thing in high school. I bet
that
wasn’t spiritual,” she said with a laugh.
“Kara, we’re in church. Please.”
“Oh, please yourself. Andrew was hot back then and he’s hot now. What’s not to like?”
“It was a long time ago. Ancient history, not to be repeated.”
“Why not? He’s handsome and single, innately good, probably has the inside track on heaven. And you’re beautiful and single. If I add that up—”
“Don’t,” Charlotte said quickly. “I am not going down that road again.”
“Your mother would love it. Imagine—you could be the next minister’s wife.” She laughed at Charlotte’s pained expression. “Is that the real obstacle between you and Andrew?”
“Well, being a minister’s wife would not be my first choice.”
“You could do worse.”
“I am fine the way I am,” Charlotte said. “Why do all married women want to set up their single friends?”
“We want you to be as happy as we are.” Kara grinned.
“Who’s happy?” Colin asked, coming up behind her. He kissed her on the cheek and put his arm around her. “Hi, Charlotte.”
“Colin, tell your wife not to match-make.”
“Who are we matchmaking, honey?”
“Don’t even say it,” Charlotte warned Kara. “You’ll start a rumor before you know it,” she added as families began to fill the church. “Let’s sit down.”
Kara followed Colin and Charlotte down the aisle. They took a seat in the third pew from the
front as Jenna began to play. The music flowed from her fingers with a beauty that made Kara pause. She’d heard the same song played every Sunday, but for some reason it sounded different today.
“She’s good,” Colin whispered in her ear.
“Very good,” Kara agreed, wondering why a woman who played so well would be so nervous.
The song ended, and Andrew took his place at the podium. He gazed out at the crowd and smiled. “Friends,” he said. “It’s good to be back.”
More than a dozen people stopped Jenna on her way out of the church to tell her how much they had enjoyed her music. Playing for someone besides herself had made her feel a little more connected to her old life, her old self. As the number of compliments grew, she realized that she’d probably gone overboard, judging by some of the reviews of “amazing,” “fabulous,” and “the best we’ve ever heard.” She had meant to play like an average pianist, but once her fingers had hit the keys, she hadn’t been able to stop herself. She didn’t miss the pressure of her old life, but she did miss the music.
Outside the church, she stopped under a tree. Lexie was in the playground with Kimmy, twirling on the merry-go-round. The ladies’ auxiliary had set up a buffet picnic with sandwiches, pastas, salads, desserts, even a Sno-Cone machine. At another table they were serving lemonade and punch. Angel’s Bay certainly celebrated every moment of life.
If anyone had told her that she could trade London, Paris, Vienna, and Rome for a small seaside community on the California coast and be happy, she wouldn’t have believed them. But aside from the constant worries about Brad, she was starting to fit in quite well here. She was getting to know people, making friends. She’d never really had girlfriends and she found the idea immensely appealing. She also saw Lexie blossoming with friends who already loved her. The two of them could bloom here.
“Jenna.”
The sound of Reid’s voice brought her head around. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t seen him approach. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his face, still bruised from his fight but incredibly handsome. Her gaze dropped to the sexy mouth that had driven her crazy the night before. When she lifted her head, she saw a smoldering look of desire in his eyes and she knew that he was remembering, too. They might not agree on everything, but neither of them could deny they had chemistry.
“Hey,” she said lightly. “I didn’t figure you for a church-going guy.”
He dug his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans. He had on a dark blue sweater today, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. “I’m not, but as I was walking down the street, I heard a bunch of people talking about the best piano player Angel’s Bay has ever had. They said it was almost as if an angel had come to play music in the church.” He smiled. “I knew it was you.”
“I’m no angel.”
“You told me that the first day we met.” He pulled a leaf out of her hair that must have fallen from the tree above. “I’m not so convinced anymore.”
“I wasn’t sure I’d see you again, after the way things ended last night.”
“We’re still partners.”
“Business allies,” she said. “I know it’s simpler that way.”
“I thought you didn’t have regrets.”
“I don’t. I just…” Her voice trailed away as she realized she didn’t know how to finish the sentence. Her emotions were all over the map where Reid was concerned. “I just want to change the subject. Would that be all right?”
“I’d be eternally grateful.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the relief on his face. “You are such a guy.”
He smiled back at her. “Since we’re on to a new topic, I have some interesting news. I was down on the beach this morning, doing my community cleanup for my bar fight, and I found something interesting in the sand.”
“What’s that?”
“The ship’s bell from the
Gabriella.
”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am, and apparently nothing from that ship has washed ashore for the last hundred and fifty years—until today.”
“Wow. And you were the one to find it. That’s amazing. Almost a miracle!” She laughed at his expression of chagrin. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“There’s nothing magical or miraculous about an old bell that came from a ship that sank offshore.”
“I don’t know about that. It feels a little magical to me, especially with the timing. This weekend is the anniversary of the wreck, the founding of the town, the reappearance of angels that haven’t been seen in a long time. You don’t find it all coincidental?”
He shrugged. “Coincidental perhaps, magical, no, but I might be the only one who sees it that way. The Harlan brothers also witnessed the discovery, and they’re convinced that the angel flurries stirred up the waves and the ocean floor, and sent that bell to the surface. Roger claims the angels want the wreck to be found and that’s why they’ve been flying around the cliffs.”
“That’s quite a theory. Sounds like you have a new twist for your article. So where is the bell now?”
“The chief took it into custody for the time being. I’m going down there later today to photograph it.”
She was surprised at his level of interest, and the odd shadow that flitted through his eyes made her more curious. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He shrugged. “I got a strange feeling when I put my hand on the bell. I felt as if I was on the ship when it shattered against the rocks. I could see the scene, the people scrambling to hang on as the ship tilted precariously, the water rushing over the side…It’s crazy. It was so vivid in my mind.”
“You’re really caught up in this.”
He inclined his head. “I do find it intriguing that
the wreck has never been found. The ship was allegedly carrying a great deal of gold, which has certainly lured many treasure hunters into looking for it, yet, its whereabouts remain a mystery. The ocean has hidden it away somewhere.”
“Or the angels,” she said. “Despite your cynical edge, you’ve tapped into the spiritual energy around here.”
“The angels and the wreck are two separate things.”
“Not according to the people who live here.”
He gave her a thoughtful look. “You’re starting to feel connected to this town, aren’t you?”
“How can I not? If Rose Littleton really was my grandmother, and if Lexie’s birthmark is the same as the one on Baby Gabriella, then both she and I are connected to that child, to that wreck.” She paused. “If I ever get free of Brad, I’d like to spend some time researching it all. But first things first. Did you receive any more information from your private investigator?”
“Not yet, but I did have a disturbing conversation with Joe.”
Her nerves tightened at the mention of the chief. She didn’t care for the turn in conversation or the way Reid called the chief “Joe,” as if they were becoming friends.
“He’s suspicious of you,” Reid continued.
Her heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
“He senses that you’re scared and hiding something. He’s already checked up on you.”
“He told you that?” A wave of panic ran through her, and her breath came short and fast. “I have to go. I have to pack. I have to leave.” She turned her head, searching for Lexie. “Where is she? Where’s Lexie?” She started to move forward, but Reid grabbed her by the arm.
“Whoa, Jenna, calm down.”
“Are you kidding me? If the chief is looking into my background, he’ll find out I’m not Lexie’s mother—if he hasn’t already.”
“He hasn’t,” Reid cut in.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Whatever cover story was set up for you has held true.”
“But for how long? I can’t stay here and wait for him to find out who I am. I can’t take the chance that he won’t discover the truth, won’t call Brad, won’t turn Lexie over to her father.” She tried to pull away from Reid, but he held on tight.