The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans - Christian Romantic Suspense) (11 page)

Devynne pictured the haughtily elegant Mrs. Johnson emerging from the restroom to find the golden cougar pacing in front of the door. She could almost hear the woman gasp in derision. A giggle did escape then and Carcen’s head pivoted towards her.

He cocked one eyebrow and then his blue eyes narrowed. In three swift strides he stood before her, taking in her bone-chewing-dog expression. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Do you mean to tell me you’ve been standing here enjoying my misery?”

Devynne bit back her grin, but felt sure he would recognize the merriment dancing in her eyes. She nodded.

He was plainly irritated by her obvious enjoyment of his little predicament, but grinned at her nonetheless. “Do you know how I felt when Mrs. Jacobs just walked by?” He held up a finger and thumb about an inch apart.

Devynne smiled wide and leaned towards him, gesturing to the bathroom door and whispering conspiratorially, “Mrs.
Johnson
is in there.”

His eyes widened and with a horrified shudder he took another swift step away from the door as though the portal itself might lunge out and gobble him up. “And you were just going to stand here and watch?” His tone was incredulous.

Devynne stuck out her lower lip, pretending to be deep in thought, and then nodded with a grin.

“What did I ever do to you?”

She giggled. “Here I go, oh great and mighty Sheriff Lang – into the restroom to rescue you from little ol’ Mrs. Johnson.”

His derisive snort ushered her into the room.

When she came back out with Marissa he was waiting for them by the sanctuary doors, but standing next to him in animated conversation was Mrs. Abernathy’s son, Stephan.

A chill raced down Devynne’s spine. Marissa ran and jumped into Carcen’s arms before she could stop her.

Carcen met her gaze, his eyebrows raising slightly.

Devynne willed away the trembling in her legs as she slowly approached.

“Dev, I think you know Stephan Abernathy? He was just saying how you bear a little resemblance to that actress from
Surf Justice.
” He glanced at Stephan.

Stephan gazed at her like a puppy expecting a treat, and breathed out, “Shania Hane.”

Devynne smoothed her hands over her skirt and pulled all her acting ability to the fore.
Be calm. He’s just a kid who had a crush.
She forced a grin. “Yes. He mentioned her the other day. Hello again, Stephan.”

“H-hi.”

She searched for something to fill the awkward silence. “I must admit, I’m flattered. I always enjoyed her movies.”

Carcen settled Marissa against one hip and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders. “You’re much prettier than she was, though.”

She felt her face heat despite the fact that she knew he was only filling for her but it was the glower Stephan cast Carcen’s way that set her heart to racing.

The opening worship music floated out from the sanctuary.

“Well, I guess we should all find our seats.” Carcen turned his back on the young man and ushered her toward the double doors with gentle pressure against her waist. Over his shoulder he said, “It was nice chatting with you Stephan. Catch you later.”

“Bye.” Was that a hint of anger in his tone?

Devynne collapsed into the very first empty pew she saw and clasped her trembling hands in her lap. Carcen eased in beside her, settling Marissa between them and giving her pen and paper. Stretching his arm across the back of the pew, he squeezed her shoulder softly and nodded his assurance. “It’s all good, Dev. Just a kid with a crush on a beautiful woman.”

His thumb stroked across the top of her shoulder sending waves of awareness through her. She shifted away from him and forced a smile of acknowledgment refusing to linger on the fact that he’d complimented her looks twice in the last five minutes. “Yes. I’m sure you’re right.”

The service began so there was no more time to talk, but just before they began to sing, Mrs. Johnson stepped through the doors and sashayed down the aisle to join her husband.

Carcen caught Devynne’s eye and shuddered.

It was all Devynne could do to keep a burst of laughter from escaping. And she appreciated his attempt to get her mind off of Stephan Abernathy.

He folded his arms, feet planted firmly against the floor. Maybe he should have located himself someplace where he didn’t have such a good view of her sitting there next to Lang like they were the perfect little family. He could already hear the pounding of his pulse in his ears. He forced a calming breath and purposely relaxed his clenched fists.

Carcen leaned over the child’s head and said something in Shania’s ear and she smiled that famous smile at him.

He snapped his teeth together. The pew, cold and rock-hard, only added to his agitation. Why couldn’t they come up with something comfortable to sit on in these places?

He scanned the Sunday morning crowd. How was it that not one of these people recognized her? None of them were worthy to even be in the same room breathing the same air as her!

He could see some of the smooth ivory of Shania’s cheek as she tilted her head and listened intently to the preacher’s ramblings. What kept her here? She should have gone back to Hollywood by now. He’d eliminated every tie that bound her to this God-forsaken island. His gaze skimmed the top of the little head barely visible above the back of the pew. Well…every tie except that one. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to sever that tie – yet.

Surely she would decide to go back soon. Every day for the past four years, he’d told himself it would be any day. And then his plan could resume.

But she seemed content in her sham. Content to languish here with her youth and beauty slipping away hour by hour. Content to rub shoulders with the little people. People like Lang.

He only wanted to free her from that. She could go back and resume her rightful place as an American heart-throb. And he would be by her side. Supporting her and cheering her on to greatness. It was nothing less than she deserved.

At the end of the service as they made their way towards the back of the church, Carcen spoke. “Mom and Dad and I are going out to Chinese for lunch. Care to join us?”

Devynne rested a hand on Marissa’s head in thought.

“Pwease, Mama?”

“I don’t know.” She turned towards Carcen. “I should just go home. Marissa will need a nap before church tonight.” Not to mention the cost.

“You sure? It will be my treat. It’s the least I could do after you came to my rescue so
graciously
this morning.” His words dripped sarcasm, but he belied the venom with a wink.

Devynne chuckled. “Like you came to my rescue with your friend Randy?” She didn’t bring up the fact that he
had
come to her rescue with Stephan. That would ruin all the fun.

Carcen placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the groups of people chatting in the aisles. “Randy paid me a hundred dollars to give him two minutes alone with you.” She darted him a startled glance and he laughed outright. “Just kidding! Randy is a super nice guy. There is a little word called ‘no.’And I, of all people, know how good you are at using it.” She rolled her eyes and he grinned. “So, what about lunch?”

Devynne looked at Marissa still debating.

“Pwease, Mama?”

“Alright, but when we get home you have to be a really good girl and go right to sleep, OK?”

“A’wight!”

“Hey Rissa, what do you know? Maybe your Mama isn’t as well versed in using that nasty little word as she used to be.”

Marissa skipped ahead, blissfully unaware of the teasing barb in her uncle’s tone, but Devynne narrowed her eyes and elbowed Carcen in the ribs for good measure. Choosing not to reply to his remark, she smiled instead at Mrs. Jacobs, who hurried purposefully towards them.

“Rissa honey, wait a minute I think Mrs. Jacobs wants to talk to me.”

“Devynne, I’m glad I caught you,” the petite lady puffed. “There will be a new Sunday school teacher in Marissa’s class next week, and I wondered if I might talk you into volunteering to help out every other week? The class is quite large, as you know, and Melody Marsten has volunteered her time for the other alternating weeks.”

Carcen opened his mouth to say something but Mrs. Jacobs hurried on, speaking to Devynne. “It would mean so much to me if I could count on you.”

“Sure, I don’t see why not,” Devynne agreed. “I think that would be fun. I’ll look forward to it.”

Carcen’s mouth opened and shut like a fish out of water, as though he had something he thought he ought to mention but couldn’t decide whether or not to do so.

“Fine, dear. I’m sure the teacher will appreciate the help. If you could start next week then, I’ll tell Melody she can take the week following.”

Devynne nodded. And with a wink in Carcen’s direction, the diminutive pastor’s wife hurried off on another errand.

Surprised, Devynne angled a glance at Carcen. “Did she just
wink
at you?”

Carcen stared after Mrs. Jacobs’ gray head as it bobbed through the crowd, a strange twinkle gleaming in his eyes. But all he said was, “Yes, I believe she did.”

“Hi Grandma! Hi Grandpa!” Marissa’s greeting drew Devynne’s attention to the fact that Jackie and Lamar had joined them and Devynne turned to greet them.

“Hi.”

“Hi Mom, Dad. Devynne and Squirt here,” Carcen ruffled Marissa’s hair, “are coming to lunch with us.”

“Good!” Jackie hugged Devynne. “It’s been too long since you joined us for our after-church lunches.”

Agreeing to meet at the restaurant, they all headed out to the parking lot.

The sun shone blindingly, heat waves dancing off the pavement, as Devynne walked towards her car with Marissa in tow. The day couldn’t be more perfect. Small wisps of silken clouds graced the sky, doing nothing to block the warming rays of the sun. After the air-conditioned interior of the church, the warmth felt good for a minute. She pulled her sunglasses from her purse and fleetingly realized that she felt a bit bereft without Carcen at her side. She shrugged off the emotion. They had been together a lot lately. It was only natural—
Devynne stop it! Just don’t think about how nice it has been to have someone to, share with, lean on— Oh
! “What did you learn in Sunday school today honey?”

Marissa gave her an odd look but answered, “Moses and the big boat! It had lots an’ lots o’ amminals on it!”

“Noah, honey.
Noah
and the ark and the
animals
.”

“Yeah. Noah. Noah and the amminals.”

Devynne smiled, deciding to let the mistake pass. They walked on in silence and Devynne listened intently to the beautiful sounds of the summer day. A bee lumbered by, laden down with pollen, its legs yellow and fluffy. Birds twittering in the top of the tree next to Devynne’s parking space brought her gaze upwards. The sun blinded her and she grimaced even as she thought about how much Kent had loved days like this.

With a sigh she slipped her key into the lock.

But just as she was about to climb behind the wheel Carcen spoke from behind her. “I got to thinking, why don’t I drive you over? Since I’m still in your guest house I can bring you back again tonight for church. My truck can stay here till then.”

Devynne turned towards him. Her eyes hadn’t quite recovered from the dazzling sun. And a shadow from the tree fell on Carcen, darkening his blond hair and blue eyes – for one split second Kent stood before her.

She blinked in shock and jerked back, bumping into the open car door.

Carcen stepped towards her, a slight frown on his brow. “Devynne?”

She laid a calming hand over her heart and forced a breath.

“Mama!” From her side of the car, Marissa knocked loudly on her door. “Let me in, Mama.”

Carcen’s heart hammered as though a cannon ball was bouncing around in his chest. Reaching out he touched her cheek. Relief flooded him. She didn’t seem too terribly cold or hot.

“Devynne? Hey, what’s going on?”

Her brow furrowed. “Carcen?”

Bang. Bang. Bang
. “Mama!”

“Here.” Carcen, bent down, leaning across the interior of the car to open the passenger door. “Rissa honey, I want you to get in and get your seatbelt clicked okay? Uncle Carcen’s going to drive you and Mama to the restaurant.”