No Sunshine When She's Gone (12 page)

“I missed out on the eats.” Dune sounded disappointed. “My wife Sophie worked late on Sunday. She runs the Barefoot William Museum, and was setting up a new exhibit,” he added for Jill’s benefit. “She loves our family’s history. It’s sometimes hard to separate her from the past.”

“She knows the Cateses better than we know ourselves,” admitted Aidan.

Ghost took that moment to nudge Aidan’s hand with his nose. He’d located the rubber ball and wanted to play.

“I’ll toss the ball,” Jill offered.

Aidan passed it to her. She walked away from the men. Ghost bounced after her. Sadie seemed curious, and followed her, too.

The brothers stood off to the side and watched as Jill alternately threw the ball for Ghost to retrieve, then gently rolled it a few feet for Sadie to return. Sadie didn’t tire as quickly as Aidan expected. His pointer loved Jill’s praise and attention.

Aidan wasn’t surprised when Dune pressed him again on Jill’s identity. His brother should’ve been a detective. “Does she have a twin?” Dune tried a second time. “I’m good with faces; I could’ve sworn she was seated with you and Lila.”

“Jill hasn’t mentioned a sister,” Aidan said, “but I haven’t known her that long.”

Dune reached into the side pocket on his athletic shorts, removed his cell phone. He flipped through a series of photos he’d recently snapped. “I took a picture of you getting a reading and sent it to Shaye,” he said, pausing on a picture. “Not a great one—it shows the back of your head. I was hoping I’d gotten Lila and the psychic in the shot, too.”

Thank goodness for bad photos, Aidan thought. “Shaye indicated the event was a success,” he said, trying to change the subject.

“Shaye’s all about building our economy,” Dune said. “She’s always thinking about ways to keep the boardwalk going. I stopped by to see her this morning. We discussed my summer volleyball clinic. I wanted her permission to renovate the abandoned warehouse east of town.”

“Darren Cates’s old feed store?”

Dune nodded. “It’s sat empty for years, ever since he passed away. It’s family property. I’d like to take it over.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Aidan. “Did Shaye agree?”

“Fuckin’ A, she did,” Dune said, trying not to smile.

“Olive.” Aidan immediately knew Dune was imitating Shaye’s parrot. “She overheard Mike the other night.”

“Shaye’s tried to coax the parrot into saying fussy, fuzzy, or fudge instead. It’s not happening.”

Aidan rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll make a point of visiting Olive tomorrow, see if I can help.”

“Be sure to bring Sad along. Olive
loves her to death,
” he quoted the Quaker.

Speaking of his dog, he noticed her energy had now waned. Sadie had chased her last ball. She wobbled over to him, her legs shaky from her exertions. Aidan hunkered down and hugged her. “You are a superdog,” he whispered near her ear. Sadie gave him her crooked smile.

He pushed up and watched along with Dune as Jill continued to play with Ghost. The lady was slim, trim, and quite athletic, he noted. She stood her ground when the Weimaraner jumped up on her then bumped her hip in his excitement. Aidan appreciated the curve and stretch of her body with each throw of the ball. She was damn hot.

The shade from the trees held off the late afternoon sun. Dune glanced at his watch and called to his dog. It was time for them to leave. Ghost ignored him. The Weimaraner had a mind of his own. He took off in the opposite direction. He wasn’t about to leave the park until he’d had his swim. The dog ran into the pond at breakneck speed, splashing those pet owners who stood on the bank.

“He minds well,” Aidan mused.

“At least he doesn’t swear.”

Jill returned, just as Dune was about to retrieve Ghost. “Nice meeting you,” she said to him. “Your dog is a handful.”

“He tires me out,” said Dune. He again stared at Jill, longer than Aidan would’ve liked. Obviously, his brother was still trying to place her.

Aidan would eventually reveal the truth to Dune. He hated the fact he’d lied to his own brother. Jillian Mac was a bad influence on him. He hadn’t thought twice about telling the white lie. It had rolled off his tongue.

“Have a good evening,” Dune said, breaking into a jog and heading toward the pond. “Ghost!” he called. The dog disobeyed him further, swimming deeper into the water. Aidan shook his head when Dune reached the bank and began wading into the pond. He grinned. “My brother is about to get wet.”

He was right. Dune dove in without hesitation. He was a strong swimmer and overtook Ghost’s slower dog paddle. There was no reprimand for Ghost. Dune simply turned him toward shore, and they swam back together. They both sent water flying when they shook off in the grass.

“I like your brother,” Jill said as she watched the two pass through the park gate. Ghost continued to run circles around Dune. He still had energy to burn.

“But you like me more,” Aidan hinted.

“Who said I like you at all?”

“You’ve seen my chest, what’s not to like?”

She laughed at him. “The man has an ego.”

“An ego that’s being shot down.”

It took her a moment to admit, “You’re a good-looking guy, Aidan Cates.”

“So, you’re attracted to me?” Why not ask?

“There’s a big difference between being attracted to someone and acting on the attraction,” she slowly said. “We’ve just met. We’re going to be working together. Relationships tend to complicate matters.”

“I can separate business and bed.” Could she?

“How do you feel about
Little Mermaid
sheets?” she asked.

“You looked good lying on them.”

“I’d always wanted a set,” she said with a sigh. “There were times I slept on a bare mattress as a kid. The sheets were a long-awaited gift to myself.”

“I hear Carrie’s sleeping on Pratesi.”

“You’ve seen Mike, then.”

“Seen and talked to him.” He frowned slightly. “I’m not sure what he’s after.”

“It better not be Carrie.”

“What if it is?” He wanted to be ready for any fallout.

A tiny smile flickered. “I think Ursula and her twin moray eels Flotsam and Jetsam from
The Little Mermaid
could take his flying monkeys.”

Mike had mentioned Jill’s comment at Dreams. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Mike won’t have much free time once we start work on the spring-training facility.”

“The ground-breaking ceremony is the same weekend as the slow-pitch softball game,” said Jill. “James Lawless will be in town then. James, Trace, and you will dig the traditional first scoops of dirt. I’ve ordered Lucite shovels for keepsake gifts. There will be a lot of press.”

He’d never been given a commemorative shovel. He liked the idea. The training complex was about to become his favorite project. He told himself it had nothing to do with the fact that Jillian Mac would be around for the next year. Who was he kidding?

“Do you have plans for the evening?” he asked, hoping to extend their time together. “You’re new in town; you’ve seen the boardwalk shops, but what about the rides and amusements? I’ll even toss in dinner.”

Her eyes brightened. “Junk food?”

“Cheese nachos, chili dogs, cotton candy, candied apples, elephant ears, we’ve got it all.”

There was a moment’s hesitation before she asked, “I’m not taking you away from your girls, am I? Mike said they were arriving today. Shouldn’t you be spending time with them? You don’t have to entertain me.”

His girls?
He would’ve burst out laughing had Jill not looked so serious. Mike had mentioned the women, but not provided an explanation. Aidan rather liked the fact she appeared apprehensive, maybe even a little jealous.

“The ladies are fine,” he assured her. “They’ll be at the construction trailer tomorrow. Stop by and meet them.” He purposely remained evasive. He wondered if she’d drive to the site out of curiosity. He’d have to wait and see.

She nodded then. “The pier sounds great.” Glancing down, she showed concern for Sadie. “What about her?”

“Dogs aren’t allowed near the beach,” he said. “There are no exceptions. Shaye’s gotten after me when I’ve tried to sneak Sadie onto the boardwalk.”

He had an idea, if she’d agree. “Would you mind if Sadie camped at your houseboat? She’s familiar with the Horizon. Shaye kept her overnight a few times when I was called out of town on emergency business.”

“Food, blanket, toys?” Jill wanted Sadie to be comfortable.

Aidan liked Jill more and more. Lila Sims hadn’t been fond of dogs. She’d never petted Sadie. She felt his dog smelled. Like cherry blossoms, Aidan thought. That was her canine shampoo. “I keep kibble in a ziplock in the glove compartment,” he said. “All she needs is a bowl.”

“And water,” Jill added.

Aidan helped Sadie stand. They then took off for the main gate. His hand brushed Jill’s along the way, and it seemed natural to twine his fingers with hers. It was a casual, friendly gesture with only a hint of sexual intent.

The half-heart tattoo on her wedding band finger had him asking, “Tell me about your tat?”

“It represents my open heart,” she said. “I’ll complete the heart when I meet my soul mate and marry.”

The lady was romantic. “What about an actual ring?”

“The tattoo means more to me. It’s permanent.”

He understood. She planned to go the distance when she married. Some lucky guy would grow old with her.

They next drove to the houseboat and got Sadie settled. Jill pulled the cushions from the couch and padded the floor, making a comfy dog bed. Her compassion did it for him. Aidan could fall in love with this woman, given time. Bowls of kibble and water were placed by the coffee table. Sadie was set for the next couple of hours.

“You’re sure she’ll be okay?” Jill asked as they left the Horizon. She’d looked over her shoulder twice.

“She’ll be fine, but will you?” Aidan teased her.

“I’ve never had a pet,” she confessed. “I don’t want her to feel left alone.”

“She won’t,” he assured her. “You get the front seat,” he said once they’d reached his SUV. He held the door for her.

When they arrived at the boardwalk, he parked in the reserved lot with spaces designated for the store owners. He pulled into the spot with a sign for Three Shirts to the Wind. “My cousin Jenna is gone for the day,” he said.

Moments later they were on the boardwalk, headed for the pier. Pole lights came on at dusk. Musicians set the night to dancing. Every kind of music from contemporary to reggae was performed. People stopped to listen. Some clapped, some danced, and the majority of tourists tossed a few dollars into the instrument cases.

Aidan didn’t have many carefree moments. Tonight he relaxed. He spontaneously pulled Jill to him and spun her around, moving to “Jamming” by Bob Marley. The lady had a little island in her. He was fascinated by the way she moved. Jill had rhythm and Jamaican spirit. She turned him on. He became hard. He gave her one last spin, then keeping hold of her hand, he led her toward the pier. There was bounce in her step, but not his. He was stiff-legged.

They passed a magician who turned a small sheet of white paper into a green origami swan. Jill was entranced, and Aidan gave the man a few dollars for the beautifully folded bird. He handed it to Jill; she slipped it in her jeans pocket for safekeeping. She squeezed his hand affectionately.

A few steps farther and she admired a caricaturist. The artist sketched in charcoal. They moved out of the way when two pedicabs approached. The drivers of the three-wheeled rickshaws gave beachside tours, relaying historical and fun facts as they pedaled.

Jill was so busy taking in the action, she bumped into a pirate. She stared, about to apologize, only to realize the man stood still as stone. He was a living statue.

“Human art,” Aidan told her.

“Is he breathing?” she asked, concerned.

Aidan guaranteed that he was. “Theater freeze-frame is a new feature on the boardwalk.”

“The man’s got talent.” She stared in awe. “I’d be shifting and fidgety.”

Polka music from the vintage carousel wafted toward them on the night air. Twinkling white lights reflected across the hand-carved purple and white horses with the amber eyes and gold saddles. Children reached for the brass ring.

The lines were short for the rides. The arcade was nearly empty. The supper hour had passed, and the boardwalk waited patiently for the nighttime crowd. Whether it was a weekday or the weekend didn’t matter. The shops stayed open until midnight. Vacationers were drawn to the neon lights and the entertainments.

Aidan saw his hometown through Jill’s eyes. She was mesmerized. “I feel like a kid,” she said.

So did he. “What would you like to do first?” he asked.

“Let’s go on a few rides before we eat.”

Smart move. It wasn’t wise to ride the scrambler or the swing ride that whipped out over the Gulf on a full stomach. “We can do the miniature scrambler,” he allowed. “I’m too big for the swing ride.” He didn’t fit in the bucket-harnessed chairs. He also weighed too much. The limit was two hundred pounds.

Jill clutched the bar, then his arm on the scrambler. He couldn’t keep his body from sliding into hers. They banged into each with every turn of the car. He feared she’d be bruised. Her grin at the end of the ride expressed only her happiness. She took his hand this time as they walked toward the swing ride. He could feel her excitement vibrating through her body and into him.

He paid for her ticket, then stood by the booth and watched as she took a seat on Wave Swingers. The chairs were suspended from the rotating top of a red-scooped carousel; they tilted for additional variations of motion.

Riders hung on tight as the chairs lifted and began to turn. The spinning accelerated, but Aidan didn’t lose sight of Jill. He met her at the exit when the ride ended. He predicted she’d be light-headed, and she was. She walked toward him, unsteady and wide eyed. He tucked her into his body until she regained her balance.

He liked holding her, he realized. Loose strands had escaped her braid. Her face was flushed. Her breathing was rapid. The rise and fall of her breasts grazed his chest. He felt her nipples pucker. Her belly pressed his groin. His dick was unpredictable. He poked her.