Page 90 of Ten Beach Road

Giraldi had been out of town for a week after Malcolm’s visit. Even though Nikki knew that Malcolm’s was only one of a number of cases the FBI agent was working, she spent that entire week worrying that Giraldi had listened in on her conversation with Malcolm and then followed Malcolm from Bella Flora. Which meant her brother might already be in custody and his capture not yet announced. Or that Malcolm had eluded Giraldi and his financial fraud squad. Which could mean that the FBI was now waiting to see if she would lead them to her brother so that they’d know once and for all whose side she was really on. As if she knew.

Since his return, Giraldi had helped out two or three times at Bella Flora. She’d also spotted him on the beach, at the concession stand, in line at the grocery store, as she was meant to. Each time they talked he pressed her to work with the FBI and she debated whether to tell him about Malcolm’s visit. She knew she should tell Giraldi about the campground and when Malcolm planned to be there. But she couldn’t seem to do it. Her brother wasn’t the man she’d hoped he’d become or believed him to be, but some small part of her still imagined that if she went there herself she might convince Malcolm to turn himself in before she did it for him. How could she not give her brother that one last chance to do the right thing?

Nicole kept her eyes on the beach ahead. She did not want to look at Joe Giraldi’s naked chest, and she definitely didn’t want to look him in the eye.

“Are you okay?” he asked as they neared the Paradise Grille and her pace began to slow. “You don’t seem quite like yourself.”

“I would have imagined you’d think that was a good thing.” She still couldn’t look at him. Pretending, putting on a show was one thing; lying was another. A distinction she’d apparently not made clear to Malcolm.

“Yeah, it should be,” he said. “But I find myself wondering whether there’s something I can do to help.”

They came to a halt near the path to Beach Road and she bent double, trying to slow and control her breathing. She imagined the relief of telling Giraldi the truth and letting him take over. But could she live with being the one to put Malcolm in jail without giving him a last chance to redeem himself?

Nikki steeled herself to look Giraldi in the eyes, keeping hers as wide and as innocent as she knew how. She couldn’t forget that Giraldi was here to do a job. And that job was not watching out for her—it was watching her.

Avery carried her cup of coffee out to the pool house the next morning, pausing briefly to scan the pass. Right now boat traffic was minimal; the bay and the Gulf appeared smooth and untouched. The fishermen were already out in their favored spots, the recreational boaters hadn’t yet started motoring or sailing toward their destinations. Pelicans dove for their breakfast and perched on the rocks and pilings around the jetty while gulls careened overhead. The air was already warm and heavy. By noon it would feel as if it weighed a ton.

Inside the back half of the former garage, the musty smell had been replaced by the more comforting scents of fresh sawdust and freshly mixed plaster. The newly installed French doors that fronted the pool and the bank of windows overlooking the pass stood open to catch any breeze that stirred.

The main room had been designed as a studio apartment with the living/sleeping space overlooking both the bay and the pool. An L-shaped kitchenette lay on the opposite end with a full bath stubbed in just beyond it.

Chase stood bare-chested in the kitchen area, a measuring tape in one hand and a pencil tucked behind his ear. His chest gleamed with perspiration and his tool belt hung low on his lean hips. He looked up as she entered.

“It works,” she said somewhat grudgingly. “Even keeping the two bays of the garage, it feels okay.” They’d fought for their differing visions for the space with ferocity until Deirdre had finally stepped in and merged what she’d deemed the best of both of their plans. Now Avery ran a hand over one plastered wall. “Umberto’s done a great job matching the texture in the big house.” They walked into the small bath where the toilet and sink were already installed; tomorrow the shower would be tiled. “But I can’t help noticing that Robby’s moving a lot faster on the bathroom out here than he did inside.”

Chase shrugged. “It’s virtually new construction. Less complicated.”

“Right.” She walked around the room, taking it in before coming back to where Chase stood, thrilled to see the space being fleshed out. A new circuit breaker box was up and the wiring under way. The countertop and appliances would go in soon; so would the air-conditioning.

“John Franklin’s really excited about this addition. He says it’ll be a significant asset in marketing the property,” Chase said.

“That’s good news.” They’d been on even more awkward footing since his tirade about her role onHammer and Nailand his take on her disappointing professional life. There was just too much energy in the air when they were near each other, as if someone had added one too many sticks of dynamite and accidentally lit the fuse. “Lord knows we can use all the significant assets we can get.” She felt as if they were standing too close, though a good foot separated them.

He flashed an automatic smile before he caught himself, and she couldn’t help noticing how white his teeth seemed against the tan of his face.

“In a few weeks we should be ready to refinish Bella Flora’s floors,” she said. “I thought we might move in here while we do the work.”

“You want to live in here?” he asked, incredulous. “All five of you?”

No, she didn’t, but there was no room in her budget for a weeklong stay anywhere, not even the Cottage Inn. She and Nicole and Maddie never discussed how broke they were, but Nicole no longer turned up her nose at Madeline’s coupon clipping, though she still steadfastly rejected any hint of a senior citizen discount and hated early bird specials. The only one in the group who might opt for a hotel was Deirdre, and that would be just fine with Avery. “Do I want to stay here?” she said. “No. But I will. And I’m pretty sure the others will, too.”

She blew at a bang that had fallen down over one eye, but it fell right back down. Chase was definitely standing too close, because he didn’t have to move when he reached out with one hand and tucked it behind her ear. They both frowned in surprise at the automatic gesture, but continued to stare into each other’s eyes.

From outside she could hear Nicole and Joe Giraldi arguing about something. There was the whir of a saw from inside the house and an unidentifiable banging, but inside the pool house it was so quiet she could hear Chase’s breathing and what she was afraid might be the beating of her heart.

His blue eyes darkened. If she wasn’t reading this all wrong, he was about to . . . “You’re not going to kiss me, are you?” she asked.

“Of course not,” he said. His voice was gruff. “I was afraid you were going to kiss me.”

“Right.” That was all she could manage around the lump lodged in her throat.

They stood frozen for a long moment, gazes locked, teetering on the verge of . . . she wasn’t sure what. And then although she had no idea who moved first or even that someone had, their lips were locked and his warm, firm lips were moving on hers. His strong male scent filled her nostrils. Her keen awareness of his naked chest lent an added rush and she realized with some surprise that she was kissing him back. Fervently.

“Oh, there you two are!” Deirdre’s voice pierced her consciousness, and they jumped apart like two children caught playing doctor.

Avery felt her face flush with embarrassment. She also felt a rush of irritation at Deirdre’s intrusion. The irritation was nothing new; the twinge of disappointment that accompanied it was.

Deirdre laughed. “If I’ve come at a bad time, I can come back later.”

They both swore. Their gazes collided and Avery saw the same horror she felt etched in Chase’s eyes. They both looked away.

“We were just discussing the space,” Avery said, all too aware how lame that sounded.

“Yes, I could see that.” Deirdre seemed to be smirking. Avery would have liked to see Chase’s expression, but she didn’t want to be caught looking at him.

“What is it?” Chase asked Deirdre. “Did you need something?”

“Actually, I’ve got great news,” Deirdre said and then paused as if waiting for a drum roll. “The presidents of the design and symphony guild are coming for a tour. There’s been a problem with their show house. They may be looking for a last-minute change of location.”

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