Page 14 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Hayes glanced over. “What’s that?”
“This place is in our blood.” Fletcher tapped his chest. “I might be the only one of us who was born and raised here, but you three have become part of this town. Money might talk, but it’s not what this place was built on.”
Fletcher’s house had emptied slowly, laughter trailing off into the night as the others headed home. Now, the soft hum of cicadas filled the stillness, mingling with the occasional splash of water against the dock pilings. The scent of smoked wood lingered in the air, curling through the open windows and mixing with the citrus tang of the candle burning on the kitchen counter.
Baily stood barefoot near the sink, hands braced on the edge of the countertop. She wore one of Fletcher’s sweatshirts, sleeves pushed up, the hem brushing the tops of her thighs. His clothes always smelled like pine and the Everglades. But more so, they felt like home and reminded her of simpler times.
She tapped her fingers, waiting for her cell to power back up. She desperately needed a new phone. Another thing that would have to wait since she didn’t have the money to drop on one, and the damn things were so expensive.
Finally, her phone buzzed where it rested on the charger, screen lighting up with a new notification. She grabbed it, unplugged the cord, and stared at the voicemail icon.
Her brow furrowed. Her heart hammered in her chest. She gasped.
“What’s wrong?” Fletcher asked as he walked into the kitchen, barefoot, wearing jeans and his favorite rock band T-shirt.
She didn’t look at him at first. Just stood there staring at her phone like it might jump off the counter and eat her for lunch. “There’s a message on here from Julie. I haven’t heard from her since Ken died. Since she told me I couldn’t see the boys, since everything from Calusa Cove was just…too raw. Of course, she then said if I ever left, we could…talk.”
He shouldered in behind her, reaching for the phone and glancing at the screen. “I wonder what she wants.”
Baily sucked in a deep breath. “I’ve wanted to talk to her—left messages for her—but she’s the last person I ever expected to hear from.”
Fletcher crossed to her slowly. “I hope the boys are okay.”
“Oh, God. Don’t put those thoughts in my head.” She grabbed the phone from his fingers and tapped the screen, but didn’t hit play. “It looks like it came in around midnight. So, just twenty minutes ago. My phone only holds a charge for about three hours these days.”
He pressed his lips against her temple. “Don’t bite my head off, but my cell phone carrier has this deal where I can add a second line for next to nothing. We can get you a new one tomorrow if you’d like.”
She turned her head and glared. “It’s not just the monthly bill, Fletcher. It’s the freaking cost of the cell. Do you know how much an iPhone costs these days?”
“I just got a new one,” he said. “And I didn’t trade in my last one, which, honestly, was perfectly fine. You can have that one.”
“Why didn’t you trade it in?” she asked, not wanting to deal with the message from Julie yet.
“Honestly?” Fletcher asked. “I figured I should keep it as a backup in case I dropped mine in the water.”
“You treat your electronics like they're a fine piece of art.” She laughed. “I seriously doubt you’d do that.” She leaned back into his strong frame, enjoying the moment, knowing she probably shouldn’t, but couldn’t stop herself if she tried. He felt too safe. Too much like the old days. Too much like she’d found a small piece of herself she’d forgotten. “I’ll take your old phone,” she whispered. “And I’ll let you put me on your plan.”
He jerked his head back. “Just like that? No argument? And I don’t have to beg or grovel?”
“As much as I like sparring with you sometimes, no. Every penny right now I need for the marina. A cell phone plan isn’t going to put much of a dent in my finances, but it will help.” She reached back and patted his face. “However, you will let me do a few favors in return.”
“I kind of like the sound of that.” He inched to her side, leaning against the counter, and winked.
“Get your head out of the gutter, Fletcher,” she said. “You’re gonna let me help you clean this place out finally.” She lowered her chin. “It’s time.”
He sighed. “Why? I like my house. I like all the things in it.”
“Oh, my God. The wallpaper in this kitchen dates back to the 1970s. The one in your bedroom is worse. And don’t get me going on the furniture. I know it sometimes reminds you of your parents and grandma, and it’s your way of holding on to them, but there are other ways of doing that. So, if I’m gonna let you help me with some of the stuff around the marina, you’re gonna let me help you purge some ghosts. No argument. No sparring. Just a ‘yes, ma’am.’”
He nodded. “Yes…ma’am.”
She smiled.
“Now, how about we listen to that message from Julie?”
“Ugh.” Baily glanced at the cell. Her heart filled with a mix of dread and uncertainty. “Fine.” She pressed the button and held the phone between them.
Julie’s voice filled the room, chipper and clipped all at the same time.
