Page 30 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Fletcher chuckled. “Bacon used to be her favorite meal. Of all the things that could make morning sickness worse for her, I can’t believe it’s bacon.”
“She keeps hoping that it’ll pass, and she says when it does, she’s sitting down and eating an entire package all at once.” Dawson waved his hand over his head before yanking open the door and disappearing inside.
Fletcher would be lost without his team. After the mission that had killed Ken, and they’d all agreed they’d had enough, he honestly hadn’t really expected they’d all migrate to his hometown. But damn was he grateful for his brothers-in-arms.
Chapter 8
Fletcher parked his truck and eased from behind the wheel with his mind racing from the morning’s events, and it wasn’t even seven yet. But what really tickled his brain had been Decker’s sudden shift in demeanor and his strange phone call.
Whatever that had been about, it had rattled Decker, and that man had seemed un-rattleable. He’d always seemed to have that slow city-slicker swagger that oozed confidence and arrogance. As if he were untouchable. That had always bothered Fletcher. He could understand confidence. The Navy had given him that in spades. He could tolerate arrogance, but generally only from someone who was a million times smarter than he was, and only in small doses.
But Decker had waltzed into town with a little too much of both, not a drop of humility, and what seemed like now, a few dozen secrets.
Fletcher needed to unravel those.
He rubbed the back of his neck, and the moment he stepped through his side door, he heard the pacing.
Not the rhythmic stroll of someone lost in thought.
No, this was agitated. Rapid-fire steps. The scrape of angry feet on tile. Muttered curses that got more colorful with every loop around his kitchen island.
He set his keys on the entry table and followed the noise into the kitchen.
Baily was in his Navy SEAL hoodie, hair scraped back into a bun that was already starting to fall apart. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes flashing with anger. She didn’t even notice him until he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe.
“I didn’t realize my kitchen came with a treadmill,” he said, trying to make light of whatever…this was.
She froze mid-step, shot him a glare, and held up her phone. “Julie.”
Fletcher’s jaw tightened. “Did she call again? Did you speak with her?”
“She sent me a text. Just a text. No call. No explanation. Just…links.” Baily shoved the phone at him. “The flipping nerve of this woman.”
He took it. Three links to job listings. All corporate positions. All in their parents’ company. One in Delaware. One in Jacksonville. One in freaking California.
“None of these are even close to where she lives,” he muttered.
“Exactly.” Baily threw her hands up. “She spent the last conversation dangling my nephews like bait on a hook. Now she’s implying I can only see them if I sell the marina and move states away? I tried to call her. Straight to voicemail. Then she texts me back, saying, ‘Sorry, busy. I’ll call another day.’ And ends it with—wait for it—‘Go ahead and apply when you’re ready. I’ll make sure you get a good recommendation.’ Who the frack does she think she is?”
Fletcher shook his head. “That’s ice-cold.”
“It’s worse than that,” Baily snapped. “She wants me out of Calusa Cove. And I’m beginning to think she wants my marina. She’s being subtle enough that if I go off, she’ll say I’m overreacting. That she’s simply being helpful. Offering options.”
“Sweetheart, you’re not overreacting.” Fletcher walked over and took her by the shoulders. “But I need you to breathe. You’ve had one hell of a week, and I’m afraid you’re going to burst into flames if you don’t relax a little.”
“I don’t think I know how anymore.” Baily’s voice cracked, just slightly. “I don’t care about the bullshit links. I don’t care about Julie and her squeaky upbeat voice that sounds like a freaking Barbie Doll. But I care about those boys. I care that she’s using them. I care that she’s trying to erase Ken’s life and rewrite it however she wants, even though I can’t stand my brother right now.”
“I know.” He ran his hands down her arms, then pulled her close. “But you are not alone in this. And you’re not the only one who sees it. We’re going to figure this out. And when we do, Julie won’t be able to hide behind those half-truths anymore.”
Baily rested her forehead against his chest. “I’m so damn tired, Fletcher. I suck in a deep breath. And when I do, I feel like it’s half full of water, and I’m drowning.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know. And I wish I could make that go away for you.” He kissed her hair, slow and warm. He wrapped his arms around her fully. Let her soak in the quiet steadiness he knew she needed more than anything.
“I feel like I’ve lost those boys. Lost them forever. She says they miss me, but they’re so young, and I doubt she’s even mentioned me in passing. I’m a long-forgotten memory to Todd and Chad.” Her voice barely carried.
Fletcher’s heart broke into a million pieces. He tilted her face up gently, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Right now, you need to let go of all the noise. Just for a minute.”
He kissed her, soft at first, then deeper as she leaned into him. It wasn’t about passion—it was about comfort. About anchoring her. About letting her know she was loved. Valued. Cherished. That no matter what, she had people in her corner, and they wouldn’t let her down.
