Page 63 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Not that she cared.
She loved him, and she wasn’t going to fight it anymore. She couldn’t figure out why she’d been fighting it so hard for so long. They were meant for each other.
He slipped his hand under her shirt?—
And then came three crisp raps at the side door. They weren’t loud, but they were sharp.
They both froze.
Fletcher cocked his head. “I’m not expecting anyone,” he whispered.
“Neither am I.”
He pushed from the counter and stepped around the island. Baily followed, walking barefoot on the cool wood floor, while snagging her wine glass as she passed it. If she wasn’t going to have her fill of Fletcher, she was going to have her fill of wine.
As Fletcher reached the door and flipped the lock, she caught a glimpse through the side window.
Her breath caught. “No way,” she managed, clutching her chest.
Fletcher cracked the door open, his body angled like a shield. “Julie? What are you doing here?”
Julie Mitchell—if she was still going by her married name—stood on the stoop, a soft pink sundress hugging her frame, blond hair swept into a sleek knot. She looked put together, as she always did. An effortlessly calm, easy, and graceful, as if she were meant to line the pages of Better Homes and Gardens or something.
Hard to believe she was the daughter of a ruthless criminal. A killer. Well, perhaps her father hadn’t actually done the murdering, but he hadn’t had any trouble sending a man to sit in a tree and take aim at Fletcher.
Baily took that personally.
“Hi,” Julie said, with that same rehearsed smile Baily had grown to loathe. “Sorry to drop by unannounced.”
Fletcher didn’t open the door further. “I’m shocked you’re even in town.”
Julie glanced past him and locked eyes with Baily. “I was in Orlando with the boys—took them to Disney. Figured while they stayed with their grandparents for a couple of days, I’d take a little solo trip. Clear my head. And, well…talk to Baily. I see she’s here. Mind if she and I chat for a moment alone?”
Fletcher glanced over his shoulder.
“It’s fine,” Baily said, with a nod. “Let her in, but alone isn’t happening. This is Fletcher’s home, so he stays.”
“Maybe we can go somewhere else and grab a glass of wine for old time’s sake.” Julie stepped inside like she belonged there. Her gaze scanned the kitchen, noting the wine, the snacks, the casual intimacy. She blinked slowly. “I was a little surprised to see the two of you…in a lip lock. I thought those days were over. I mean, the last time we spoke of you and Fletcher, you told me you’d get back with him over your dead body.”
Baily folded her arms. “What do you want, Julie?”
“I thought we could talk.” Julie looked between them, feigning innocence. “I didn’t realize the old family house was… sold. I stopped by, and well, let’s just say me and the new tenants were a little shocked.”
“Oh, come on.” Baily’s voice rose. “You knew I sold it. We talked about it, and it became one of those things you used as one more reason why I should sell the marina after Ken died.”
Julie gave her that wounded look she used to give when Baily would dig her heels in about something Ken didn’t approve of. “I knew it was on the market. But I didn’t think you’d actually go through with the sale. It was your family home, and you were always going on about family legacies and such.”
“I had no choice,” Baily snapped, frustration bubbling from her gut.
Fletcher stepped closer, brushing her hand lightly. A silent cue for her to remain calm…steady. But her anger flared. It burst to the surface like a rocket hurling through the clouds.
Julie’s gaze landed on him, then lingered. “So, this is real? You two…back together?”
Baily didn’t flinch. “It has always been real. We just needed some time and space.”
Julie gave a slow nod. “I see.” She shifted her purse on her shoulder. “Oh, what’s this?” She ran her fingers over the yearbook on the table. “Are we going through things from the past? Anything in here from Ken? I’d love some things from his childhood.”
“Those are all my things,” Fletcher said, stepping between her and the table. “Nothing there that would’ve been Ken’s or interest you at all.”
