Page 11 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
Audra slipped off the stool and wrapped her arms around Baily. “You are doing it,” Audra said. “But there’s no shame in accepting help from those who love you. Especially in what matters—and especially after what happened this morning.”
“I know,” Baily whispered. “I’m not fighting Fletcher…too hard. I need help, but I can’t bury him in debt either.”
The kitchen fell quiet for a beat, then Chloe stood. “Let’s go. The guys are outside, probably ruining a perfectly good fire without us and terrorizing my sister in the process.”
They stepped out onto the back deck, carrying all the food they’d prepared, the scent of burning cedar curling in the air. Fletcher and Keaton stood near the fire pit, beers in hand. Hayes poked at the flames with a long stick, like he was testing fate.
Fedora, Chloe’s half-sister, waved as she walked toward the group, cheeks flushed from laughter. Baily caught Chloe watching her, a soft smile tugging at her mouth.
“How are things going with you and Fedora?” Baily asked softly.
“Not as awkward as I thought they’d be. We’ve settled into a nice relationship. More friends than sisters, but we have a closeness that can’t be explained. I like it.” Chloe smiled. It was the kind of smile that softened the heart. “Fedora’s wedding is coming up fast. Hayes is walking her down the aisle and panicking like she asked him to deliver a eulogy.”
“Well,” Audra said, flopping into a chair beside the fire. “He did use to date her mom.”
“Oh, that part is not being discussed,” Chloe said with mock horror. “I like Betsy, and I’m not jealous. At least not of her. Or of their past. But they do have a bond, and I have boundaries.”
Everyone laughed.
Fletcher glanced over his shoulder and stepped away from the fire pit, inching closer. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing okay,” Baily said. “The morning was a little slow, but Silas, bless his soul, once he heard I had gas, he told everyone. A few boats even turned around, coming to me instead of going to the competition.” She laughed. “I think he told them I was cheaper.”
“Silas has always gotten a bad rap in this town, but he’s a good man.” Fletcher nodded.
“So are you,” she said barely above the crackle of the fire. “I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time earlier. It’s hard for me to accept help. My dad raised me to be independent. Lately…no, ever since he died…I feel like a failure.”
“Baily, you’re the complete opposite.” He wrapped his strong arms around her waist and tugged her gently to his chest.
She didn’t pull away. She’d grown tired of fighting of him. Of fighting this thing between them. Of fighting what had always been between them. She’d loved him since she was a teenager. That love had never died. Not even when she’d blamed him for…everything that had gone wrong in her life.
“Thank you for calling Kirk and arranging for a rush delivery—and for paying it.” She pressed her hand on the center of his chest. “I will pay you back when I get out from under this mess.”
“The only payback I need is for that marina to stay yours.” He pressed his lips against her mouth in a soft, gentle kiss that lasted only a second. “But I won’t insult or offend you by telling you that you can’t. Just know I don’t expect it anytime soon. Other bills are more important. Other things need to be handled first.” He arched a brow. “And please don’t tell me and the boys we can’t offer assistance anymore. Things changed the second someone stole five thousand gallons of gas.”
“I can live with that as long as it’s not more than what I need to stay afloat.”
“Deal.” He smiled.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Do you think maybe it might be a good idea to try Julie again? Possibly ask her questions about Tripp’s entries, without her knowing anything about the journal?” she asked.
“Dawson and I’ve chatted about that.” Fletcher shifted, taking her hand, tugging her toward the fire. “But first, we’d have to get her to answer the phone, and she hasn’t, not for any of us. And second, we’d need to find a way to formulate those questions in a manner that would elicit meaningful responses. The problem with that is we don’t know what we’re looking for outside of what Ken knew about the loan, if anything. Why the bad investment advice? And why was it so important for you to sell, because Ken just wanting you not to have to deal with it because he all of a sudden decided it was no place for a woman, well, that doesn’t track.”
“Not to mention, would she even be honest about any of it?” she said.
“And there’s that, too.”
The distant hum of an outboard motor cut through the chatter. All heads turned toward the water as Silas guided his skiff toward the dock, his expression tight. He waved his hand wildly over his head. “Hey,” he called.
“Wonder what he wants,” Fletcher murmured, already moving toward the edge of the dock. “He’s been edgy, moody, or really quiet lately.”
Silas climbed out, his gaze scanning the group. “Sorry to crash your night. Just needed to talk.”
“You okay?” Baily asked. She’d known Silas her entire life. He’d been like this grumpy old favorite uncle. Quirky, a little left of normal, but he came in with smiles, hugs, and the best campfire stories.
