B00CZBQ63C EBOK (9 page)

He stared after her, as lost as a boat drifting in the fog.

Laurie hurried toward home, climbing the steep hill on Cherry Lane. Somehow she would need to cook dinner for her father and still find enough time to slip out and warn Johnny before he left for the evening. As she approached Amelia’s house, she spotted Johnny’s car. She sucked in a quick breath, her steps growing lighter.

Amelia sat under the cherry tree in her parent’s front yard—Johnny stretched out on his back, snoring. She jumped to her feet as Laurie approached. Rolling her eyes at Johnny, Amelia paced across the yard to her friend. “Laurie, I’m so glad you’re here.” Her lip trembled as she spoke. “We were supposed to go on a picnic over at Lincoln Park, but then he called and said he didn’t have enough time. Mother suggested I invite him here, and now look!” She turned back to glare at the sleeping figure.

Laurie’s heart went out to her friend. “He’s been working late.”

“I know. I know.” She sighed. “And he told me that he’s been pulling double shifts, too.” She ran her hand along the whitewashed fence. “I don’t understand why he has to work so hard. Other men at the mill don’t put in nearly so many hours.”

She beckoned to Laurie. “Come join us. I’m sick of sitting here watching him sleep. I’ve already eaten most of the cookies.”

Laurie sank down onto the shady ground under the wide, spreading branches of the old tree. Clumps of green cherries stood out among the leaves, waiting for a few more weeks of sunshine to make them rosy red. As Amelia accosted her with a steady stream of chatter, Laurie let the anxieties of the day ease from her back and shoulders. Amelia’s home and yard had always been her haven, even as a child.

Her thoughts traveled to the image of Samuel Brown, smiling at her from the stool at Larson’s, his knee brushing against hers under the counter. Unbidden, the image of Daniel Shepherd standing on the sidewalk offering her the headache remedy, rose to her mind.
“I was concerned for you. I don’t think Mr. Brown is who you think he is.”

“So tell me about him.” Amelia popped a strawberry into her mouth.

“What? Who?” Amelia’s question dragged her back into the conversation.

Her friend’s eyebrows puckered. “Honestly, Laurie, you and Johnny are cut from the same cloth. Haven’t you heard a word I said?”

Laurie scrambled to remember what her friend had been saying, the words escaping like smoke dissipating in the fresh air. “I’m sorry. I had a rough day at work. Tell me again.”

Amelia frowned. “Everyone’s working but me. Daddy won’t let me work and so I’m trapped all day with no one to talk to. Then when you all get home, you’re too tired to carry on a decent conversation.” She hugged her knees. “I was talking about Samuel Brown. Marcie says she’s seen you at the soda fountain
twice
with him and that you were quite friendly with him the second time. I guess my prayers are paying off.” She drew her lips down. “So, when were you going to tell me?”

Laurie shrugged out of her sweater, the air suddenly feeling uncomfortably warm. “There’s not much to tell. We ran into each other there one afternoon and he offered to buy me a soda. It seemed impolite to refuse.”

Amelia’s face brightened. She scooted closer. “And then?”

Laurie glanced over at Johnny to make sure he was still sleeping. “I saw him over by the courthouse and he asked to see me again.” A smile tugged at her mouth. She couldn’t deny that the agent’s interest was flattering.

“I knew it.” Amelia clasped her hands over her heart. “He’s such a good looking fellow.” She shot a guilty look at Johnny. “Well, not nearly as good looking as your brother, of course.”

“Of course,” Laurie echoed. Both women held hands over their mouths to quell their giggles.

“What’s he like?”

Laurie folded her sweater on her lap and fiddled with its buttons. “He’s very nice. He tells the most exciting stories about his job. And he likes being outdoors. That’s why he asked to be transferred up here from Seattle.” She avoided any mention of his roving hand.

Amelia scrunched her nose. “Imagine, someone wanting to come to Port Angeles.” She took another berry from the glass dish at her side. “But that’s perfect for you, Laurie. You always did like to be out in the woods and down at the beach and such.” Her eyes brightened. “You should take
him
on a picnic.” She sniffed, casting a glance at Johnny. “I bet he wouldn’t fall asleep.”

Another giggle tickled at Laurie’s chest. “No, I suppose he wouldn’t. That’s a good idea.”

Amelia sat up taller. “We could all go! Let’s plan it for a time when Johnny’s not working. We’ll go out to the beach. The weather is getting so nice. Just think how much fun it would be!”

Laurie’s stomach tightened. A double date with her brother—fun? Unlikely. “Not yet. I barely know Samuel. I need more time before I introduce him to my family. Johnny can be so protective.”

Amelia slid back down to the blanket. “Of course. You’re right.” Her face fell. “But before the summer is out, okay?”

Laurie nodded, but her heart sunk low in her chest. Lying to Samuel Brown was one thing. Lying to her best friend was completely different.

When Amelia excused herself, Laurie poked Johnny in the shoulder.

“Uh, wha’?” he mumbled, squinting at the dappled light coming through the leaves.

“Wake up. I need to talk to you before Amelia gets back.” Laurie jabbed him a second time.

Johnny didn’t bother to rise, just cupped a hand over his eyes to block the sun. “What is it?”

“Don’t go to Canada tonight.”

He pushed up to his elbows, his gaze skirting the yard. “Why?”

“They’re going to be watching the beach and a Coast Guard ship will be waiting in the bay.”

Lines appeared on his forehead. “I thought I told you—”

“If you go to tonight, they’re going to catch you and put you in jail. I know what I’m talking about.”

Johnny sat all the way up and rubbed his face. “How do you know? Did
Samuel
tell you that?”

“I overheard him talking on the phone while I was at the switchboard.”

He grabbed his cap and twisted it in his hands. “I thought you said you could get fired for that.”

She glanced back at the house to double-check that Amelia hadn’t reappeared. “I thought it might be important.”

He blew out a large breath, the air whistling between his teeth. “I don’t like you taking those kinds of risks.”

Heat scorched through her veins. “Like you’re anyone to talk.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “All right, all right.” He sat silent for a long moment before dropping his cap on the blanket. “Did Brown say which beach he was watching?”

“Crescent Beach.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Gotcha.”

Cold fingers tickled at her spine. “Johnny—”

“I won’t be anywhere near Crescent Beach. You got my word on that.”

Chapter
14

D
aniel fumed as he mopped the floor behind the soda counter. I
don’t want anything to do with people like you.
The packet bumped against his leg as he worked. It was ridiculous for her to keep using those old headache powders when the new formulation worked so much better.

Hadn’t he seen another prescription in the back room with the Burke name on it?

Daniel stowed the mop and closed the store for the evening. He walked to the back room, unlocked the cabinet and looked over the prescriptions waiting for pickup.

Burke, Raymond. 154 Laurel Street.

Daniel lifted the flask-shaped bottle and rolled it between his fingers. The dark glass obscured the liquid within. “
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face . . .”
The verse floated from the murky depths of his memories.

Daniel ran a thumb across the cap, a cold sweat washing over him. His throat clenched.
Doesn’t this ever go away, God?
He slipped the bottle and the headache remedy in a bag and dropped them in his pocket.

Maybe some answers could be found on Laurel Street.

Twenty minutes later, Daniel maneuvered his Buick out of the alley to Front Street, remembering his days of playing cops and robbers in the old tunnels below the sidewalks. The passages remained a testimony to the city’s forgotten past, before the downtown was raised to prevent flooding

The automobile’s engine labored up the steep hill. Newer homes lined the best view locations on Cherry Hill, quite a difference from the Hollywood Beach neighborhood where Johnny lived. He turned onto Laurel Street, where a dense grove of oak trees obscured a line of tiny houses.

Daniel pulled the brown bottle from its paper wrapper and checked the house number. The Burke house sat back from the muddy road, in the shade of a spreading maple tree. Only weeds grew in the dim shadows under the giant tree. An old screen door hung crooked on its hinges. The aging Model T sat parked beside the small home.

Daniel shut off the engine as sweat broke out between his shoulders
.
Taking a deep breath, he got out of the car and closed the door behind him.
It’s just a delivery.
Hopefully she wouldn’t throw it in his face, again. He swallowed hard and walked up the steps to the front door, clutching the package in front of him.

A short, stocky man with a two-day growth of whiskers answered the door. “We don’t want any.”

Daniel took a step back. “Any what?”

“Whatever it is that you’re selling.”

“Actually”—Daniel lifted the package—“I have a delivery for you from Larson’s Drugs.”

The man’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s a different story, then.” He opened the door wider. “You ain’t Larson.”

“I’m Daniel Shepherd—his grandson. Are you Mr. Raymond Burke?”

The man stuck out his hand. “Yeah, yeah. Call me Ray. No one calls me Mister. Never took to it.”

Daniel grasped Ray’s hand and shook it. The man’s eyes were red, like he’d been sleeping, and his hand left a hint of moisture on Daniel’s palm. “I’ve met your son and daughter, Mr. Burke. But I haven’t seen you around town.”

Ray took the bag that Daniel offered him. “Well, I work over at the Crown Z Mill. I don’t make it into town much otherwise. Laurie works downtown, so she usually picks up what we need.”

“I’ve seen several of these prescriptions come through for you lately. I hope there’s nothing seriously wrong.” Daniel chose his words carefully.

Laurie’s father shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Well, I hurt my shoulder awhile back at the mill. This eases the muscles and helps me sleep.”

Daniel nodded. “We have some other options, you know. I could have a chat with your doctor. Pierce, isn’t it?”

The man wiped a quick hand across his nose. “I’ve tried some of those other ‘options’ as you call them. This works fine. I’m careful, though. Wouldn’t want to drink too much of it, you know.” A wry grin lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I understand.”
Too well.
“Your daughter mentioned she’s been having headaches. I put in a sample of a headache remedy I think she ought to try. No charge.”

Ray’s brows pulled together. “Laurie? Headaches? First I’ve heard of it.” He ran a hand over his bristly chin. “Yeah, well her mother always used to have those, too. I guess it makes sense.” He nodded to Daniel. “Free sample you say? Well, I’ll give it to Laurie when she gets home.”

Daniel edged backward, balancing on the edge of the stoop. “I’d better be going. Have a nice evening, Mr. Burke.”

“Thank you. It’s mighty kind of you to run this out to me. It will save Laurie a trip to town in the morning.” The older man clutched the package to his belly.

Daniel turned and headed down the steps.

Laurie Burke stood at the gate, her eyes like giant blue sapphires in the center of a ghost-white face.

Chapter
15

W
h-what are you doing here?” The woman’s pasty-white
complexion caused a lump to form in Daniel’s throat.

Daniel pasted on a smile. “Miss Burke, it’s good to see you again so soon. I’m just making a delivery. You rushed off so quickly this afternoon, you didn’t pick up your prescription.” He gestured toward the door. “I thought your father might be in need of it.”

Ray Burke stood watching, framed in the doorway.

“You can go now.” She pushed through the gate and held it for him.

Laurie”—her father stepped out onto the porch—“what are you being so rude for? Mr. Shepherd drove all this way to deliver my medicine and threw in something extra for you, too.”

“Something extra?” Her eyes locked on Daniel. “I thought I said . . . ” She glanced up at her father, her words faltering. She looked back at Daniel. “I apologize, Mr. Shepherd. It’s been a long day. I must have left my manners back at the switchboard office.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you for the delivery, unnecessary though it was. I planned on returning in the morning.”

Daniel felt his temperature rising. Was there no way to impress this woman? He stepped past her through the gate. Turning, he lowered his voice for her ears. “Well, if you do decide to still come to town in the morning, you’ll be pleased to know that I have the day off. I’m going to do a little fishing.”

She raised a brow. “Is that what they call it now?”

Ray Burke left the porch and came toward them. “Laurie was just gonna warm up some stew for supper. There’s plenty, if you’d like to join us, Mr. Shepherd.”

Laurie gasped, her hand fluttering to her chest. “Dad, I’m sure Mr. Shepherd has better things to do.”

Her father turned toward him. “Do you?”

Laurie’s blue eyes rounded, her lips drawing back from even, white teeth.

For a moment he considered walking away, just to ease her apprehension. He steeled himself. “No, I really don’t have anything else to do. Thank you, Mr. Burke. I’d be honored.”

No, no, no, no, no.
This couldn’t be happening. Laurie followed her father and Daniel Shepherd through the front door into their dilapidated house. She hadn’t even invited Amelia over in the past four years, always finding some excuse to meet her elsewhere. She didn’t want anyone in her house—or close to her father.

And Daniel Shepherd, of all people?

She glanced around their bare walls, seeing cobwebs she’d left undisturbed and the afghan lying crumpled on the floor next to her father’s chair. A stack of papers, including her sketchbook, cluttered the kitchen table and the breakfast dishes still soaked in the sink. Her stomach churned.

She pushed past the two men and retrieved the blanket from the floor, shaking it gently and draping it across the back of the sofa. “Please, sit down, Mr. Shepherd.”

“Only if you call me Daniel.” He smiled, a dimple showing in his left cheek.

For a brief moment, she was back on that windswept bluff. That smile could make a girl forget the man was a rumrunner.

She nodded. “Laurie. You can call me Laurie.”

Her father sank into his chair with a grunt. “I’m Ray. As I said before, I never liked being called ‘Mister’ anything. Never took much to those kinds of manners. We’re plain, simple folk, Daniel. That’s how the Good Lord made us and that’s how we’re going to stay.”

Laurie’s gaze swept across the untidy kitchen.
Simple is right. That’s exactly how we must look, too.

The springs of the sofa squeaked as Daniel sat down. He and Dad chatted while she gathered her sketchbook and the other papers from the table and moved them to a nearby footstool. After setting the stew to bubbling on the stove, Laurie snatched up a dishcloth and made quick work of the tabletop and counter.

She retrieved the bread from the breadbox and popped it into the oven to warm. Opening the cupboard, Laurie frowned at the odd collection of mismatched plates and bowls. She located three that almost matched and arranged them on the table. Pulling open the bottom drawer, she considered their stash of stained napkins, digging to the back for the ones her mother had reserved for special occasions. They hadn’t strayed from the drawer for years—not since Laurie last used them as tablecloths for her dolls.

Laurie’s attention kept darting back to her father, bitterness simmering in her stomach like the stew on the stovetop. He appeared comfortable and relaxed, chuckling at something their guest said. She ran a hand over the waves in her hair, wishing she had time to go to her room and check them.

Instead, she turned back to the pot. The stew bubbled merrily, filling the small kitchen with a rich fragrance. She wetted a second dishcloth and discreetly pressed it against her face and neck to calm her frazzled nerves.

By the time she finally called the men to dinner, she had filled the table with good food. Besides the stew and bread, she had butter and some of Mrs. White’s homemade jam and applesauce, candied carrots, and salad greens from the garden. She silently thanked Amelia for sending home half of the strawberry pie from her failed picnic with Johnny.

As Daniel walked toward the table, he stopped and stared at the footstool where her sketchbook still lay open to the drawing of the bluff over Crescent Beach. He glanced at Laurie with questions in his eyes.

Dad noticed his interest. “Laurie’s quite an artist, isn’t she? She must have picked that up from her mother. She certainly didn’t get it from me.” He pulled out his chair and waited as Daniel joined them.

The two men set down while Laurie added the last dishes to the table. She slipped into her seat just as her father bowed his head.

“For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.”

“Amen,” Laurie and Daniel echoed softly, in unison.

She looked up at Daniel, his smile warming her heart for a brief moment before she pulled her eyes away.

Laurie ladled the stew into bowls and passed them around the table.

Daniel leaned over his bowl and took a deep whiff. “This smells amazing. I can’t wait to try it.”

“Don’t wait, man. Dig in.” Her father buttered his bread and took a big mouthful.

Daniel lifted his spoon, taking a small sip of the stew, a smile spreading across his face. “Wonderful.”

Laurie’s heart quickened, her cheeks warming. Her stomach had been growling on the walk home, but now it took all her strength to manage a small sip of iced tea.

Her father dipped his bread into the stew, wiping it along the lip of the bowl before bringing it up to his mouth. “My girl’s a good cook, isn’t she?”

“Yes, sir. The stew is delicious.”

“So, you’re helping Miles with the store?”

Daniel nodded. “I used to work for him back in high school, but I left for the University and haven’t been back much since.”

Laurie spun the spoon around the bowl, watching the carrots pirouette in the dark broth. “What brings you back?”

“I hadn’t really planned on coming back. I was working at
a pharmacy in Seattle. But when I got Granddad’s letter . . .
” A tiny crease formed between his brows. “I knew I couldn’t just tell him, ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’ I owe him so much. My mother and I came to live with him and Gran after my father died. If it weren’t for them . . . ” Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “Not sure where I’d be now.”

Her father helped himself to a second slice of bread. “Families got to stick together. That’s what folks up here do. We look out for each other. Right, Laurie?”

Laurie choked down a mouthful of stew, her fingers wringing the napkin hidden in her lap.

“Even though I hadn’t planned on coming back to Port Angeles, I’m enjoying it more than I did as a boy.” His eyes met Laurie’s. “I didn’t appreciate its beauty back then.” Daniel’s words hung in the air like the steam drifting from the stewpot.

Her gaze lingered on his chin—clean-shaven, but still a hint of shadow along the jaw. Her fingers itched for a pencil. And the dimples. She hadn’t seen them since the night on the bluff.

“It is beautiful, that’s a certainty. Though I don’t get out to see it as much as I used to.” Dad rubbed his hand through his thinning hair. “I used to take the kids fishing and hunting, back when they were little tykes. But they’re too busy for that sort of stuff now, I suppose. It’s a shame really.”

Laurie pushed away the troubling sensation that she was listening to someone else’s father.

Daniel wiped his chin with the napkin. “I was thinking of heading out for Lake Sutherland tomorrow. I haven’t seen it in years.”

Laurie set her spoon back into her bowl. “Hasn’t it been a little cold the last few days for that? There could even be snow up there.”

Daniel’s eyes gleamed. “I was kind of hoping there would be. I thought it would be fun to see it all frosty and white.”

Her father bobbed his head. “It’s nice in the snow, but the road’ll be muddy. You shouldn’t go by yourself.”

Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “Maybe you two would like to join me?”

Laurie’s heart caught in her chest. “No, we couldn’t possibly. Dad works at the mill, tomorrow.”

Dad grunted. “Yeah, too bad.” He chewed his mouthful of bread and gave the napkin a sideways glance before mopping his face with it. “But, Laurie’s probably free.”

She struggled for breath, a flush climbing her neck. “Daddy—”

Daniel leaned forward. “I’d love it if you could come, Laurie.”

She clenched the napkin between her fingers. “No.”

His face fell. “Are you sure? It’s going to be a lovely day.”

“I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

Footsteps on the back porch brought the discussion to an abrupt end. Johnny burst through the door, “Laurie, why’s there a car . . . ” He came to a quick stop, his eyes widening.

“Daniel, what are you doing here?” He crossed the kitchen in a few strides, a rare smile lighting his face.

Laurie sat back in her chair. Why did this man receive such uncommon welcome in her house? First her father and now her brother.

Daniel stood and pumped Johnny’s hand. “I just dropped some prescriptions by, and your father invited me to supper.”

Johnny’s brows lifted. “He did?”

Laurie gathered another plate and bowl. Thankfully, she had only dished herself a half a bowl of the stew, leaving enough for all of the men. She could grab a snack later.

“You two know each other?” Dad cocked his head.

Johnny nodded as he sat down and picked up a spoon. “Daniel and I went to school together, Dad. I was glad to see him back in town. We went fishing together a few days ago.”

Laurie tucked her skirt under her as she sat.
So, they do call it fishing.

“Well, that’s perfect,” Dad chuckled. “Daniel here was just looking for company for a trip out to Lake Sutherland tomorrow. Johnny’s got the day off tomorrow, too.”

Johnny reached for a chunk of bread. “Yep. First day off in a while, in fact. I’ve been pulling double shifts the last couple of weeks.”

Laurie set her spoon down, trying not to think about Johnny’s other activities.

Daniel smiled. “I was just trying to talk your sister into coming along. Maybe if you come, she’ll relent and join us.”

Johnny took a bite and chewed. “Sounds like fun. We’ll swing by and pick up Amelia, too. She’s been on me to take her somewhere.”

Laurie sat back in her chair. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

Johnny and her father turned and stared, as if they had just noticed her presence. The corner of Daniel’s mouth turned up in a bemused smile.

I thought Johnny wanted me to stay away from the rumrunners.
Then again, she had pestered him to spend more time with Amelia. The dimple in Daniel’s cheek made her heart jump.
It’s only one afternoon. What could it hurt?

She dropped her napkin into her lap with a resigned sigh. “Fine.”