Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) (18 page)

Susan Barclay was a beautiful woman, one who caught men’s attention. Barely thirty and she had everything enhanced, nipped, and tucked that was possible. He cringed knowing he’d almost gotten lost in her snare. Jezzica was the exact opposite of Susan. She was not only gorgeous in a real way, but had goals and ambitions. She was caring and compassionate, and one of the smartest and sexiest women he’d ever met. He hoped—no, prayed—for a chance to find out if they could have a future together.

Their dinner date would be a great start. He rubbed his hands together. He’d never considered himself to be the Romeo type, but a dinner cruise for two sounded romantic, even to him. He couldn’t wait to surprise her. But first he had to clear his name and Susan had just given him some crucial information.
Now how to play it out?
He needed to talk to Logan.

Chapter Twenty-eight
 

Leaving bare footprints in the sand, she freely swung her arms. If someone had asked her for an explanation of the happenings of the past month—or even the past week—she’d be at a loss for words. Life had taken on an agenda of its own fashioning and the force was in forward motion. Catylen would have given God credit. Jezzica turned her eyes upward, as though God resided far, far away.
God, are you really there? Then I don’t understand—why did Geoff have to die? Lord, I need to understand.
She made an abrupt pivot and retraced her own footprints. She forced the heaviness of her thoughts into the recesses of her mind that had become their designated area.

She paused at the steps of her cottage; Catylen sat outside, with her head leaned back and her eyes closed.
The picture of perfect peace—how with so much turmoil in her life?
Jezzica bypassed the stairs, and continued on. Zack’s place was dark. Then her eyes landed on the deck and she froze. He was holding a bikini-clad woman in his arms. The name Susan floated to where she stood.
Susan?
That was the name of the woman he’d once been engaged to.
Why is she here?
Jezzica reversed her steps and broke into a run, blinded by her tears. “How could I have been so stupid?”

She rushed up the steps of her deck and plopped next to her sister. “Zack’s with another woman and we have a date tomorrow night. I realize we’re not in a relationship—but this just seems wrong. She called him
Zacky
.”

“Send him a text and cancel the date—you don’t need a player in your life.” Catylen stroked her sister’s hair. “It’s better you found out now than later. Come on, I’ll make us some chamomile tea before we turn in.”

She’d sent Zack a text before going to bed. She offered no explanation, just that the date was off. Even after the herbal drink, Jezzica still suffered through a long, restless night. A soft knock sounded on her door. “Come in, Caty.”

“Aw, you knew it was me. You okay this morning?” Concern filled Catylen’s eyes.

Jezzica folded back the covers. “Yes. I’m fantastic. I refuse to let him interfere with my life. Think of it, Caty—three businesses. We are going to kick butt.”

“Yeah, let’s go kick butt.” Caty dissolved in laughter along with her sister.

“I need to get a move on. I invited Maggie to meet me at the shop this morning. Afterward, I’ll swing back by and pick you guys up for our appointment with Abby.”

“Perfect. I’ll pour the cereal while you get dressed.” Catylen stopped with her hand on the doorknob. “Life is fabulous. Mike doesn’t have any idea what he threw away.” With that, she left and pulled the door shut behind her.

“You go, girl,” Jezzica quietly tossed at the backside of the door. She hurried to her closet and searched through her clothes. Abby wasn’t extremely buttoned-up in her style, but her appearance clearly denoted her position in the business community of Serenity Cove. Today’s meeting called for something other than jeans. A gypsy skirt caught her attention. She paired it with a silk tee and heels—as much of a concession as she was prepared to make. She danced into the kitchen and swirled around. “What do you think?”

“I like. Dressy, but not overdone. Wait right here.” Catylen bound up the stairs and returned holding a glitzy object in her hand. “Put these on.”

“Are you sure?” Jezzica locked the diamond studs in her ears.

“Of course. The perfect touch of class.”

“Hmm. I like that.” She gave her sister a hug, her heels clicking on the wood deck as she swung down the steps. The short drive was over before she’d had time to take a few breaths. A visit with Maggie was a great way to relax before her meeting with Abby. The biggest stress was making certain they weren’t taking a shop that might fail—she had to be sure. Especially now, given Lauren’s involvement. She pulled into a parking space in front of the bookshop and opened her car door. Her heart went into overtime and the flutters commenced at the sound of his
so
incredibly manly voice.

“Hi, Jezz.” Zack stood within easy reach and she fought to take a breath.

“I’m not having this conversation with you. We both live in this town—don’t make it any more embarrassing than it already is. Now please excuse me.” She brushed past him and unlocked the shop door.

“Jezz, at least tell me what I did.”

Her eyebrows shot up and a smirk of disgust was the only answer she chose to give him. The sight of his truck leaving brought tears.
Stupid. Dumb. How could I have—

With a flick of her wrist, she raised the shades to let the morning light into the bookshop. Everything had been polished and looked amazing. The chairs still needed to be picked up from Maggie’s shop. But, removing the dividing wall was bound to create dust all over again.
Ugh.
The bell over the door chimed and drew her attention. “Hi, Maggie.”

Maggie’s eyes rove over the shop. “It’s spectacular. I love it.”

“Thank you. The contractor is scheduled to start removing the dividing wall between the shops today, and it’s going to put a layer of dust everywhere.”

“I have some huge drop cloths. Use them to protect everything.”

“Why didn’t I think of that? It would sure save tons of work.”

“The shop is fabulous.”

“Did Samantha tell you we’re doing a tribute to Anne by featuring a children’s book written by her?”

“Yes. Anne would be so pleased.”

“Coming to the bookshop is one of the many treasured memories I have of summers in Serenity Cove. After I was grown, I remember my mom buying a silver tea set from your shop. She still displays it on a hutch in the dining room.”

“There are some who view drinking tea as an old ladies’ pastime. I believe it helps form a connection between women from generation to generation.” Maggie’s smile sparkled in her eyes.

“I love a formal tea where the tables are dressed in lace and set with china teacups.” The comment surprised Jezzica, but it was true—she’d come to enjoy one of her mother’s favorite things.

“I’ve been wanting to have a tea for Samantha. She and Logan have been home from their honeymoon for over a month. I think a tea party in the garden at the inn would be perfect.”

Jezzica clapped her hands. “It would be exquisite. If you need any help—count me in.”

“I’ll talk to a couple of people and decide on some dates and get back to you. For now, I’d better go open up. Welcome to Main Street.” Maggie tossed another wave over her shoulder and scooted out the front door.

Jezzica sat at her desk and jotted down a few notes for creating a mini bookstore at the inn, but she suddenly crumbled the paper and shot it into the trash.
It’s Lauren’s shop and it should reflect her vision, not mine.
She tossed her bag onto her shoulder and headed out the front door.

“Hi, Jezz.”

She turned to the voice coming from behind her, and wasn’t thrilled. “Hello, Nicole.”

“You have a minute?” Nicole looked to be on a mission, and frankly Jezzica wasn’t interested.

“If this concerns Zack, I already refused to have this conversation with him.”

“Don’t you think you at least owe him an explanation?”

“I’m on my way to an appointment, if you’ll please excuse me.”

“Zack is one of the good guys.” Nicole glared at her.

“I have very good vision—I saw all I need to know. Now I really must go.” It was a long stretch to believe Nicole wasn’t aware of exactly what kind of a man Zack Johnston was. And she sure had heaps of advice for others when she herself couldn’t own her own truth—that she was the one infatuated with the same man she was intent on playing matchmaker for, or so it seemed to Jezzica.

With effort she swallowed her irritation and a fake smile brushed her lips as she waltzed through the door of the cottage. “Hey, Caty.”

“What happened? You’re upset.”

“Just going over my to-do list. Are we ready to go meet with Abby?”

“We are. I’ll call Tasha and Lauren and we’ll get on our way.”

Jezzica pushed Zack from her mind and focused on the meeting with Abby. Thoughts of the emerging future dwarfed her annoyance—where exactly was life taking her and her family?

Chapter Twenty-nine
 

Zack burst into his chief’s office. “Louis Barclay is behind the investigation.”

Logan grabbed for his cap. “Let’s get out of here. I trust everyone in this office, but these are heavy issues.” Logan waited until he pulled out onto the road. “Okay. Why would Barclay have an interest in this case?”

“I’m good at what I do—I don’t make unfounded allegations. I dated his daughter, Susan. She showed up at my cottage with some harebrained idea that if I were removed from the force, we could resume our relationship. Guess where she heard about my suspension? I’m going to nail him.”

“Hold on, Zack. The best you’re going to do is use the information as a bargaining chip. All you have is a private conversation. If you go public with this, it will cause a great deal of embarrassment for Barclay, but your job as a detective will be the price you pay.”

“Is that the cop in you talking or the lawyer?”

“I’m on your side. But Barclay will survive anything you throw at him. Clear your name first. If he pushed this envelope, you can be sure he’s dirty and dirt tends to cling. We’ll get him—just not this way. Sit tight a few days and let it play out. If the commission drops the charges, it won’t even leave a smudge on your record.”

“In the meantime, I’m without a job.”

“I reversed your vacation days, so enjoy this one as your official vacation. Use the time to get better acquainted with a certain pretty female.”

“You mean the spunky woman that broke our date without a hint of explanation? Except she seems to think that I’m the epitome of a lowlife.”

“Don’t spend too much time trying to figure her out. Just repair the damage.” Logan’s amusement filled the cab.

“I’d join you in your merriment, but it didn’t come across as a game or a whim. Jezzica let me know she was done, period.”

“Samantha must be influencing me here, but buddy, if the two of you are meant to be together, you’ll overcome what seems like insurmountable barriers.”

“Guess we’ll soon find out if your wife’s proclivity for romance is based on a practical understanding of life. I suspect your beautiful wife has watched too many fairy tales and been bitten by the happily ever after bug.”