Bay Hideaway Read online

  Judi surveyed him with large emerald eyes, uncertainty still lingering in their depths. “I don’t know.”

  “It’s up to you,” he assured her, spreading his hands nonchalantly before her. “I do think it will help us sort out the who, what, and why of this problem. You can choose which note comes and which ones stay.”

  There was a measured but deep intake of air as Judi mulled over his words. “All right. One note can’t make that much difference—if it should disappear.” She regarded him with a narrow gaze. “For the record, though, you need to know that I’m not convinced of your innocence.”

  “Fair enough!” He shrugged. “I have my own reservations when it comes to your part in this death-disappearance ploy. So we’re even.”

  Judi’s brows arched a fraction.

  He launched his own quizzical look her way. “But I’m willing to concede other possibilities might exist. Are you?”

  “I suppose.”

  “That’s a starting point.” Instinctively, he dropped his voice a tone or two and inclined his head toward the box. “Why don’t you go ahead and choose a letter. We’ll work from there.”

  “Fine!” Determination, sprinkled with a light dusting of edginess, crept into her voice; yet when she began to reach forward to select a note, Nathan saw her hastily pull back.

  Her eyes darkened in dismay as she looked up at him. “On second thought, why don’t you choose one; maybe the note you were just working on.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure—if you think it will help.”

  “I do!” Nathan cast her a troubled glance as he folded the letter and tucked it alongside the pen in his shirt pocket. Getting her to discuss the letters might be more of a challenge than he thought if she couldn’t even touch them.

  “Would you mind putting away the box?” she asked quietly.

  Without delay, he closed the box lid, scooped it up, and slid it back into the dark, narrow cavity. The small metal door closed easily. “Are you ready?”

  Judi nodded and gathered her purse while Nathan rang the bell. The ever-vigilant bank teller wasted no time in coming.

  “Find everything all right?” the teller asked with a smile.

  “Yes, thank you,” Judi replied as the teller relocked the vault and returned Judy’s key.

  As they walked through the doorway and into the lobby, several heads turned their way.

  Nathan leaned close. “I think we’ve stirred some interest,” he whispered, his hand naturally resting at the small of her back to speed her along. He felt her back grow rigid and quickly let his hand drop.

  Judi looked at her watch as soon as they stepped outside into the warm rush of island air. “It’s almost two o’clock,” she remarked with a groan. “I need to get back to the church. I’m already an hour late.”

  “But you haven’t eaten,” Nathan pointed out with logic as they walked to the golf cart. “We also have a lot of work to do. Why don’t we grab a bite to eat and then discuss what we’re going to do?”

  “I don’t think I could eat a single bite right now.”

  “But I could,” he quickly protested.

  “Well, I can’t just not show up for work,” she reasoned. “My job’s flexible, but not that flexible.”

  “If it’s bothering you, call the church and see about taking the afternoon off. They already know you have an out-of-town visitor. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

  “I really shouldn’t.” There was a sigh. “It might generate gossip and I do have work to finish for the camp.”

  “Your policeman friend, again?” Nathan moved to unsnap a small cell phone from the holder on his belt. “Then call your friend and explain that you’re tied up this afternoon. See if the work can wait until tomorrow.”

  There was an awkward silence. “But I’ve never called off before.”

  “All the more reason why they shouldn’t mind.”

  Judi hesitated.

  “Call him and see.” Nathan flipped open the phone and turned it on. A tart musical rumba danced across the silence as the network booted up. He handed her the open phone. “I’m sure the church and camp can spare you for a few hours.”

  Judi placed her purse on the driver’s seat of the cart and grudgingly took the phone. “Let me see if Pastor Taylor’s in first.”

  Nathan glanced down at her as she poised a slender finger to dial. Unbidden, his memory shot back to happier times when Judi would tenderly trace the outline of his lips with those soft, silky fingertips, nearly driving him out of his mind with longing. He closed his eyes over the burning recollection.

  Suddenly, the phone came to life with a loud, annoying ring and he jerked his eyes open.

  For a breathless moment, Judi stared at the offending noise before pushing it toward him. “I think it’s for you.”

  Frowning, Nathan took the phone. When he saw the caller’s name on the screen, he quickly snapped the cover down.

  Lindsey! That was another fine complication he would have to deal with.

  “Aren’t you going to answer?” Judi asked.

  Nathan rested his gaze on her. “They can leave a message. I’m busy right now.” There was curiosity in her eyes, but she seemed to accept his words and he went on. “So, where were we? Calling the church, I believe.” He extended the phone to her again. “Let’s try it once more.”

  Their fingers touched lightly as she reached for the phone, and he hesitated a moment before relinquishing his hold. She lifted her gaze questioningly. Again, an electronic noise interrupted, and she slowly pulled back, her hand dropping to her side.

  “Sounds like the person left a message,” Judi reasoned, nodding toward the phone. “Maybe you should listen to it before I call the church.”

  Shaking his head, he adamantly refused. “Go ahead and make your call—and do it fast before we’re interrupted again.”

  But Judi was already looking beyond him. “Too late!”

  Nathan turned to follow the direction of Judi’s gaze. Instantly, he recognized the large-boned woman named Tilly he’d met that morning striding quickly across the parking lot toward them.

  “Fancy meetin’ the two of you here,” Tilly greeted as she drew closer, her full-mouth smile embracing both of them.

  “We’re in trouble.” He heard Judi breathe in a soft whisper.

  Nathan remained silent.

  “I’m glad to catch up with you, though,” Tilly continued when she stopped in front of them, her purse handles swinging wildly from her arms. “The two of you are officially invited to my house tomorrow for a good old-fashioned pot roast meal.” Nathan caught her piercing gaze, his own wavering slightly in surprise when she winked at him. “It would be a mighty shame for you to visit the island without me extendin’ you one of my home-cooked dinners.”

  “That’s kind of you,” Nathan attempted to cut in. “But—”

  “Won’t take no for an answer,” Tilly went on as pretty as she pleased, glancing between the two. “Just picked up the roast at the butcher shop a few minutes ago for this very occasion and it’s a real beauty.” She inclined her head toward Nathan with a twinkle of determination in her eyes. “I reckon you like banana cream pie?”

  “Well—” Nathan must have hesitated one nanosecond too long, because Tilly instantly picked up talking where she had left off.

  “I’ll bet you’ve never had authentic stollen bread, either.” Her mouth curved into a wide grin, and she turned her attention to Judi. “It’s one of Judi’s favorites. Tell him what a treat he’s in for. Nothin’ like a fresh, hot, steaming loaf of bread to tickle the palate.”

  “No one can beat your cooking or baking,” agreed Judi. “But—”

  “Does six o’clock sound about right for tomorrow?” Tilly asked with obviously no intention of waiting for an answer. “Judi knows the way well enough.” Then a number of wide wrinkles creased her forehead as she smiled again. “Come a bit earlier and show Nathan the flower garde
n.” Her sharp eyes swiveled back to Nathan. “It’s the peak bloomin’ season and somethin’ not to be missed.”

  Judi gave Nathan a helpless look and opened her mouth to speak when Tilly interrupted for the third time.

  “No need to thank me!” Tilly waved a casual hand at Judi. “Any family of yours is a friend of mine.” Before anyone could protest further, she reached into her purse and brought out her checkbook. “I’d better stop jawin’ and skedaddle to get my bankin’ done.” She turned to go and waved a happy finger. “Don’t forget, now. Tomorrow at six. I’ll be waitin’.”

  Tilly strode away with purpose and vanished into the bank, leaving the pair alone. Then silence fell.

  “What just happened?” Nathan asked after a moment, shoving a hand into his pocket as he stared at the clear glass bank doors and then at Judi.

  “We’ve just been shanghaied, Counselor,” Judi said, her lovely eyes widening in resignation. “That’s what happened.”

  Tilly must be slicker than oil to get through my fingers like that, Nathan mused. That didn’t happen too often. He didn’t have time for a home-cooked meal with a woman who obviously knew how to navigate the waters to her advantage as well, if not better, than he. This posed a new question.

  He drew his hand out of his pocket and rested it firmly on his hip. “What’s behind this invitation?”

  “My guess is she knows something’s up and believes she can help.” She shrugged her delicate shoulders. “It will be useless to try to extricate ourselves from the invitation—she won’t give you the chance, as you can see.”

  “I noticed,” he muttered flatly. “She’s something else. I could have used her on the House Floor last week. She would have made chopped liver out of every senator and representative there.”

  Judi nodded in agreement, looking up at Nathan.

  “Better take advantage of the lull in the action,” he advised, pushing the phone toward her. “Maybe you can make the call before any other interruptions and distractions come our way.”

  Again Judi nodded, and he wondered what was going through her mind as she dialed the numbers and what he was going to do with all of his pent-up frustration.

  Judi held one hand over the wild strands of hair happily taking flight as the wind sliced through the golf cart and she continued to tightly grip the seat back with the other. The wind died down as Nathan pulled into the Dairy Barn parking lot.

  “I knew the church wouldn’t mind your taking some time off,” Nathan remarked as he parked the cart and climbed out.

  “The pastor and the people at church are wonderful,” she commented, sliding out of her seat. “I don’t want to take advantage of their generosity.”

  He only nodded and she fell into step beside him as they went into the restaurant. When they had ordered and brought their food outside to the red painted picnic table, Nathan pulled out a crisp, white handkerchief to dust off the seat. Judi laughed.

  “What?” Nathan bluntly asked, giving her a quick flash of annoyance as he refolded the handkerchief. “This is one my finest pairs of slacks.”

  “Some things never change,” she replied, finding it hard to keep the silly grin off her face. She pressed her skirt close to her legs and plunked herself down on the other side of the table. “The first thing you need to learn about island life is to lose the dapper duds. We’re a laid-back lot and like to go casual.”

  “I feel more comfortable dressed up,” he defended, slipping the paper wrapper off the straw and stabbing it into the perforated lid of his cup. “People respect the starched and pressed look.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” she apologized, biting her lip to keep from grinning again. Somehow she felt considerably lighter and more relaxed. “Around here, folks respect you for who you are, not what you wear.”

  “You like it here, don’t you?” he asked, as if the idea surprised him.

  She sobered, knowing how she clung to Bay Island like a climbing tea rose to a trellis. It was her home. “I absolutely love this place.”

  Nathan peered into the food bag, pulled out a foil-wrapped hot dog, and handed it to her. “You seem to have made a lot of friends.”

  Judi pushed her own striped straw into her cup, pumping it wistfully up and down. “I know this may sound strange, but starting a new life on Bay Island gave me an opportunity to change who I was—and I like the new person I’ve become.” She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “And yes, I’ve made quite a few new friends who I’ll always cherish. It will never take the place of my own family, though.” A sigh escaped. “I still miss them terribly.”

  Nathan seemed to regard her carefully. “Really?”

  She nodded pensively. “Have you kept in contact with my father?”

  “Some,” he answered, lifting the bun of his hamburger to inspect the contents. He moved the pickles in a symmetrical pattern and replaced the top. His gray eyes regarded her closely. “Your father never cared much for me and in some small way has blamed me for your death, so our contact has been limited.” He shrugged. “But as far as I know, he’s still living in the same place and doing as well as expected.” One eyebrow lifted. “He took your death rather hard.”

  Judi felt her previous lightness slip away and guilt moving in. “And your family?”

  “Mother and Father are still in good health and active as ever,” he answered. “My sister, Laurie, has been promoted to senior editor and brother Jeff is seriously in love for the tenth time. Nothing new.” He gave a wry smile and took a bite of hamburger.

  “That’s the part I hated the most, causing pain to the people I loved. It was a choice I didn’t want to make.” She cast a pleading look asking for understanding. “There was no other way.”

  “Did you think to ask God if your plan was the only way?” Nathan demanded to know, wiping his lips with the thin paper napkin. “God?”

  “You know,” he went on, pointing to the sky, “the God of heaven and earth.”

  “I know who you mean,” she assured him. “I just—”

  “You’re simply not used to me talking about Him,” he finished for her. He gave her a searching look. “You’ll appreciate the irony of this. After your so-called death, I turned my life over to Christ… mind, body, and soul. Your faith seemed so strong and just what I needed to grab on to during those agonizing days.” His expression hardened. “But you probably never thought about how I might be affected by your death, did you? Not when you thought I was the devil incarnate.”

  “Nathan—”

  “Did you ever stop to think that I might not have been the person threatening you and that I really had loved you?”

  There was that past tense version of his love declaration again. Judi tensed. “I did what I had to do, Nathan.”

  “Without regard for what I might have to go through, the devastation of losing a wife?” he asked, taking a sip of his drink. He paused, studying her in a way she found disturbing. “I can’t begin to describe to you what that felt like. Do you know what my nights have been—” He stopped midsentence, the last coming out rushed, as if he suddenly realized how transparent he was being. “Finding you alive brings more questions than answers, Judi. It also makes me wonder if my relationship with God isn’t as much of a forgery as yours.”

  “Don’t say that, Nathan,” she pleaded, a fresh sense of urgency coming over her. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be at all. “I’ve learned so much more about God since coming to the island. My faith looked strong before, but it wasn’t. My view of God and my relationship with Him wasn’t right. There was so much I didn’t understand then.” She laid an insistent hand on his arm. “It’s different now! My relationship with Christ has grown to a much deeper level.”

  “But you’re living a lie!” he pronounced, his mouth grimly tight. His scrutiny of her face was calculating, as if he were sizing her up. “You can’t say you have God and blatantly ignore His laws.”

  She protested. “It’s not that black and white.”<
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  “What’s not so black or white about it? Either you obey His laws or you don’t. How do you justify it?”

  “I don’t,” she answered. “But what could I do? Once I finally understood what it meant to have a real live relationship with God, I was in too deep to back out.” Her grip tightened on his arm. “Can you understand that? What would going back to Pennsylvania do, anyway? It would have put me right back into the hands of the person writing those letters, ruined your career, and crushed our families all over again. There was no turning back once my new life began—not without serious repercussions.”

  “You already have serious repercussions.”

  “I know!”

  “No.” His glance swept over her. “I don’t think you do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Nathan leaned forward, thoughtfully propping his chin on the ball of his thumb. “I mean… I’m engaged to be married!”

  six

  “Engaged!”

  Judi felt her heart stop as she waited for him to say something—anything. Since Nathan’s arrival earlier in the day she had endured one shock after another, but his most recent bombshell moved her world like the shuddering shift of the San Andreas Fault.

  “I guess this is another complication you didn’t foresee,” Nathan exclaimed, his words as sharp and clean as a two-edged sword.

  Judi sat perfectly still, barely breathing. “Oh, Nathan.”

  She heard how thin her voice sounded, but how could she stand it? Engaged to another woman! Had the thought of him seeing other women ever occurred to her? Yes; once or twice, early on. Yet, when Mrs. Judi Whithorne died and Miss Judi Rydell’s identity firmly took hold, the menacing Nathan faded off into nonexistence. She had hardened her heart against the love she knew with her husband. Not once did she seek information on him or her family in fear that someone might take notice and blow her cover. There were no harsh realities to think about if her former life was erased from the books. Now, however, she was face-to-face with this previously hidden world and the lives of those affected by her death.