Harbor Street (Cedar Cove #5)(96)

“That certainly gave Tony a motive, didn’t it? And Anson, too—if he thinks Tony’s been on his case, maybe spreading rumors about him.”

“That’s exactly what I figured,” Cecilia agreed. She couldn’t blame Seth Gunderson for laying off Anson. He had the motive, the opportunity and the reputation.

Her husband was quiet for several minutes. “That’s all true,” he finally said, “and I wouldn’t totally rule him out, but in my opinion, the kid’s gotten a bad break.”

“He isn’t right for Allison,” Cecilia insisted.

Ian was quiet again, and then he said, “You know, I’m glad you didn’t listen to the people who told you it was a mistake to go out with a Navy guy.”

“Oh, Ian.” She turned into his embrace. “I’m glad, too.”

She was. Not only that, her husband had given her something to think about.

Forty-Eight

Rachel laughed at Jane’s joke as they walked out to the parking lot after work on Saturday. It was the shop’s busiest day and she’d been on her feet for almost ten hours; she was exhausted. Laughter was a good release, even if the joke had been silly and a little off-color.

The parking lot was dark, only fitfully illuminated by nearby streetlights. Approaching her car, keys in hand, Rachel stopped abruptly when a tall, lean man came out of the shadows. Terrified, she couldn’t move.

Until the man spoke.

“Rachel, it’s Nate.”

She felt instantly weak until the anger kicked in, rescuing her. “You scared me out of ten years of my life,” she snapped. “What do you think you’re doing, hiding in the shadows like that?”

“Sorry.”

“You should be!”

He held up both hands. “All I wanted to do was talk. I wasn’t interested in starting World War Three.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you came sneaking up on me.” Just then, Jane drove by and slowed down as if to check out the situation. As soon as she recognized Nate, a gigantic smile formed and with a wave, she drove off.

Undeterred, Rachel went on. “You’re lucky I didn’t gouge out your eyes with my car key.” The anger concealed her elation. Rachel didn’t want to be this happy, and that made her feel even angrier at herself for reacting to him. “Furthermore,” she added in a flustered voice, “why are you lurking in the shadows like…like some stalker?” She inserted her key in the lock and yanked open the door.

“Like I said, I came to talk to you.” He didn’t back down. They stood several feet apart—which was too close. Far too close.

“I love you, Rachel. I can’t help it. I was going to let you have your own way, but I couldn’t do it.”

She wished he hadn’t said that. Every time he opened his mouth she weakened a little more. “This is not a good idea.”

“I happen to think it’s an excellent idea.” He advanced one small step toward her.

Heart pounding, Rachel held out her arm. “Stop right where you are.”

“No.”

“I’ll call for a security guard.”

Still he came. “You do that.”

“Nate…no.” But he reached her and gently took her by the shoulders and brought her toward him. She couldn’t fight him. Instead, the minute he touched her, she swayed into his arms as if she belonged there. When he kissed her, she had to grab his shirt collar just to remain upright.

“Rachel, Rachel,” he murmured between kisses that left her clinging and breathless. “Why did you shut me out of your life?”

If he hadn’t said anything, she might have forgotten, at least for the length of another kiss. But, no, he had to go and remind her why a relationship was impossible.

She forced herself to pull away, then dragged in a deep breath and prayed she could get enough oxygen into her brain to think clearly.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” he protested. “I’m not letting you go that easily.”

“Nate—it won’t work.”

“Who says?”

“I do.”

“Then you’re wrong. I love you.”

“You don’t even know me.” He was making this more difficult than it had to be. “I’m just another way to thumb your nose at your family. I…refuse—don’t you dare kiss me again! Oh…Oh.” The fight went out of her as his mouth found hers. His kisses were hungry and demanding and each seemed more potent than the one before. Her knees wobbled and her heart fluttered and if she didn’t do something soon, they’d end up at her house, in her bed….

“Let’s get out of here,” Nate said, his breathing uneven.

“No.” Where she found the strength to deny him anything, she didn’t know. “I told you, this won’t work.”

He gripped her shoulders and his eyes bore into hers. “I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully.”

At his touch she was dumbfounded.

“Do you understand me?”

Somehow, she managed to nod.

“Good. Rachel Pendergast, I love you. I am my own person. I always have been. I love my parents, but I won’t allow them to dictate my life. My father is a congressman. I’m a Warrant Officer in the United States Navy. It’s a job I enjoy and a rank I earned by my own merit. Understand?”