The Homecoming (Thunder Point #6)(8)

Down on the beach, running at the water’s edge, it was him. Seth. What was he doing? He didn’t live here. But it was obviously him. She could tell by his light hair, his slight list to the right because of his limp. He was wearing fitted running pants and a sleeveless T-shirt, a jacket tied around his waist. “Yeah, I think that’s him,” she said to Grace.

“I’ll be right back,” Grace said.

So, he’s out for a run, Iris thought. What incredible dedication that must take, to keep up all his physical fitness even though he had issues with his leg. But then, that’s why he did it. He was a cop. He couldn’t be the slow one or the weak one if he came up against a bad situation. And by the look of his arms and shoulders, he didn’t end his workout with a run. He was so beautiful.

He must not have a good place to run near his residence, which she had heard was near Bandon. He got to the dock in front of Cooper’s and she expected him to turn and jog back to town. But, no. Hands on his hips, he walked in circles, slowing down, cooling off. Then he looked up to the deck. And smiled.

Crap! she thought. Is there no God? What the hell?

He walked around a little more, then wiped his face with the towel that hung around his neck. He climbed the stairs. Just as he hit the deck and headed for Iris’s table, Grace came out of the bar holding a glass of wine for Iris and a basket of corn chips.

“Hey, Seth,” Grace said in greeting.

“Hey, yourself. Is this chair taken?” he asked, indicating one at their table.

“No, please join us. Can I get you anything while I’m up?”

“Water would be good. Thanks.”

Grace disappeared again. Iris frowned. And what really pissed her off was Seth smiling. In fact it was a smile she remembered. It was the “gotcha” smile.

Grace was back with the water, adding salsa to the table, then disappearing again. Seth put on his jacket and zipped it up. “I don’t think this is going to work out for you, Iris,” he said.

“What?”

“Dodging me all the time. Avoiding me. Pretending you have important business elsewhere or appointments you’re late for. All your excuses. Sooner or later you’ll have to actually talk to me.”

“Oh, didn’t anyone mention? I’m moving.”

A laugh burst out of him. He opened his water bottle and chugged down half of the liquid in a couple of gulps. “No one mentioned,” he said.

“Are you everywhere?” she asked in a lowered voice. “You don’t live here! What are you doing here on a Saturday night? Running on the beach.”

“I had some paperwork to finish up today and I brought my running clothes. I wanted to see what’s happening on the beach tonight—Saturday night.”

“The kids usually hit the beach after games,” she informed him as though he wouldn’t remember.

“I know. I was watching last night from Cooper’s parking lot. It looked pretty familiar. And pretty tame. If memory serves, every night they’re not busy is party night.”

“And you decided to spy on them?”

“Well, I thought I’d have a look. And let them look at me—not far away in case anyone needs anything. Iris, we have to talk out this little grudge you’ve been nurturing for over fifteen years.”

She leaned toward him. “Two things, Deputy. One—we have talked. Several times. And two—I haven’t been nurturing anything. I’m merely minding my own business.” She grabbed a chip from the bowl and crunched down on it. Hard.

“Bullshit. You forget I know you. It takes a lot to piss you off and you’ve been stroking this one since our senior prom. I said I was sorry a hundred times. I was a dumb and insensitive teenage boy and I really regret hurting your feelings. I had no idea what it was going to cost me. Or you, for that matter.” He drank the rest of his water.

Iris looked over her shoulder and saw that Grace, in the bar, was up on a bar stool, laughing with Troy about something. She was probably giving Iris time to work things out with Seth while waiting for their pizzas. Grace knew about the prom thing, knew Iris was pissed. She didn’t know everything, however.

“I don’t know what it is about girls and proms,” he said. “You were absolutely crazed. And I never knew you to be that kind of girl, crying and carrying on. You used to beat me up, for God’s sake!”

“Apparently, I fell down on the job,” she muttered, lifting her wine.

He smirked. “I am an officer of the law, ma’am. Watch your threats.”

“Why aren’t you out with some skinny blonde tonight? Like usual?”

“I don’t think I know any around here. Is Sassy still around town?”

“She is, indeed. Need me to hook you up?”

“No, thanks,” he said. “She never left town? That’s a surprise. She was ready to move on. How’s she getting along?” he asked.

Iris took another sip of wine. “It appears she’s gained a couple of pounds.”

“That must thrill you.”

“And she lost a tooth,” she added. She pointed to a very obvious incisor. In front. “Here.”

He threw his head back and laughed so loudly that people actually turned and looked at him.

“Stop it!” Iris hissed. “You’re making a fool of yourself!”