Gabe grinned, lifted the tureen and carried it into the large dining room where a long table had been set with seating for eight.
Who do we have joining us? Gabe asked, not really interested, but stalling for a chance to freely observe Kayla through the window.
The Johnsons are still with us and while I was in town purchasing supplies, I ran into Jillian and one of her clients. I told them I was making clam chowder and asked if they wanted to come to dinner.
As if on cue, an older couple emerged from the first-floor hallway, hands joined like newlyweds, which they were, having chosen Cape Churn and the McGregor B and B for their honeymoon.
Dakota shuffled down the stairs, headphones jammed in his ears, carrying his iPod, shirt untucked, hair uncombed, the crotch of his jeans drooping nearly to his knees.
Gabe closed his eyes and fought against the urge to tell the young man how to dress. Hed been a teen once. Hed worn weird clothes, listened to his music and basically drove his parents crazy.
He let Dakotas appearance slide, his thoughts shifting to the woman he could see through the front window, leaning on the porch rail, staring out at the steely-blue waters of the cape.
Molly came to stand beside Gabe, wiping her hands on her apron. Were just waiting on Jillian and her client. Why dont you go talk to our guest. She seemed kind of quiet, and very jumpy. Why, I dont know. Id try to get her to open up, but I have to get the food on the table. Until Jillian and her client arrive, you have time. Mollys mouth slid sideways. You know you want to.
Gabe shook his head. Mollys exuberance didnt hide the fact that she was also very intuitive when it came to people and their feelings. She had a way of seeing through him, not that hed been trying to hide anything.
Kayla Davies intrigued him. He tried to tell himself it was because of her involvement in the murder investigation.
Dakota plopped into an overstuffed leather chair in the sitting room as Gabe passed by, headed for the front door.
When the screen door squeaked, Kayla glanced his way, her green eyes widening for a moment, that haunted look lingering in the shadows beneath her eyes.
Its beautiful out here, she said, turning her back to him, her gaze skimming across the rugged, rocky coastline.
Im kind of partial to it.
Kaylas fingers twisted a strand of long auburn hair, her attention on the view, not him. Is this your hometown?
Yes, maam. He leaned against one of the wide columns and stared at her rather than the scenery. Lived here most of my life except the time I spent as a Seattle street cop.
Seattle? Her gaze shot to him.
Hard to picture me fighting crime in the big city?
No. Its just that we came from the same city. She shrugged. Just shows you what a small world it is. Kayla glanced out at the sea. What made you come back to Cape Churn?
My son, Dakota.
She spun to face him, her eyes wide. Your son?
You look surprised. Gabe grinned.
Im sorry. She glanced down at where her fingers tugged at a loose strand of hair. Im so new to town, I didnt know.
Trust me, you cant be half as surprised as I was when I found out I had a son.
She frowned up at him. When was that?
Four months ago.
Her auburn brows rose up her forehead. Four months?
Gabe scrubbed a hand across his short hair. His mother dumped him at my apartment in Seattle. Before that, I didnt know he existed. Since an apartments no place to raise a kid, I brought him to my hometown. His lips twisted. Im pretty sure he hates Cape Churn. And hes not that fond of me, either. Honestly, other than strange music, Im not really sure what he likes at all. Im clueless when it comes to raising teens.
Cant help you there. Kaylas hand smoothed across her flat stomach. He seemed really interested in my art.
A chuckle rose from Gabes throat. Im not surprised. Hes on probation for defacing private property.
Kaylas head tipped to the side. He doesnt strike me as someone whod be deliberately destructive.
Graffiti.
Her smile, though fleeting, lit her face. Was it any good?
Gabe stared at the waiflike woman, hoping her smile would last longer, but her lips tipped downward again, the shadows in her eyes returning.
From the picture he showed me on his cell phone, yeah. He shook his head. Not that the courts saw it as anything other than a crime.
He needs an outlet for his art. One that isnt against the law. Again, that hint of a smile curved her lips.
Gabes breath caught. He could imagine how much more beautiful she would be with a full smile that reached her deep green eyes. I brought Dakota here to give him a fresh start. He glanced out across the rough waters of the cape and back to Kayla. I wonder if its too small-town for him, though.
Any place is what you make of it. He could be just as unhappy in Seattle as here.
Intelligent as well as beautiful. Gabes chest tightened. So what brought you here? Why did you move into the lighthouse cottage?
The attack in Seattle two weeks ago. Her fingers rose to her neck absently, but she grimaced and pulled them away before they touched the skin. It was too close a call. I couldnt walk down the street without seeing danger in every dark corner.
He tried to suppress the urge to take her into his arms and hold her until her fear faded. After hed learned what had happened to her in Seattle, hed no longer been surprised that shed struggled against him when hed pulled her away from the cliffs edge. It all made sense.
She fished in her jeans pocket. He tried to kill me, but he didnt have time. Before he got away, he yanked off the necklace I was wearing. She held up a thin gold chain with a broken clasp and a locket dangling from the middle. I found this in my car when I got in it to bring Dakota home. Its the same necklace he took that night. Her voice was steady, but he could see the way her hand shook slightly, sending tremors through the necklace chain. I left Seattle to get away from him. Im certain now that he followed me here.