He walked back out to the porch, where Jillian stood, her hair rumpled and her lips swollen from their kiss.
Find anything?
A sheet of drywall fell over. He didnt go any deeper. He could be wrong. I set it upright.
She clapped her hands together. In that case, lets get going.
Right. This stuff isnt moving itself. And we need to get back to the McGregor B and B.
Jillian smiled. Exactly. If were late, Molly will send her brother, a member of the Cape Churn Police Department, to check on us.
Chance got to work. He wanted to get done and get back before darkand before something else happened in Jillians haunted house.
Chapter 4
Jillians back ached and she counted the minutes until she could take a pain pill and crawl into bed. But she had to take the trailer back to town, drop it off and then go to the B and B where Molly kept supper for her and Chance.
Though thankful for his help, she wasnt sure she should be thankful for the kiss. Working side by side, bumping into each other in the confines of the trailer and the small room where her things would be stored had been near torture. Every time they touched, a shower of sparks set off an electrical current inside her.
Chances broad shoulders took up a lot of space and were hard to avoid. When they carried the last two boxes into the house, she practically threw hers down. Well, that does it. She brushed the dust from her hands and glanced at Chance. You can head back to the B and B. I have to drop off the trailer and return the truck to my friend.
Ill go with you, he said.
Jillians heart did a double backflip. Thats not necessary. Im sure youre tired from your flight and all the work you got wrangled into. I can manage it on my own.
Just the same, Ill go with you and do the driving. Since you cant seem to recall falling down the stairs, I dont feel comfortable letting you drive.
I told you, I didnt fall down the stairs.
Doesnt matter. If you cant remember why you ended up lying on the floor of the basement, I have to assume you were unconscious at some point. He held out his hand. The keys?
She opened her mouth to continue the argument. One look at the determined set of Chances rock-hard jaw and Jillian snapped her mouth shut. With a frustrated sigh, she turned toward the truck. The keys are in the ignition. She climbed into the passenger side and fished the kitten out from under the seat, holding it against her chest like a shield.
Chance slipped into the drivers seat.
What about your vehicle? Jillian asked.
Itll be here in the morning.
She frowned. His response implied that he would be there in the morning, as well. Something told her shed do well to keep her distance from Novas best man. All that testosterone and those hunky muscles could derail a girl weaker than she. Butterflies fluttered against the walls of her belly. Okay, so she wasnt so strong against an extraordinary specimen like Chance.
Jillian had been around a few of the Stealth Operations Specialists whod moved to the area. Each one had improved the sceneryNova with his dark, exotic looks, and Creed Thomas with his Native American high cheekbones and solid strength, were both forces to be reckoned with. Even Nicole Steele, or Tazer, as they lovingly nicknamed her, was kick-ass, with years of experience making her as much of a lethal weapon as Creed and Nova. Now Chance...
Jillian pulled at the collar of her plaid shirt, the interior of the truck suddenly too warm. How long will you be staying?
Until after the wedding. Maybe longer.
Jillian swallowed hard on a groan. Are you staying in one of the cottages? She crossed her fingers the way she had when she was a little girl, hoping hed say yes. If she was staying at the B and B and Chance was, too, what was the possibility of avoiding him?
Slim to none. Then again, he was the best man in the wedding she was planning.
Im staying at the B and B.
It was her luck. At least shed only be there until the plumber got the water running and the electrician finished the rewiring. Hopefully, that would only be a couple more days. She could live with the dust and clutter of demolition and the rebuilding effort. Besides, Molly and Nova needed all the space they could get for Novas family members.
As they entered town, Jillian pointed to Runyans Convenience Store and Gas Station. This is where I drop the trailer, and Id like to put gas in the truck before I return it to its owner.
Chance turned in to the parking lot and backed the trailer in between other rental trailers parked at the rear of the building.
Jillians lips twisted. If I had parked the trailer, it would have taken a lot longer. Im not that adept at maneuvering trailers, or driving trucks for that matter. She gave him a smile. Thank you.
Just trying to help. Seems like youve bit off more than a mouthful with the wedding and a total house renovation all at once.
She nodded. Ive been planning this wedding for more than a year. The house was an opportunity that just came up, and I jumped on it.
Why that particular house? Why not something closer to town? Something that doesnt need so many repairs?
Jillian pushed open her door and dropped down from the truck. Everyone she knew had asked the same question. Lately, shed asked herself the same as the bills mounted and the work seemed to take forever. She met Chance at the tailgate.
While Chance unhooked the lights and hitch, Jillian stroked the kitten and thought about her answer to his questions.
Ive been in Cape Churn for two years. I didnt plan on moving from Portland, but a weekend getaway turned into a move to live here. Something about Cape Churn called to me. She shrugged. Instinct or gut feeling, it was like coming home. Ive been renting ever since, waiting for the right house.
Doesnt make sense to rent.
Tell me about it. And Im a real estate agent. She laughed. Trust me, I thought Id seen every house in Cape Churn and the surrounding area. Somehow Id missed this one. The bank called, wanting me to list it. Theyd been sitting on it for years and were tired of paying the taxes. When I came out to see it, I fell in love with the place. Like Cape Churn, it called to me. Jillian shrugged. Thats why I bought it. I know it sounds silly and maybe a little superstitious, but sometimes you have to go with your gut.
Yeah. Chance straightened, his lips thinning into a line, his jaw tight. Is there some paperwork you have to sign? he said, his voice clipped, his whole attitude changing from casual curiosity to rigid and dark.
What? Jillian stared at him. Was it something I said?
He shook his head. No. We just need to get back to the B and B.
Give me a minute to fill up the tank and Ill be ready to go.
Ill get it. Chance didnt give her the chance to climb into the truck. He was in and driving around to the pumps before she could form a protest.
What the hell had happened to make him suddenly so closed off and angry?
Jillian shook her head and followed the truck on foot.
Bud Runyan, the owner of the gas station, stepped out of the building. Miss Taylor, I expected you to use that trailer for at least another day.