“Thank you,” she stammered again, drawing back and ducking her head to hide the unfaithful shimmer of tears glazing her eyes.
“No problem,” Nikki replied with a soft laugh that lit up her face.“Come and take a seat.I’ll make you a cup of tea.And are you hungry?I’m going to cook us all grilled cheese.We all need a bit of food in our bellies,” Nikki chatted as she led Summer to a chair and then turned to put the kettle on.
Summer liked Nikki immediately.Which was surprising, because Summer didn’t trust easily, and it often took her months to warm to a person.This gorgeous woman with the honey-colored hair and the heart-shaped face didn’t seem as if she had a mean bone in her body.And the way she put Summer at ease, so effortlessly and without resentment, warmed Summer’s heart.Nikki reminded Summer of her youngest sister, Riviera, who was enthusiastic and vivacious, but also sincere and compassionate, ready to drop everything and help someone in need.
Mårten took the seat next to Summer, a quick look passing between him and Jacob that she couldn’t decipher.
“What did the police have to say?Do you think they have any chance of catching this guy?”Jacob asked, his gaze sliding between herself and Mårten before settling on Mårten.Summer left Mårten to answer, feeling unable to form words anymore.They began discussing the details of how the criminal had jimmied the door and then methodically trashed the place, as if looking for something specific.It wasn’t anything Summer hadn’t heard before, and so she tuned out, letting the two men take on their cop personas and talk shop.
The classic smell of grilled cheese sandwiches filled the kitchen, and Summer’s nose twitched as her stomach growled.She watched Nikki flit between the stovetop and the cupboards, getting down plates and then flipping the sandwiches over in the pan.Now that she looked more closely, and the shock of the immediate introductions was over, Summer thought something about Nikki was familiar.
With a jolt, Summer realized she knew this woman.Of course, this was Nikki Winter; she worked at the Marine Conservation Institute.The institute had commissioned Summer to do a few projects over the past few years.She’d never had an assignment from Nikki, but she’d met her more than once.Perhaps she hadn’t recognized her earlier because her long hair was cascading around her face and over her shoulders, whereas she usually wore it up in a high ponytail at work.
Then she remembered the terrible tragedy that had befallen Dr.Tammy Pittman, a friend and colleague of Nikki’s.It’d been in all the newspapers about four months ago.Summer had met Tammy once; they’d worked together for three weeks last year on a video highlighting the effect on orcas from polluting toxic stormwater runoff in Puget Sound.Tammy had been an intelligent woman, passionate about protecting the marine environment, and Summer knew her loss was a great one in the fight to save the oceans.She didn’t remember all the details of the event that’d ended in her death—it had something to do with stopping unscrupulous practices in the salmon farm industry in Norway—but she did remember that Nikki had been working on the same project with Tammy when she’d died.It must’ve been devastating to lose a friend like that.
Quietly, Summer stood and walked over to where Nikki was plating the sandwiches.Mårten and Jacob were still deep in discussion, heads bowed as they dissected each minute detail, hoping to find some clue to help capture the thief.
“You worked with Dr.Pittman,” Summer said softly.“I didn’t put two and two together initially.I’m a freelance photographer, and I did some videography work with her last year.I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Oh.”Nikki’s mouth formed a soft O as she looked up in surprise.“You knew Tammy?”Summer watched Nikki’s face as first pain, then confusion clouded her gaze, before sudden comprehension dawned.“Yes, of course, now I remember you.We met a few times in the previous year.I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.I’m usually good with faces.”Nikki’s beautiful countenance was lined with self-reproach.
“It’s not a problem,” Summer replied.Then she laid a gentle hand on Nikki’s arm as she leaned in, wanting to keep their conversation private.But she needn’t have worried; the two men were still deep in discussion, and not listening.“Tammy was a wonderful lady,” Summer added.“I’m sure the marine conservation family is mourning her loss greatly.”
The pain returned to Nikki’s face.“Yes.She was a great champion of our oceans.”Her eyes glazed over as a memory seemed to take hold.“I was working with her in Norway when she was murdered.It was terrible.”
Nicki recoiled.Murdered?She hadn’t realized that someone had taken Tammy’s life.That was a bit intense.The media had never mentioned homicide.But Nikki must know the truth, if she’d been there.“Gosh, that must’ve been hard for you,” she stuttered, unsure what to say to this woman she barely knew, who’d lost a good friend and colleague in dire circumstances.
“Yes.I got dragged into some pretty precarious situations, too.”Summer’s hand was still on Nikki’s arm, and so she felt the slight shudder run through the other woman’s body.Wow, something dreadful must’ve happened while they were on that Norwegian field trip.She wished she knew Summer a little better, as it was she couldn’t very well ask a stranger any of the questions that were clamoring in her mind.It would be impolite.
“I don’t like to think about it too much.”Nikki continued, her gaze clearing.“But there was a silver lining, if there can ever be a silver lining to anybody’s premature death.”Summer lifted her head to stare at Jacob’s back, her gaze softening, her lips parting in a smile.“I met a handsome Swedish cop.He saved my life.Protected me.”
Summer turned to stare at Jacob as well, putting a few more of the puzzle pieces together.From what Mårten had said, Jacob had followed Nikki here to be with her.Which was kind of romantic, if you were into that sort of thing.
“So I know what it’s like to need a place of sanctuary,” Nikki said, standing a little straighter, then grabbing a plate in each hand.“And you couldn’t be in a safer place right now.With Mårten being a cop, and Jacob working with the FBI, no one would dare break into this house.And if they did, they’d get a nasty surprise,” she added with a wink.“Which is why you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.”
Summer was left standing like a stunned mullet, staring after Nikki.That was a hell of a lot to digest all at once.Mårten had mentioned that Jacob now worked for the FBI.At the time, she hadn’t been sure how to feel about the news.Her natural skepticism made her wary.She’d never dealt with the FBI before.But they were simply another form of law enforcement, and with no proof to show her otherwise, she decided they were just as bad as any uniformed police officer.
At least she now had an insight into why Jacob and Nikki were so eager to have her stay with them, and she looked at Nikki with added respect.The woman had evidently been through a terrible ordeal and come out the other side with Jacob’s help.They were a very interesting couple.
“Come and eat,” Nikki called over her shoulder, galvanizing Summer into action.Grabbing the other two plates, she ferried them to the table before sitting next to Mårten, keeping her head down as she tried to process everything she’d just learned, her hand resting on the small gold cross at her throat.
Jacob was already taking a huge bite of his grilled cheese, but Mårten turned to look at her, leaving his sandwich untouched.“You okay?”he murmured, as if perceiving the confusion and disquiet in her eyes.
Gratitude welled in her chest as she stared back at him.Summer knew she’d treated him unfairly and was suddenly remorseful.She was safe and had a place to sleep tonight because of his compassion.He’d cared enough to help her, a complete stranger, after she’d been robbed and traumatized.Not only was this man gorgeous, with his silver eyes and silver hair, but he had a heart the size of a house.He was proof that there were good men out there.A tiny flame ignited within her as she stared into his eyes, melting a fragment of the ice she’d surrounded her soul with for so long.
She smiled at him, this time a genuine smile, and said, “I’m alright, thanks to you.”Dropping her hand from her necklace, she lifted half of the grilled sandwich, dripping with gooey, melted cheese to her face and inhaled deeply.“And I’ll be even better once I’ve got this in my stomach.”
“Cheers to that,” he replied, lifting his own sandwich, his eyes crinkling with smile lines as he took an enormous bite.
Oh, God.There was that smile again.The one that made her heart do stupid pitty pat things.She should rein in her disorderly emotions.There was no place in her life for love.Not even for a dalliance.Maybe because she was tired and distraught and her defenses were down, she’d let herself feel the attraction, just this once.She was sitting in a cozy kitchen, eating grilled cheese sandwiches next to a good-looking man, and at least for the following few moments she could indulge herself in his company.Tomorrow was soon enough to get back to reality.
CHAPTER FOUR
MÅRTEN ENTERED THE kitchen, still rubbing the tiredness from his eyes.He hadn’t slept as well as he would’ve liked, his mind worrying over the details of the break-in at Summer’s apartment.He hated to use the term gut instinct—he believed it was his police training and time spent on the job that gave him enough wisdom and knowledge to feel when things weren’t right—Jacob was the one who’d always followed his gut.But something was telling him that things just didn’t add up with this case, and he wasn’t sure why.Yet.
It seemed he was the first one awake; there was no sign of Jacob and Nikki.It’d been a late night.They hadn’t gone to bed until after two a.m., and the couple deserved a lie-in on a Saturday morning.
He flicked the coffee machine on and got himself a mug down from the cupboard.It wasn’t until he turned around that he noticed a note on the table, tucked underneath the sugar bowl.It was short, but to the point.Summer had gone for a run and would be back in an hour or so.A frisson of unease ran through him.How long ago had she written the note?He stared out the window, hoping in vain to see her come jogging up the driveway, but it remained stubbornly empty.Darn.He wished he’d heard her get up.She must’ve crept through the house like a dormouse.He hadn’t even caught the sound of the front door giving its normal loud squeak as it clicked shut.
