FOUR
“T
ripp!Over here.”
He glanced across the crowded pub, spotted Rafe waving from a booth over in the far corner and headed over.
As usual, The Skelly was packed.It had been around since the town was founded in the late 1800s, in a wood-framed Victorian building built with Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar harvested on the island.It felt like an old, authentic English pub, with wood-paneled walls, wide beams across the ceiling, and a huge open fireplace that took up half of the far wall.But the vibe had a distinctive Gothic feel, with skeleton art and objects covering the walls and decorating the tables.
Rafe tossed him a grin as he approached.“Hey, man.Glad you could make it.”
“Yeah, me too.”Though to be honest, it wasn’t like he had a lot going on in his life outside of work.He tended to work long hours and weekends to keep busy and fill the void.Having Rafe living on the island now gave him a reason to make more of an effort to be social.
He slid into the worn, tufted leather seat opposite Rafe, feeling acutely exposed.Before being wounded, his military training and combat experience would never have allowed him to put his back to the room.Now he preferred it.While the locals who knew him didn’t give him a second glance, it was different with tourists or strangers.Avoiding the stares was better than having an eye on the room.
He hated the stares.The whispers.The pity.“You good?”he asked, pulling himself out of his head.
“I’m great.The special tonight’s fresh-caught halibut and chips, by the way.I’m not usually a fish and chips fan, but this is next level.Double-cooked chips, super crispy batter on the fish, and a homemade tartar sauce to die for.I think it’s got lemon zest in it or something.”
Tripp cracked a grin.“You’re such a foodie.”
Rafe shrugged.“I appreciate a good meal.Especially if I don’t have to make it or do the dishes.”He flagged down a server.“You want a beer?”
“Think I’ll have a cider.”He’d go for the halibut and chips too.
“Cider?Fancy.”
“Yeah, they make an awesome pear cider over at Seabreeze Orchard.It’s got cardamom in it.”The brewery was a destination here on the island, as was the winery next to it.The properties were Tripp’s closest neighbors, and the owners were good people.
“Cardamom, huh.Now who’s being a foodie?”
The server came and took their orders.
“So, you got your feet under you now?”Tripp asked, easing back against the tufted backrest.He could still feel some looks coming his way, but it wasn’t as bad as before.
“Think so.Been a bit of an adjustment after living in Seattle so long.”
“I’ll bet.But in a good way?”
“Mostly.The tourists are keeping us busy though.”
“Once upon a time you kept the sheriff busy as a tourist too,” Tripp pointed out.
A grin tugged at Rafe’s mouth.“I’m aware.I—” He stopped, his gaze cutting over toward the entrance.
Tripp looked over, and his entire body pulled taut.Willow stood just inside the front door, talking to the hostess.
The sight of her punched the air from his lungs.He’d been hoping to avoid bumping into her for a while yet.
Her long brown hair was down loose around her shoulders.She wore a pink floral summer dress that dipped low over the cleft between her full breasts.The hem came to just below her knees, leaving her shapely lower legs bare.
He drank her in like a man dying of thirst, unable to look away.Spellbound, just like the first time he’d seen her when they were teenagers.But now they were all grown up, and the level of want was as powerful as ever.
