She shrugged, her smile there and gone in a blink. “My mom encouraged me to draw in the sand. Thanks to the water, there were no mistakes in those fleeting little sketches or oversized murals. It was wonderful to create with abandon in the moment with no thought for anything but the joy of it.” She sighed. “The pelicans were my signal to go back to the house.”
He could see it so perfectly. And that should have been a clear and sufficient warning that he was getting in over his head with her. He had a job to do here and it was increasingly clear Natalie wasn’t tied to Royer or anyone on his crew.
“It’s getting dark,” she said. “Obviously.”
“I didn’t notice.”
She turned, her brow pleated into a frown.
“I was too busy watching you.” He gave in, his thumb tracing her jaw. She didn’t tell him to back off. “Your feet are planted right here and yet your heart skips way back into your childhood.That’s special.” He pulled back before he curled his hand around her nape to pull her into a kiss. This wasn’t the time to start something. He didn’t want her too close when he found Royer or his crew.
Her smile bloomed. “It was a really great childhood,” she admitted. “What about yours? You haven’t said a thing about your family.” She touched his arm. “Please don’t tell me you’re some visiting deity from the Greek pantheon. I mean, you could pull it off with your looks, but I’d hate for anyone to have that much family dysfunction.”
He laughed at the convoluted compliment. “You astound me right and left.” His shoulder brushed hers as he rested his forearms on the railing. Watching the darkening swamp, he listened to the calls of various creatures from fish to frogs to night birds. “I’m the oldest of seven. I was fifteen when my baby sister was born. Boone and I were commiserating about teething last night at the Pelican.”
Her blue eyes studied him. “Oh my gosh. You’re serious.”
“Afraid so. By the time I escaped to college, I’d sworn off ever becoming a father. I mean, my parents were great examples, but I’d had my fill of infants and toddlers.”
She chuckled. “Never thought to count that as a perk of being the youngest.” She nudged his shoulder. “I bet that makes your mother sad.”
“Probably. She’s gracious enough not to mention it too often. Or maybe she’s given up on me. My sisters and brothers have held up their end of the generational bargain, so she has plenty of grandkids to spoil.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
He really should get back to work. At the very least he should get down to the marina and poke around. Instead, he lingered, reluctant to walk away from this time with Natalie. The lull in the conversation was soothing as the night marsh came to life.In the deepening twilight one of the automatic lights flickered, casting a soft glow around them.
“What about you? Any kids show up in your vision of the future?” The question was out there before he could stop himself. It was irrelevant and not even close to his business. And probably a tender spot, since her mom had passed not too long ago. He was about to apologize when she tipped up her face, her lips alarmingly close and tempting.
The slow smile nearly took him out at the knees. “I dreamed of kids once,” she murmured. “Wanted a big family. With my first husband.”
Firsthusband? She didn’t look old enough—or jaded enough—to have been married, even once. But she’d saidfirst. Had there been more than one? He couldn’t stifle his shock, “Were you a child bride?”
“Basically.” She sighed. “I was certainly old enough to know better. Too naive. I let a charming con artist sweep me off my feet. The whole story?” At his nod, she offered it up. “I was a college sophomore. We married on spring break and were divorced by the following winter holidays. Ridiculous, in the extreme.” Restless, she straightened, her fingers curling around the railing. “I was so convinced he was my soulmate. Mr. Right. The guy who would help me build a life as sweet and stable and loving as my parents had.”
Though her voice was steady, he could see and hear just how badly she’d been scarred by the experience. He didn’t need the full details. In fact, he was pretty sure if he had them it would be impossible not to do something stupid. The urge to charge out and slay dragons for her simmered in his blood. Dangerous territory. He wasn’t here for her. He was here to find a thief who had escalated to murder.
“That’s awful. I’m sorry.” The words felt lame and flat, but what else could he say?
Besides, how could he stand here judging the jerk who let her down? Would he be any better than her ex-husband if he indulged his attraction? Assuming, of course, that she wanted to explore this sizzle of awareness arcing between them, it would be short-term at best. His work took him all over. He wasn’t ready to settle down and stick around, no matter how Natalie tempted him.
“Thanks, but it’s long over.” She chewed on her lip. “Well, he was here a few weeks ago.” Her brows dipped into a fierce scowl. “He found me at the Hideaway shortly after we had coffee at the bakery.”
The way she said that bothered him. “Found you?”
She shrugged, but he was close enough to notice the shiver that went through her. “Basically.” The word sounded like a question and his instincts surfaced. “It’s not like he came here. I never told him much about the beach house. We weren’t together long enough for me to share sacred territory, no matter how charmed I was.”
Didn’t she know con artists were notoriously good at research? And if the Hideaway was sacred, why open it up to strangers? “You think he found it through the rental?”
“How else?” Her jaw was set and with clear effort, she gave him a smile. “He hasn’t returned. That’s what counts.”
Trent would have to take her word on that. “Has making the house a rental business been worth it?”
“Yes. The Hideaway gives us steady income,” she replied. “And honestly, we probably all benefit from some distance and a fresh perspective after losing Mom. Eventually, I hope it becomes just our family home again, but I’m not in any hurry. As it stands, we can always block out time for ourselves.”
Did she realize that she had scooted closer to him as they talked? Or maybe it was him inching toward her. Either way his focus was shot. Every fiber of his being was locked on her. Herlong fingers were surely stronger than they looked. He’d seen her work up close. What drew her attention fascinated him. The way her gaze moved over the marsh. Overhim. The soft twilight seemed to add a layer of sultry mystery to an already unique woman. The ocean air mingled with the citrus scent in her hair and he wanted to breathe her in.
For tonight, tomorrow, and possibly all the nights after.
