The Thing About Trouble (Crystal Lake 1)

“That’s the trouble, though, isn’t it? Some things should stay hidden.” She paused. “The brie is lovely, but you better come and get some before it hardens.”

With that, she headed out once more, and Cam exhaled and followed in her footsteps. He tried not to notice the gentle sway of her hips as she walked. Or the way her hair rippled down her back and danced in the breeze. Her skin was like alabaster, smooth and white and soft. She was like a Nordic goddess.

Nordic goddess?

Cam made a face and opened the barbecue. Now he was spouting shit that belonged in one of those damned romance novels Mrs. Eddy had stashed all over her house.

He had no interest in Blue other than what a normal, healthy, red-blooded American male would have. A physical reaction to a beautiful woman. That was it, nothing more. Besides, his mother was right about one thing. The Barnes family was a complicated mess, and Blue was at the center of a storm, something Cam had already witnessed. He thought about Edward and his threats. About his filthy mouth. Things would get ugly.

He turned and watched Blue. She was a tough woman. He sensed that. She could look after herself. At least he hoped so.

In the end, Cam pushed all thoughts of Blue and her family and that sexy-as-hell mouth aside. He grilled their steaks to perfection, as well as the vegetables and potatoes. Blue volunteered to toss the salad, and the four of them sat down to eat.

This time when he asked Blue if she wanted a glass of wine, she said yes. He obliged and sat back as the power of food and the connection it created took hold. Mrs. Eddy and Blue got on well. The conversation was lively and animated, and little Tawny ate it up. In that moment, he realized how lonely his life had become, which was weird because up until now, he’d been perfectly happy with just him and Rufus and the occasional overnight visitor of the female kind.

He hadn’t been this relaxed or entertained anyone other than the guys in a good long while—and they were happy with cold pizza and beer. Blue had a sense of humor and a sharp mind, and he enjoyed the meal more than he thought he would. He enjoyed her more than he thought he would.

Maybe, he thought, just a little too much.

10

August gave way to September, and on the Wednesday before the Labor Day long weekend, Cam and his men finished the job in Blue’s backyard. It was hers to enjoy. No more noise, banging of hammers, or the buzzing of a saw. No more men’s voices on the wind or laughter at off-color jokes. No more Rufus running around or Tawny at her door.

No more Cam.

They’d formed some sort of relationship over the last few weeks. What it was, she couldn’t define. They weren’t exactly friends, and she sure as hell knew he wasn’t interested in her in that way. He’d made that more than clear. Even now, weeks later, her cheeks burned when she remembered his mother’s words and Cam’s declaration that she was the last woman in Crystal Lake he’d ever get involved with.

She knew what folks thought of her, and it hurt. Of course, it hurt. Her skin would have to be inches thick for it not to. She was lucky to have met Poppy, who enjoyed her company just fine, and for now, it was enough.

But with Cam, there was something more. He wasn’t just the guy working in her backyard. After the Sunday night dinner at his place, there was a sort of respect or maybe a kinship, because she and Cam were more alike than either of them realized. There was pain there. She sensed it. Most likely because it was a reflection of the darkness inside her.

She applied lip gloss and stared into the mirror. Whatever it was, whatever it had been, was over, and she would miss him.

“God, Blue, give it up.”

And now she was talking to herself. She stuck out her tongue at the image in the mirror, tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, and gave her outfit a once-over. Faded, soft jeans, silky black off-the-shoulder blouse, and black Manolo flats. She grabbed a small cream-colored bag off the counter in her dressing room, retrieved her cell, and scrolled through her messages, which weren’t many, but there was only one she was looking for.

I’m here. You’re not. I see nothing has changed.

She grinned at the sight of one smiley emoji and a heart emoji. Who knew the guy had it in him? She texted back that she was leaving and would see him in twenty minutes, and with light steps ran downstairs and hopped into her Honda. The humidity had broken, and the early evening air was crisp with a hint of fall.

Blue cranked the radio and sang along to every song that played, even the ones she didn’t know the words to. Those she made up. When she pulled into the parking lot of The Brig, AC/DC was blasting, and that earned more than a couple or double takes as she parked her car in a lot that was full, even for a Saturday night. She supposed it was because it was the long weekend and folks were celebrating the end of summer. She, on the other hand, had something else entirely to celebrate.

The Brig was, in fact, the old mill. It had been boarded up for years and was about to be torn down to make way for office buildings when an anonymous benefactor saved it. There were whispers that the Blackwells were involved, a local family with generational ties to the area. Whatever the case, the old building had undergone massive renovations and was now a gorgeous restaurant perched on the river that ran through town and fed into the lake. It was more of an upscale eatery and didn’t compete with establishments like the Coach House. Blue slid from her car and chuckled. The old Honda looked severely out of place tucked between a silver Benz and a big black Escalade. She didn’t bother locking her car because, really, who would ever take the old thing?

The restaurant was busy, and it took a few moments before the hostess came over. On the young side, with big green eyes and deep red hair, she smiled and indicated that Blue should follow. With a soft frown, she did, aware that several pairs of eyes were on her. She recognized a few faces from some of the committees she served on or fundraisers she’d attended with David. None of them were particularly friendly, though they didn’t bother to hide their interest. A few, like Marnie Edwards, a lovely older lady who was at dinner with her husband, smiled as she passed by, and that was enough.

They wove their way through the crowded restaurant and to the stairs that led to the upper level. Here the space opened up to a large patio overlooking the river, and it was beautifully done. Exposed brick gave the place charm, with crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and white mini lights and ivy adorning the massive pergola overhead. Exotic ferns and trees in large planters, and fragrant flowers in baskets completed the look. There was a bar, a large fire pit surrounded by sofas and palms trees, and at least twenty-five tables.

She spotted her brother immediately.

Cash Bodine was as dark as she was fair, with thick espresso-colored hair that hung to his shoulders, and several days’ growth of beard adorning his square jaw. He was tall, athletic, well built, and didn’t need the denim and leather to make him look dangerous. It was the kind of danger the ladies liked. Blue glanced around and shook her head wryly. Some things never changed. Most of the women snuck glances his way, wondering who he was, and who he was waiting for. And the single ladies wondered if they stood a chance.

He glanced up just then, and his dark, brooding features broke wide open into the kind of smile that melted her heart. Emotion came at Blue, fast and hard, and she barely kept the tears away as she headed toward him and was immediately enveloped in a big hug. It had been way too lo

ng.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered once he let her go.