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Chapter 4, Part 1

Chapter 4

“Let’s get out of here,” Cole said as he steered Tori toward the door by the elbow.

“I thought you wanted to talk to your father,” she protested, hurrying to keep up with him.

“I already did.”

His voice was filled with so much pain that Tori’s heart went out to him. Obviously, their conversation hadn’t gone well; and just as obviously, Cole didn’t want to discuss it. His heart-wrenching silence shouted the fact more loudly than his words ever could.

Not knowing what to say, Tori rushed with him to the Rogue and got in when he opened the door for her. After he slammed it shut, he rounded the back and slid in behind the wheel. As soon as he closed his door, he laid his head back on the whiplash protector and sighed heavily.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concerned by his behavior.

He turned his head toward her and grinned boyishly, but even though it was night, Tori could tell his heart wasn’t in his deception. If it were, his eyes would be sparkling brightly in this well-lit area of the parking lot. Instead, they were clouded with worry and anger.

“Stay with me at my beach house,” he suggested lightly.

“I can’t, Cole,” she said. “It wouldn’t be right.”

“Then agree to talk to me there.”

It was tempting. They would have privacy plus the ocean’s seductive waves to relax them. Unfortunately, those waves were part of her reason for not wanting to go. She was terrified that more than just talking would happen if they went to the beach house. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she answered him shortly. “No.”

When he turned his head back, she almost regretted her answer. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so badly if she explained. “I think I understand what you’re feeling right now, Cole. You had an argument with your father, and you don’t want to be alone because you’re afraid you’ll dwell on it. I feel the same way after I argue with my mother. Maybe it’s a normal reaction.”

Cole sighed again then said, “You don’t understand at all. This isn’t about Dad and me, Tori. It’s about you and me.” Turning in his seat, he met her gaze. “We’ve known each other three days now, although it feels more like three centuries. And in those three days, you’ve run away from me three times. Why?”

Tori felt a lump grow in her throat. Every time she thought she had her emotions under control, he did or said something that made her heart go out to him. Why did she always feel like an unconcerned witch because she refused to let herself experience his emotions? She didn’t even know this man—while at the same time, she felt like she’d known him forever.

Not sure how to respond, she spoke in a soft voice that she hoped would relay the message she couldn’t express. “I’m only aware of having done it once. That’s tonight, and it was because our conversation was just plain too personal.”

“What about yesterday?”

“I told you then that I was running away to prove that I could.”

“What about the evening we met?” he reminded her. “You took off like a light without even drinking your margarita.”

“In that case, I was running to make an appointment.” Pausing, she smiled to lighten the conversation. “With you if you’ll recall.”

But her attempt to cheer him failed, because he grasped both of her hands and gazed over at her as he spoke in a somber tone. “Don’t run off again, Tori. If you want me to take you back to the mansion, you have to promise not to leave.”

“Is that why you want me to stay with you?” she asked incredulously. “Because you’re afraid I’ll run away?”

Instantly, he released her and resumed his former position. When he responded several seconds later, his voice lacked all the passion it had carried only moments earlier. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Will you promise not to leave the mansion?”

“On one condition,” she agreed. “Once we’re there, you have to tell me what your father said to upset you like he did.”

“Will that get you to stay?”

“Absolutely.”

“All right then. I’ll tell you—but only after we get to the plantation. I need time to think about what happened and decide how to explain.” Sliding his key into the ignition, he gazed over at her. “You know something, Tori? You’re very understanding, and I appreciate you all the more for it.”

Unsure what to say, Tori fell silent. She’d never met a man who was so honest about his feelings. Every other one she’d known hid his emotions, and she didn’t know how to react to Cole’s openness. At least, she didn’t have to worry about him hiding things from her like Paul had. Cole would communicate, and that was very important in a relationship.

What was she thinking! She didn’t want a relationship with Cole Marshall. He had hired her to do a job, so she had to keep their growing closeness at bay. Remembering that would serve two purposes: it would keep her from getting hurt again, and she could do her job better. But the intimacy was already growing stronger. She could feel it as surely as she could feel the tension that coursed through her body every time Cole came near, as surely as she could feel the security of being in his arms when he’d held her after she found the skeleton that afternoon. Had it only been that afternoon? It seemed decades ago.

If he knew she wanted to run to him rather than away, he never would have accepted her decision not to stay at his beach house. Worse still, if he knew, he would probably sweep her into his arms and kiss her. And if that happened, she would lose every ounce of logic she so desperately clung to.

Cole glanced at Tori as she watched the scenery pass. He should have kept his mouth shut about being afraid that she would run away, even if he hadn’t admitted that the mere thought of losing her terrified him. Now he was anxious about her reaction to their brief conversation.

She wasn’t saying anything—not even about the restoration job. He’d said too much before they left the parking lot, but he couldn’t retract his words now. He’d shown her that his vulnerability lay in her, and he didn’t know what to say to validate his trepidation where she was concerned. Why couldn’t he be as aloof as she was? Why did he have to let his heart take over his words? He’d tried to cover the truth, but she’d understood everything he hadn’t said.

Why was his life suddenly so complex? Why couldn’t it be nice and simple like it was just four days ago? Because his life wasn’t uncomplicated four days ago, that was why. Even then he’d had an odd feeling about the mansion. He just hadn’t realized what it was. Now he’d unwittingly involved Tori in his tangled life.

An astute man would tear up the contract and send her away before she got hurt. His unsubstantiated fear that Tori could get hurt because of what she’d found, however, was nothing compared to the fear that Tori could hurt him by simply walking away. These feelings of attraction to her were so strong he couldn’t deny them. He’d only given his heart to one woman, and she’d left him with only a note of explanation. He couldn’t bear it if that happened a second time.

It had taken years for him to come to terms with his mother leaving. To this day, in fact, that sense of desertion still haunted him. Maybe, if he worded it right, he could find out what Tori thought of his mother’s actions. He had to be very careful, though, to see that she didn’t suspect he was testing her reaction.

“Tori?” he asked, abruptly ending the silence.

She turned her gaze to him. “What is it?”

“Could I ask you a personal question?”

“I suppose.”

“I came to terms with Mom’s leaving years ago. For all I know, she could even be dead by now, although I don’t want to believe that’s true. I want to believe that she’s out there—somewhere—wondering how we kids turned out, wishing she could see us again. But one question still nags at me. Maybe you can answer it. I don’t feel right asking my sisters because They’re personally involved. Why would a mother leave her children with a note telling them that she would keep in touch then never do it? Why would a loving mother like mine leave her children in the first place?”

Her expression told him everything. She didn’t want to answer this question, but he desperately needed to know how she felt about what had happened.

“Well, Tori?” he prompted when she didn’t respond after several seconds. “You told me that I could ask.”

“I know. I’m just not sure how to answer. You said it was a personal question, but I’m not sure if I should answer in my perspective or your mother’s.”

“I want to know from your perspective.” Cole was stunned by his response. He’d planned to be careful in this and had unintentionally admitted that he wanted her perspective. But how else would he get it? “Could you ever do something like that?”

“If you were thinking about your mother, why do you want my perspective?”

“I just do. Please, Tori. I really need the opinion of an objective person.”

Tori studied him for a moment. Even in the dark she could see that his question stemmed from years of speculation and pain. But why did he want her to answer in her view, not his mother’s? And should she? After all, doing so could give him the impression that she didn’t mind him wondering about her ability to stay with a man. And she didn’t want to leave that impression since she had no intention of staying around after the renovation of his childhood home.

Maybe she should avoid the subject altogether and tell him about the letter from Carl to Lucinda. No, now wasn’t the time for that. She should probably wait until they were at the mansion where she could show the letter to him.

“Come on, Tori,” he pleaded. “Answer me.”

“Well,” she replied, unsure how to word her explanation, “I know how much it hurts a child when a parent leaves. I also know it isn’t easy for the parent. Dad always had a terrible time dropping us off at home after visitation. He always hugged us so tightly that you would have thought there wouldn’t be a next time. It’s possible that she wanted to get in touch with you but kept putting it off because of the circumstances. Maybe time slipped by so fast that she doesn’t know how to contact you. It’s possible that she’s too embarrassed to or maybe afraid that you and your sisters will reject her after all these years.”

“You’re speculating on Mom’s reasons for not contacting us, Tori. You didn’t answer what you would do.”

“I don’t know what I would do. I’m not in the circumstances, and one should never speculate on what he or she might do. It isn’t possible for one to know how he would react in a given situation.” Nervous about the topic, she decided to change it. “Now wouldn’t it be better if we discussed something more productive than this—like my restoration ideas?”

He studied her silently for what seemed like an eternity then said, “You think she killed my uncle and ran away to hide, don’t you.”

“I didn’t say that!” But she wondered how he could have known what was in her mind.

“It isn’t possible, you know. Mom was a gentle person. She never even raised a hand toward my sisters or me. And I gave her plenty of opportunities. How could she have killed somebody? Besides, she could never have boarded up that wall alone.” Horrified by what he was saying, Tori stared over at him, but he kept his eyes on the road, effectively avoiding her gaze. “No way! Dad and Mom in cahoots over a murder? It’s not possible. Okay, Dad’s temper is even worse than mine, but he would never murder anybody. I don’t care what you think. And there’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. I don’t care what the circumstantial evidence is. Dad just couldn’t do it, and I’ll do everything I can to keep him out of jail.” Cole turned his sorrowful gaze on her again, while Tori stared at him in shock. His rambling was starting to worry her more than she cared to consider. Then he looked back to the road and spoke again, his voice filled with determination. “We said we were going to talk about this at the mansion. Let’s wait until we get there.”

Cole was obviously trying to deny his own suspicions, but now wasn’t the time to suggest it. She would just let him consider his words until they got home.

 ***

        By the time they arrived at the mansion, Tori had a massive migraine from the stress of the day. Digging the keys out of her pocket, she hurried to unlock the house while Cole followed her. She went straight to the front parlor, but stopped short in the doorway when she flicked on the light.

She’d been sure that she left her purse on the Chippendale side table by the door, but it was gone. When she glanced around the room, it was nowhere in sight. Turning around, she bumped into Cole. His hands tenderly grasped her upper arms to steady her then slid to her shoulders.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she replied. “I thought I left my purse in there, but I must have left it in the kitchen.”

“No,” he replied, peering around her, “you left it right here on the … Well, I’ll be darned. I could have sworn you left it right there. Maybe it is in the kitchen.” As they started through the dining room, Cole stopped and grabbed her elbow again. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” she asked.

“That scuffling sound.”

Shaking her head, Tori chuckled. “Cole Marshall, how do you expect to live in this house if every noise you hear makes you skittish? There are rats and squirrels in the barn, and there are probably a few here. The little varmints always find their ways into empty houses.”

“I suppose you’re right,” he agreed with his crooked grin. “We’ll get an exterminator out here as soon as we get that skeleton out of the apartment.”

Tori’s purse was sitting on the antique bucket bench in the kitchen. After taking out her bottle of fiorinal, she got a glass, drew some water, and swallowed the capsule. Then she sat down on a long bench at the large, sawbuck table dating from the Eighteenth Century. While she watched silently, Cole got a Coke from the refrigerator. Sitting down on the opposite side of the four-foot wide table, he leaned forward on one of his forearms.

“Okay,” she said as he sipped his drink, “out with it. Explain that strange conversation you had with yourself in the car.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he returned.

“Oh, yes, you do,” she declared, irritated by his denial. “You were trying to convince yourself that your parents didn’t have anything to do with murder. What happened when you talked to your father?”

“Nothing.”

“Coleman Marshall,” she said maternally.

“Okay, you win.” He shook his head. “Either you sound just like Mom, or I’m imagining it because of where we are. Anyway, a lot happened. He said he didn’t know anything about the skeleton, and I accused him of lying. He was, too. I could tell by the way he was acting. He was real fidgety. That’s when I accused him of killing Carl.”

“What did he say?” she asked, trying to conceal her own nervousness.

“He denied it, of course—but not until after I assaulted him.”

Tori gasped in shock. “You hit your father?”

“Naw, I just grabbed his shirt.” He reached across the table and grasped her hands, rubbing the backs with his thumbs. Wild desire exploded in her. Did he know what he did to her every time he held her hands? Probably not, she decided as he finished his explanation. “But that wasn’t enough for me. I accused him of killing Mom and Claire, too.”

“You should apologize,” Tori said.

Cole shook his head. “I can’t, Tori, because I believe my accusations. I don’t want to, but I do. Dad knows everything about that skeleton, too, right down to who it is and why it was in the alcove. I know he does.”

“That doesn’t make him a murderer.”

“Maybe not, but it does make him an accessory, either before or after the fact. And that’s still a serious crime when murder’s involved.” He paused a moment, gazing at her longingly as he rose to lean against the counter and sip his Coke. “What do you think, Tori? Could it be Carl? Could Dad be involved in his murder?”

“We should call the police, Cole,” she answered. “Let them come up with evidence. All of your presumptions are eating you up inside. You have to stop speculating before you make yourself sick.”

“I can’t call the police until I know how Dad’s involved. And before you say anything, that’s not speculation. His body language is a dead give-away. I can tell by the way he’s been acting that he knows everything. He just won’t tell me.”

“You still have to contact the police. If you don’t, you’ll be in as much trouble as your father if he’s involved. And if he’s not, you’ll be in trouble all by yourself.” She wandered to stand directly before him. “No, not by yourself, Cole. You’re getting Jack and me in trouble, too. Is that really what you want? To involve a friend and a business associate?”

“You’re not just an associate, Tori.” He set his Coke on the counter and caressed her shoulders. “I haven’t thought of you like that for one second. And no, I don’t want to involve my friends.” Then he released her and started toward the door in the short hallway off the kitchen. “I’d better get the hell out of here before I try to convince you to let me stay. You need your sleep, and you probably won’t get it if I don’t go home.”

“Don’t worry. The fiorinal I took for my headache puts me out pretty quickly.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone out here?” he asked in concern as he unlocked the door. “I could stay in my old bedroom if you want.”

“And have a skittish man on my hands?” she teased with a wink.

“I don’t feel right about leaving you here alone. I should do everything I can to protect you.”

“From a skeleton?” She smiled up at him in an attempt to relieve his mind. “You go on. I’ll be fine.”

“Tori?” He gazed down at her with desire gleaming in his eyes and licked his lips slowly. Oh, how she wished he would kiss her! But instead, he simply smiled. “Never mind. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. I know it’s Sunday, but I want to see if I can dig up some dental records on Carl. Don’t forget to be up in time for Jack.”

“I will be,” she agreed. “Good night.”

“Night, Tori. Lock the door after me.”

When she could no longer see his SUV, she leaned her head against a pane of glass and sighed in disappointment. He’d left without a kiss.

 ***

        Tori woke with a start and glanced at the clock on the nightstand beside the antique canopy bed. It was nearly three in the morning. And that was no squirrel or rat she’d heard. It was a bump, like something falling over. She listened carefully. Those weren’t the scuffling sounds of a rodent, either. Those were footsteps!

She padded silently through the house, following the footsteps. As she made her way down the main stairs, the shadow of a man wearing a trench coat moved slowly along a wall illuminated by moonlight. She’d suspected that she hadn’t seen the last of Cole that night, and apparently, she’d been right. He’d probably decided to come back to the mansion so he could protect her without her suspecting. Maybe he’d knocked something over trying to sneak in.

“What do you think you’re doing here, Coleman Marshall?” she called out as she hurried down the rest of the stairs.

The footsteps sped into a run. Still unfamiliar with the house, Tori couldn’t keep up with the man. By the time she reached the kitchen, he was gone. So much for telling Cole that she didn’t want his protection. He’d gotten out of the house without her even hearing the door close.

 ***

Chapter 4, Part 2

Cole couldn’t believe his luck. Although the first four dentists had never heard of Carl, the fifth turned up some interesting information.

“This is Dr. Greenwood,” he said when he returned Cole’s message to his answering service. “What can I do for you?”

“My name is Cole Marshall, Dr. Greenwood.”

“Cole Marshall?” the dentist repeated. “The one on the radio?”

“That’s right, sir.”

“Well, I’ll be. We listen to your program at the office every day. We really enjoy it.”

“Thank you. I was hoping you could help me, Dr. Greenwood. I’m doing some research on a Carl Lucas. Do you know him?”

“I was before he left town. He was a good friend of mine, and he told me that he was going to run off with his sister-in-law. It’s been …” The dentist paused a moment. “I don’t know. It’s probably been twenty years since I last heard from him.”

“Do you still have his records?” Cole asked.

“They’re most likely in storage. I don’t dispose of any records unless I’m sure the person has died.”

“Could I borrow them for a few days?”

“I don’t see why not, but I don’t understand why you would want to.”

“His sister-in-law is my mother. There’s been an accident, and they need dental records both of Mom and Carl to see if they’re the burn victims.”

“Surely, they’ve had dental work over the past twenty years. Everything’s changed by now.”

“It isn’t so much that,” Cole lied carefully, “as it is trying to see if the victims could be Mom and Carl. Apparently, there’s evidence that they were using assumed names.”

“All right, Mr. Marshall. Meet me at my office, and I’ll have the records. By the way, what was your mother’s name? I can see if she was my patient, too.”

“I’d really appreciate that, sir,” Cole said. “Her name’s Lucinda Marshall. I’ll be there in about an hour. Will that be enough time?”

“Give me at least two. I need to go to a storage locker first.”

“Thanks a lot, Dr. Greenwood. I really appreciate all the help.”

 ***

        After finishing cleaning the cupboards and drawers in the mansion kitchen, Tori went to the apartment. There she saw Jack diligently working on some pieces of bone with the equipment he’d brought.

“How’s it going?” Tori asked.

“Slowly,” Jack replied without even glancing at her. “What have you been doing?”

Sinking onto the couch, Tori sighed, suddenly exhausted by everything that had been happening since she got to Charleston. “Cole cleaned the apartment before I came, but he didn’t do anything in the house. I’m pretty the cops won’t find anything here, but I don’t want to risk contaminating anything that came up after I found the skeleton. That’s why I’m staying in the main house. Anyway, I want to buy some groceries later, so I disinfected all the cupboards in the kitchen.”

He glanced over at her then took a second, longer look as he sat back on his knees. Tori turned her attention to her clothing and noticed all the soot on her shirt and jeans. Grimacing, she said, “I also cleaned one of the fireplaces. Is there anything I can help with?”

“No thanks,” Jack said with a smile. “I’ve done about all I can here. I’ll have to take some bone samples back to my office where I have equipment for detailed analyses.”

“You have equipment for doing autopsies at your office?” she asked incredulously. “Why?”

“Didn’t Cole tell you? I work for the coroner as an assistant medical examiner. Mostly doing forensics work and testifying at trials, but I’ve done my share of autopsies, too.”

Tori watched him silently for a moment as he gathered his belongings together. He seemed very friendly now, not at all like their original meeting when he’d been rather distant toward her. Did she dare ask him why he’d appeared so suspicious of her when they’d met? Or should she let it rest and hope that he would come around?

Unable to contain her curiosity, she questioned him slowly. “Why did you act so suspicious of me yesterday?”

Shooting his startled gaze to her, he wandered to the overstuffed chair and sank down into it. “I’m just concerned about Cole. He’s been my friend for a long time. We corresponded every week the entire time he was gone. Then we ended up at the same college. I know him almost as well as I know myself. That’s why I want to protect him.”

“From me?” she asked in amazement.

“He doesn’t trust women because of what his mother did. Since you showed up, all he can think of is protecting you. Frankly, I’ve never seen him treat a woman like he does you. I’m just afraid he’ll get hurt.”

At that moment, Cole burst through the door with a jovial greeting. Tori sighed in relief, glad that he had interrupted. Her conversation with Jack had started down a road she didn’t want to take.

“Here are the dental records,” Cole said as he handed a large, manila folder to Jack.

Accepting the folder, Jack rose and returned to the skeleton. “I have to admit that I wasn’t sure you could pull this off. How did you find the dentist and convince him to give you these records without going into detail?

“I gave him a partial truth,” Cole explained as he sat down beside Tori and draped his arm around her shoulders. “Jack was his good friend, and Jack had told him that he and Mom were running away together. He was a little suspicious that I wanted the dental records because it had been so long. I really hadn’t thought of that when I called around. Anyway, I covered by having him look for Mom’s, too. I wouldn’t even have thought of it if he hadn’t offered.”

When Jack opened the jawbone, Tori shuddered in distaste. How could he be so casual about his work? Beside her, Cole tightened his hold. Gazing up at him, she saw his crooked grin and shook her head slowly. Now what was he planning? The thought had no sooner crossed her mind than Cole’s voice rang pleasantly in her ear.

“So, pal, now that you’ve had a chance to chat with Tori,” Cole asked, “does that she pass inspection?”

“We didn’t talk that much, but she passes. And that’s not necessarily good.”

“I know,” Cole admitted with a grimace. “Dad’s probably going to balk when he meets her.”

“Why?” Tori asked, slightly offended by the remark.

“We have different tastes in women. He thinks I should find somebody he likes and learn to like her myself. I say it doesn’t work that way.”

Tori grimaced. She didn’t like the turn this conversation had taken, either. Not only did she have no intention of getting closer to Cole, she refused to even consider it.. She’d thought she’d made that perfectly clear to him. Now he was talking like this was going to be a long-term commitment at the very least, a lifetime one at the most. Nope, if she could be rational, she wasn’t even going to entertain the possibility. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be rational very often where Cole was concerned.

Determined to keep her distance, Tori pushed away and glared up at him. “I don’t want to be your taste in women. I don’t want to be your father’s taste, either. I just want to be your restoration expert and do my job.”

Cole laughed. “Don’t get on your high horse. I was just stating a fact. Besides, where’s there a law written that says you can’t be both?”

“In my etiquette manual,” she declared. “I don’t horse around with my clients.”

“That’s okay by me. If we decide to horse around, I’ll fire you. Then I’ll hire you again when it’s all over.”

“Damn it, Cole! I’m not that kind of woman.”

“Which makes you all the more interesting.” Across the room, Jack rose with a chuckle, and Cole turned toward his friend. “What do you think?”

“I think you’ve finally met your match,” Jack returned.

Cole gazed at Tori longingly, his green eyes somehow brighter than she’d seen them yet. “I could have told you that, but I was talking about the remains.”

“I know. Say hello to your uncle Carl.”

Cole’s frivolity disappeared in an instant, replaced by a vivid disappointment. Tori’s heart went out to him. She knew that, despite the passing of the years, he still felt the loss. But when he responded, he sounded quite calm. “I was afraid of that. Now I really do think Dad lied to me.”

Tori realized that now was the time to tell him what she’d found. “That might not be the case, Cole.” She hesitated, reluctant to mention her discovery even though she’d brought it up herself. But the men needed to know all the information she had. “Now that we have a positive identification, there’s something you should know. I found a letter yesterday—from Carl to Lucinda. That was your mother’s name, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. What did the letter say?”

“That Carl was staying with Claire because he couldn’t hurt her by running off.”

Cole gasped and stared down at her in horror. “Oh, my God. You think Mom did it. But she couldn’t have, Tori. I told you before that she isn’t that kind of person. Besides, she could never have built that wall. She’s as afraid of heights as I am. She couldn’t have gotten anywhere close to the ceiling to paint the wall, let alone construct it. She probably couldn’t even have figured out how. Dad probably did it. It’s the only logical explanation. What was the date on the letter, and where is it?”

“I put it back where I found it, and there was no date.”

“Mom’s letter to us kids was dated August 1. They could have changed their minds.”

“And they might not have. You have to accept the theory, Cole.”

“I won’t!” he roared. “I’ll never accept such an absurd notion. The whole idea is ludicrous. Why can’t you see that?”

“I’m not emotionally involved. I’m a third party to all of this.”

“So am I,” Jack inserted as he finished packing up his equipment, “and I agree with Cole. Mrs. Marshall was my favorite person when we were growing up. She always welcomed me—even if I just got off the bus with Cole after school. All I had to do was call home and tell my mother where I was.” He picked up his belongings and started toward the door. “Matt’s scheduled to leave work at seven tonight, so I’ll be alone after that. Don’t come by until at least nine, though, in case he’s late or has to come back for some reason. I’ll tell you then what I came up with, and we’ll go to the police with our findings.”

“All right,” Cole agreed as he followed Jack toward the door. “In the meantime, I’m going to have Tori show me the letter she found. Maybe there’s some way I can prove to her how ridiculous her theory is.”

 ***

        As they sat on the 200-year-old Queen Anne sofa in the library, Tori questioned Cole about the letters. “Is there anything in there that will disprove my theory?”

He gazed at her sadly, hating to admit the truth. “No, but I still can’t believe it. My mother just isn’t that kind of person. She would have been disappointed, but she couldn’t have been jealous enough to kill Carl. Besides, maybe Carl wasn’t murdered. Maybe he died of natural causes. Jack didn’t see any evidence of a mortal injury.”

“Think about it, Cole. How many people are boarded up in an alcove after a natural death? Things like that aren’t done. The only logical explanation is murder. You just don’t want to accept it.”

The lump in Cole’s throat grew larger as he stared at her. He couldn’t believe that either of his parents was involved in murder. He sighed heavily and swallowed hard to clear his throat. “How can I accept it, honey? The number one suspect is my mother; the number two suspect is my father. Don’t you see how devastating this is for me?”

Tori took his hand and squeezed it tenderly. “Of course, I do, but denial’s only going to make it harder for you.”

“My mind tells me that you’re right, but my heart can’t accept the evidence.” He paused a moment. Should he say more? Or should he take the chance of making a fool of himself by speaking his mind? If he was going to be honest, it didn’t make much difference. He already felt like a fool for falling so hard for a woman he didn’t know, and that much was already obvious to her. Besides, admitting his confusion concerning his parents’ involvement in Carl’s death might bring her closer to him. And he wanted that more than answers right now.

To still his anxiety, he took a deep breath then said, “Actually, my heart’s never been more confused about life’s unexpected turns than it is right now. I want Dad to be innocent, but I want to believe that he was the one who killed Carl. I want Mom to be innocent, too. Most of all, I want to send you home, but I can’t. Like I said, our lives are entangled, especially now that we’ve unearthed this mystery. You’re as much involved in it as I am, and I can’t protect you if you leave town.”

“You don’t need to protect me,” she countered.

“Oh, yes, I do. And starting tonight, you’re coming to my place. No more sleeping here.”

“I am not leaving,” she denied in her most authoritative tone. “And I’m definitely not moving in with you.”

In her anger, Tori almost blurted out that she’d seen him the night before, but something stopped her. Cole wasn’t the only man who knew where the plantation was—so did his father and Jack. But as far as she knew, Cole was the only person other than herself who had keys to the mansion.

Besides, now that she was thinking rationally again, she wasn’t sure that Cole had been there last night. It could just as easily have been Richard or Jack trying to scare her into leaving. Although, she wasn’t really sure what motive Jack would have for doing such a thing.

Now she was reluctant to bring up the subject to Cole. She certainly didn’t want him to confront either Jack or Richard and accuse him of terrorizing her. That could cause hard feelings all around.

“Why won’t you move in with me?” he asked. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course, I do. It’s just that …”

Nervous, Tori wandered to the window without finishing her sentence. Since she was working for him, she couldn’t tell him the truth—that each time they were together her attachment to him grew stronger. Each time the sparks his touch sent through her increased in intensity, and someday those sparks would start a fire that she could only extinguish in one way.

While she watched his reflection in the window, Cole wandered up behind her and caressed her shoulders. Then he questioned her in a mocking tone. “It’s just what, honey? Just that you like me a little too much? Exactly the way I like you?”

Why did he have to hold her again? she wondered frantically. Why couldn’t he keep his hands to himself? Worse yet, why didn’t she try to get away from him? At least, the last question was easy to answer. She didn’t want to! She liked having him hold her and had no intention of denying herself the pleasure of his caresses. Still, she had to deny Cole everything if she didn’t want to get hurt again.

“You obviously have an elevated opinion of yourself,” she said dryly. “You could use a few lessons in humility.”

Cole chuckled. “I’m just stating the obvious, sweetheart. Even under your tough exterior, it shows.”

Something in the woods about fifty feet from the house caught Tori’s attention. But the shadow was only there for a second. Shaking her head, she chastised herself. She really needed to get her mind off Cole’s coming to the mansion last night because her already overactive imagination had gone into overdrive. Now she was starting to see things.

Regaining her composure, she broke away from him. “Let’s get out of here for a while. You could use a break from the letters so you can see things more clearly. And I need to do some grocery shopping. Let’s go our separate ways for the rest of the day. I’ll meet you at the Tides about nine so we can meet Jack.”

“Good idea.” His expression took on that playful look he got every time he was about to make another comment with a sexual overtone. “I have a few things I need to do this afternoon, too—like talk to Dad. Come to think of it, maybe we should meet at my place. We might run into him at the Tides.”

Shaking of her head, Tori smiled up at him. “Nice try, but I’ll take my chances with meeting your father. If we met at your house, I have the distinct impression that we’d be late meeting Jack, because I’d have to fight off an amorous client.”

“You’re probably right,” he said in a sensuous tone. “Get your purse while I check the locks.”

 ***

        Cole didn’t like what he saw. Jack should be waiting in the morgue lobby, but he wasn’t. And it wasn’t like Jack not to do what he said he would.

“What’s the matter, Cole?” Tori asked.

“I don’t know,” he returned, taking her hand. “Come on. Let’s find his office.”

Several minutes later they came to a room with the door open only a couple of inches. They stopped outside, and Cole listened silently for movement. He heard nothing.

“Jack?” he shouted. “You here?”

There was no response. Tori grasped his forearm with both hands. Her grip was so strong that he knew she was frightened.

“This is spooky, Cole,” she said, her voice cracking. “We’re in a morgue, and there’s not a sound. Maybe we should leave.”

“Don’t worry, honey,” he said as he patted her hand reassuringly. “Nobody here is going to jump out and grab us. Besides, I thought you didn’t believe in ghosts.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t think this place is spooky.”

Cole chuckled as he pushed open the door. “You in here, Jack?” Again he met with silence. He peeked inside. A partially dissected body lay on a table, so he glanced at Tori. “You stay here. Jack’s been working.” Tori nodded silently while Cole stepped into the room. That feeling in his gut that he’d had lately told him that he had to be very careful not to touch anything in case …

Stopping short, Cole stared at the floor about five feet from him. “Oh, my God! Get the hell out of here, Tori. Fast!”

Tori didn’t even think to question him. Terrified by his tone, she raced down the corridor and ran through the front doors, not stopping until she got to his car. Her heart pumped unmercifully as she collapsed back against the Rogue; she panted hard from the mixture of fear and sudden exertion. What had happened to make Cole so frantic?

Chapter 3, Part 2

***

        After Cole introduced Dr. Jack Ramos to Tori, Jack knelt in the rubble and examined the skeleton while Tori and Cole watched from the sofa across the room. Cole remained silent as he sat with his arm behind Tori on the couch. He couldn’t believe this was happening. Twenty-one years ago, he’d been a devastated boy who had lost his mother and his home in a matter of two weeks. Now he wondered if things had moved so fast because his father had lost his temper once too often.

Jack sat back on his knees to face the couple. “Well, Cole, I can tell you one thing for sure. This is a man.”

“Oh, God,” Cole groaned. Could his father have flown into a rage, lost control, and taken out his uncle? Tori caressed his free hand reassuringly. With a smile, he patted her hand in response. “Thanks, Tori, but I’m okay. I already suspected as much.”

“Does that mean you know who it is?” Jack asked curiously.

“Let’s just say that I have an idea.” Rubbing his whisker-stubbled chin, Cole considered his next question. He didn’t really want to ask it, but he had to find out all he could. Cole glanced at his watch. Seven-forty-seven. Richard’s plane should be landing within an hour. By ten o’clock he would be at the Folly Beach Tides, where he always stayed when he came to town. Thank God, there was a free room when Cole called for reservations. Otherwise, Richard would have had to stay with him, and right now Cole had even less patience with his father than he normally did.

“So who do you think it is?” Jack prompted.

“Let me ask a few questions first.” Cole drew Tori closer. Her very presence gave him more courage than he suspected it would have under normal circumstances, and he flashed her a smile before returning his gaze to Jack. “Can you tell me how old those bones are?”

“I can give you a general idea,” Jack replied, “but without specific tests, that’s all I can give you.”

“General’s good enough for me. What is it?”

“I’d say he’s been here for twenty years or so.” Jack paused then asked, “You’re not thinking what I am, are you, Cole?”

Cole shrugged. “I don’t know what the hell to think, Jack. This whole thing is absolutely insane.”

“Don’t give me that crap,” Jack said irritably. “You know as well as I do that the dates add up.”

“Look. Dad and I have been at odds for years. I’ve never made any bo… secrets about that. But until somebody comes up with concrete evidence, I refuse to believe that he’s a murderer.”

“I don’t recall saying anything about him committing murder.”

“Then say it,” Cole demanded, tired of their verbal jousting.

“Okay. It probably was murder, but I didn’t mention your father. There’s no other reason a body would be boarded up in an alcove. But there aren’t any visible indications that was the cause of death. I won’t know for sure until I can run some tests. It could have been asphyxiation or poison. Do you think this is your uncle?”

“We both know it’s likely.” Cole slid his other arm around Tori and hugged her closer. “I know dental records will give us a positive ID, but is there anything else that can? I’d like to avoid going to a dentist about this.”

“The police will …”

Cole cut off his words in a firm tone. “No police, Jack. That’s why I called you. I talked to Dad last night, and he was adamant that I not renovate the mansion. He tried to get me to wait a year when I first inherited it, but I didn’t think anything about it then.  After last night, … Well, let’s just say he sure sounded nervous about me doing this. Before I tell the police what Tori found, I have to confront Dad.”

“Do you know what kind of trouble you’ll be in if you don’t report this?” Jack replied. “And I’ll be in just as much trouble. More. I could lose my license.”

“We will report it—just not right away. I need some time, Jack,” he explained as his friend dropped into the contemporary overstuffed chair near the couch. Dust flew around him, adding to the ominous aura. “I need to see what Dad says. He could be a suspect, so he should know what happened. If he knows anything, maybe I can convince him to tell the cops. He’s my father, for God’s sake. I can’t just let him go to jail. I have to talk to him first.”

Jack shook his head. “You’re not making this easy for me, Cole. There’s only one body here, and your mother disappeared the same time your uncle did. Why can’t you admit what happened?”

Cole jumped to his feet in a rage. “Are you accusing my mother of murder now? It’s not possible, and you know it. She was never a violent person. She never even spanked us kids.”

When he balled his hands into fists, Tori rushed to intervene. Scrambling to stand before him, she laid her hands on his chest and spoke calmly in an attempt to diffuse the tension. “A fight isn’t going solve anything, Cole.”

“But he’s accusing my parents of conspiring in some sordid crime. And my mother would never do something like that.”

“He’s not saying that. He’s just considering all the angles.” She glanced over her shoulder at the doctor. “Isn’t that right, Dr. Ramos?”

“Jack, and I’m just bringing up the same points the cops will. We have to call them—soon.”

As friendly as Jack sounded, his dark eyes conveyed his suspicions concerning her presence. Maybe if she kept her voice calm, he would relent in his distrustful attitude.

“He only wants to talk to his father, Jack,” she said in Cole’s defense. “Is that really too much to ask? Mr. Marshall’s supposed to be here tonight. Why not give Cole a few hours to find out what’s going on?”

“What happens if he wants days, not hours?”

“I’ll call the police myself if he doesn’t.”

Jack studied her for several moments then said, “I’d like to talk to Cole alone for a while. Would you mind taking a walk?”

“Not at all,” Tori agreed as she headed toward the door.

“Tori, no!” Cole called after her. “There’s nothing we’ll talk about that you can’t hear.”

She stopped in the doorway and looked back at him with her half-smile. “Actually, there’s probably quite a bit you can say that I shouldn’t hear. I’ll wait by the cars.”

As soon as Tori closed the door, she wandered toward the cars. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw Jack standing at the window. Then he turned and left. Jack didn’t trust her, although she didn’t know why, and she wanted to know exactly what he said to Cole. Determined to find out what the men said, she rushed back to stand out of sight near the open window.

“How dare you send her away like that,” Cole demanded. “She’s my friend.”

“I didn’t hear her complain,” Jack countered. “Now sit down. I have a few questions.” Glaring at his friend, Cole dropped back onto the couch as Jack asked, “Who is Tori, anyway? Why’s she here?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but she’s restoring the mansion.”

“Is that what she was doing poking around in here? Is that what made her decide to tear down this wall?”

“She was curious.”

“Yeah, right. And I have some land in Florida to sell you if you buy that. Come on, Cole. You’re too smart to be that gullible.” Jack paused a moment to study Cole. Shaking his head, he asked, “How much do you know about her, anyway?”

“As much as I need to if she’s going to restore my mansion.”

“Where did you get her name?”

“She contacted me. She said her architect friend that I’d written to for an estimate couldn’t do the job so he suggested that she put in a bid.”

“Listen to yourself,” Jack snapped. “She contacted you. She knew to knock down that wall. Doesn’t that tell you anything?”

“It tells me that she needed a job.”

“Damn it, Cole. The woman knows exactly what she’s doing.”

“How?” Cole demanded. “She’s only been in town a couple of days. She couldn’t know anything about this.”

“Maybe she’s related to your uncle.”

“You’re grasping at straws, Jack.” Wanting to at least see Tori, Cole wandered to the window. To his dismay, she wasn’t by the cars like she’d said she would be. That could only mean one thing. She was listening to their conversation. Why? Could Jack be right? No, he didn’t believe that for a second. Tori had no reason other than curiosity to have broken down that wall. Turning back to face Jack, Cole questioned him curiously. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“I don’t know what to believe. It’s awfully convenient, though. The first thing she did was tear down a wall that has a body behind it. Surely, you can agree that that’s an awful big coincidence.”

Cole dropped back down onto the couch. “Why can’t you accept that she’s just a curious person?”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Jack said in exasperation. “I don’t trust the woman.  There are too many coincidences surrounding her.”

“Well, I trust her. And since it’s my neck on the line if I’m wrong, I’ll thank you to drop the subject.”

“Is it your neck, Cole?” Jack asked suspiciously. “Or your heart?”

Stunned, Cole stared at his friend. His heart on the line? That wasn’t possible. Jack knew he would never get that involved with a woman, so he must have misunderstood Jack’s meaning. “What are you talking about?”

“The way you look at her; the way you can’t keep your hands off her. If I weren’t here to stifle your feelings, you’d probably be hitting on her this very second.”

“That’s nonsense.” Again Cole wandered to the window. Thank God, Tori had gone back to the cars. She couldn’t have heard the last couple of sentences, so she wouldn’t suspect that Jack could easily be right, especially considering that he himself had doubts about his response.

Turning back to face his friend, Cole said, “I wouldn’t be hitting on her, either. Besides, she was too upset over finding that skeleton. You should have seen her, Jack. She was terrified. She was shaking and crying like you wouldn’t believe. It took me a long time to calm her down. No, I don’t believe for a second that she knew a body was there. She was probably more shocked than I was.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I had a gut feeling that she would find something if she tore down that wall, Jack. I didn’t know what it would be, but I knew it wouldn’t be a pleasant surprise.” Cole paused a moment. “So, what do you say, doc? Will you give me twenty-four hours?”

“Oh, all right,” Jack agreed. “Not a second more than twenty-four hours. In the meantime, I’ll take some samples right here. I can at least start to determine the cause of death. I’ll meet you in my office tomorrow night, and we’ll go to headquarters together.”

“Fine. I’ll walk you to your car.”

 ***

        Cole waited with his arm draped around Tori’s neck until Jack was gone. Then they got into his SUV, and he drove back to the Tides, where they waited for his father in the lobby.

“I don’t know why you insisted that I come with you,” Tori said as they sat together on a couch.

“One reason is that I don’t want you out at the plantation alone,” he confessed, lacing his fingers with hers, “and it’s too expensive to stay here for an extended period. That’s why I want you to stay at my place. I have two bedrooms, and we can store your things in my basement. High tide doesn’t even come close—unless there’s a hurricane.”

“Why shouldn’t I stay at the mansion? It’s not like there are ghosts or anything.”

Tori inhaled sharply as he stroked the underside of her wrist with his thumb. How could a simple, unconscious act spark the strong surge of desire that raced through her? The only thing that kept her logic in control was the rapidly fading memory of a painful relationship. She had a job to do and couldn’t get involved with Cole—no matter how much she would enjoy it.

“Tori?” he asked, bringing her back from her introspection.

Her face heated in embarrassment. “What?”

Grinning boyishly, he said, “I love to see you blush. It’s very old-fashioned, very feminine. You normally have such a cool façade that I forget you’re a capable of expressing those things.” His green-eyed gaze scanned her before he continued. “Then there are times like this afternoon when you were so scared. Beneath your tough exterior lies a soft core that I doubt many people get to see.”

“I suppose that’s true,” she admitted. “But what does that have to do with me staying at your beach house?”

“It’s safer here on the island,” he explained.

“Safer!” she repeated with a laugh. “For heaven’s sake, Cole, you’re by far the most skittish man I’ve ever met.”

“Except for a fear of heights, I never had a skittish muscle in my body until you walked into my life. Now every muscle I have itches constantly—in more ways than one. Why don’t you relent and scratch one little itch by staying at my house?”

Unable to stifle her irritation at his offensive insinuation, she chastised him. “Because I know how men are. If a woman scratches one itch, men think she’s obligated to scratch every last itch they have until they’re satisfied. Then they find another woman to scratch their new itches.” Rising, she glared down at him. “I’m going to watch the ocean. Let me know when you’re done talking to your father. Then you can take me back out to the mansion, because I have absolutely no intention of scratching you. Unless, perhaps, it’s to claw your eyes out the next time you make an asinine, chauvinistic remark.”

She stalked toward the door that led to the ocean’s edge.

Cole rose slowly. She was right, of course. His wording hadn’t been the most appropriate given the situation.

“You sure can raise a woman’s fury, son,” a man said from behind him.

Stunned, Cole spun to face his father. There was a mocking expression on his deeply tanned, wrinkled face, and his green eyes sparkled. Looking at Richard that night was almost like viewing him for the first time. The man had aged a lot over the past six months. Richard was the same height as Tori, but he looked smaller as his shoulders began to stoop. His blond hair was much whiter; his already large nose had become bulbous. What startled Cole the most was the nervous expression that lay hidden behind the smile on his father’s lips.

Could this man have committed a murder? Cole wondered. When he spoke, however, he kept cheer in his voice. He didn’t want Richard to suspect how much it hurt to have Tori walk away. And it did hurt, even though he knew she would be available later.

“I like to keep them guessing,” Cole replied with a fraudulent grin. “Why don’t you check in, and we’ll talk in your room.”

“Don’t you want to make amends with your friend?” Richard asked.

Cole couldn’t restrain the bitterness that crept into his tone. “If you heard what we said, you know that she’s waiting for me. Besides, what I have to discuss with you is much more important.”

While Cole waited impatiently at his father’s side, Richard checked into a room. Following his father to the elevators, he stared at Tori through the corridor windows until he could no longer see her. When had they met, anyway? he absently wondered. It was just two nights ago, but it already seemed like years. Hell, the afternoon seemed like years. It was amazing how quickly one could become attached to another when something tragic happened.

 ***

        Tori stared at the ocean, watching the waves roll in. She didn’t mind that she was getting wet again. In fact, the cool ocean water refreshed her.

It had been unexpectedly devastating to leave Cole alone. He needed her support right now, but she couldn’t give it to him. She’d already embarrassed herself by misinterpreting his words. He’d just wanted to protect her by having her stay in his beach house, and she knew he wouldn’t ask for more. Why didn’t she just agree and save everybody a lot of hassle? Because she was afraid she would lose what was left of her heart to a man she barely knew, that’s why.

But she didn’t feel like she barely knew him. She felt like years had passed since they met. Decades seemed to separate the minutes when they had torn down the wall to expose the tomb.

A new question had arisen, too. Should she tell him about the letter she’d found in the hidden compartment of the antique Queen Anne secretary? She hadn’t wanted to be alone with that skeleton while he went for food, so she’d gone into the mansion to explore. In the library, she’d found the secretary, the hidden compartment in the center finial, and the stack of letters.

It was only the top one she considered telling him about—the last one from Carl. It was the one telling Lucinda that they couldn’t run away together after all. It was the same one explaining that he couldn’t break Claire’s heart.

She’d put the letters back the second she saw Cole driving up the lane. That was awfully incriminating evidence. At the time, she’d thought that the skeleton in the wall could have been Claire. After all, she’d also left the plantation the summer Cole’s parents had divorced. Lucinda and Carl could have conspired to dispose of Claire.

Now everything had changed. Instead of being worried that the skeleton was Claire, she was concerned that Lucinda had murdered Carl in a jealous rage. Tori didn’t know what to do anymore.

***

From the eighth floor, Cole gazed down at Tori as he and his father chatted. He wanted to be with her, not confronting his father about a pile of bones. That’s why he was avoiding the topic.

“Is she still down there?” Richard asked as he joined his son at the window.

“Yeah,” Cole replied. “She won’t go anywhere, either, because I’ve got the car. Was your flight okay?”

“Fine.”

“What about Grace?” Cole asked to be polite.

“Your stepmother’s fine, too. Is that woman somebody you want me to meet? Is that why you called me to come here?”

“I want you to meet Tori, all right,” Cole admitted, wandering away from the window. In the middle of the room, he stopped and folded his arms across his broad chest. “But she’s not the reason I told you to come. She’s the woman restoring the mansion, Dad, and you’ll never guess what she found in the apartment today.”

Richard shifted nervously from one foot to the other and stared out the window. “What?”

“A skeleton boarded up in the alcove.” After a gasp, Richard stared intently at his hands, as though he could find a response there. Suspicious of the reaction, Cole narrowed his eyes. Richard knew something; he was sure of it. “I don’t suppose you have any information concerning that.”

“Absolutely none.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Cole demanded. “Was that man—and it is a man’s skeleton because Jack checked it for me. Was he Carl Lucas?”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, Coleman.”

“The hell you don’t. Did you kill Uncle Carl?” Furious that Richard didn’t respond, Cole grabbed him by the shirt and glared down at him. “Answer me, damn it. Did you kill him?”

“I’ve never killed anybody in my life,” Richard said. “I know you’re upset, but I didn’t kill anybody. I swear it.”

Cole released his father slowly, studying him as he stepped backward three strides. Judging from the guiltless expression on his face, Richard was telling the truth. Now what did he do? Suspect his mother? No, she was too sweet, too innocent, too gentle to commit murder. Besides, she loved Carl. So did Claire. That came back to only one person who could have committed the crime—Richard Marshall. Unless, of course, the body wasn’t Carl’s as he suspected.

“You did it, Dad,” Cole declared. “I don’t know who else could have. If you’ll admit it, maybe I can help you get out of this mess.”

“I’m not in a mess, son. I don’t know anything about a skeleton.”

“I get my temper from you, Dad. So I know what can happen when you’re mad. You could easily have gone into a blind rage when you found out Mom and Carl wanted to run off together. You could have killed him. Hell, you could have killed both of them. And Aunt Claire, too—to keep her quiet. That’s probably why we haven’t heard from them in all this time.”

Cole moved to the door and opened it. He couldn’t bear to stay with his father for another moment. In his heart, he didn’t believe any of them were dead—except maybe Carl, which Jack could determine. He probably shouldn’t have accused his father, either. But he was so frustrated that he didn’t know what to think or do anymore.

 ***

        Stunned that Coleman believed him to be such an evil person, Richard said nothing as his son slammed the door. How could his own son think so badly of him? He needed to make another phone call. If he didn’t, Coleman was going to bring the whole world crashing down on their shoulders. But nobody answered. Something happening that he really didn’t want to know about. Too many coincidences were stacking up, and he had to find out what was going on. It was the only way he could stop the disaster about to strike his family.

Chapter One of My Book

Hello,  everybody. I’m trying this, but I’m not sure how it will turn out okay. Feel free to read my chapters. I welcome all comments, even if you have criticisms. I’m trying to update this book and would love your help.

Thanks to all who want to participate.

 Chapter 1

A storm was coming; dark clouds loomed in the distance; sultry air hung around her. The scene fit Victoria Young’s sense of impending doom perfectly. When the waves crashed onto the shore, the Atlantic Ocean splashed its refreshingly cool shower over her, and she pushed a damp, windblown lock of hair off her forehead. The weather, unlike her sense of foreboding, was probably nothing more than a typical, South Carolina heat-of-the day storm.

With a heavy sigh, she sipped her margarita then stared at it blankly. Why was she drinking, anyway? That wouldn’t take away that ominous feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Coleman R. Marshall had contacted her about a month earlier to restore his family mansion near Charleston after seeing some of her work in a magazine. Almost immediately, an eerie sense about the job had come over her. Now she wasn’t sure she should have accepted the reconstruction project. But she could never resist a new venture in a part of the country she’s never visited.

Despite her excitement at having won this challenging contract, she was worried. Mr. Marshall had explained that the plantation house had been closed up for twenty-one years. He knew that was a long time, he’d written in his letter, and he hoped she could handle such a big job. Obviously, he didn’t know that plantation houses were often left empty for a hundred years or more.

Why had this mansion been uninhabited for such a relatively short time? She could understand the reason before plumbing and electricity. Installing both was a very expensive undertaking in buildings as large as the one he had described. But a house left vacant for twenty-one years should have modern conveniences, possibly even a dishwasher and garbage disposal. Yes, she mused, this should be a very easy undertaking considering her usual reconstruction projects.

Another cooling wave splashed onto her, and she sipped her salty drink. The water had awakened her to two realizations: There was no turning back on this project, and this margarita was much too salty with the ocean water that had splashed into it.

 ***

        Sitting on a stool at BLU’s Beach Bar of the Tides Folly Beach hotel, Coleman Marshall watched the lone woman with interest. Her standing on the beach wasn’t exactly the best idea with that storm approaching. It could come up much quicker than anticipated. When she spat her drink out, he chuckled aloud.

“What’s so funny, Cole?” the female bartender asked.

“See the woman in the white shorts?” he returned, not taking his gaze from her. “She’s been standing like that since I got here a half an hour ago, and she just took a drink. I suspect it’s a tad bit too salty for her.” Cole turned on his stool and faced the bartender. “Do you know what she’s drinking?”

“A frozen margarita.”

“Fix another one, would you? I have a dinner meeting at seven, but it’s only six. I’ve got plenty of time to make a new friend.”

“You’re never going to change, are you, Cole,” she observed as she started mixing the drink.”

“Maybe someday—when I find the right woman.”

 ***

        “Morocco,” a deep, masculine voice said.

Although lost in thought, Victoria didn’t even startle when he spoke. After years of working, sometimes even sleeping, in old houses while she renovated them, she’d become accustomed to sudden, unexpected noises. But she wasn’t interested in conversation, so she barely glanced at the stranger out of the corner of her eye to convey her displeasure at his interruption. “Pardon me?”

“That’s the next body of land you’ll come to if you sail straight from here.” In the brief moment she looked at him again, she saw his gaze wander up her long, slender legs from her trim ankles to the hem of her short shorts. “Unless, perhaps, you hit Madeira first—or some uncharted island.”

She shook her head in dismay. As original a pick-up line as that was, she didn’t want to talk to him. Apparently, her disinterested actions didn’t convey her desire that he leave her alone, because she’d given such a pleasant response, so this time she replied blandly. “I see.” Without thinking, she brought her glass toward her lips then, remembering that it was too salty to drink, stopped short.

“Here.” Another margarita suddenly appeared in front of her face. “I thought you could use a fresh one.”

“Thank you, but I don’t accept drinks from strangers.”

“I’ll admit that there probably aren’t too many men stranger than I, but I’m not a bad sort.”

Obviously she had to tell him point-blank to leave her alone. “Look, mister, …”

“Coleman, but all my friends call me Cole.”

“Fine. Look, Mr. Coleman, …”

Again he interrupted her. “That’s my first name, not my last.”

Stunned, Victoria straightened her shoulders, which forced her to rise to her full five-foot-eleven-inch height. This always put another couple of inches on her because she slumped to avoid appearing as tall as she was. The act usually caused men to leave her alone, but this man didn’t seem a bit phased by it.

Forcing the thought from her mind, she wondered if she had heard him correctly. Had he really said that his first name was Coleman? That couldn’t be possible. But how many Colemans could there be in the Savannah area? Not likely many. Curious, she turned her head toward him saw that he openly assessed her body. Normally, she would be embarrassed by such blatant appraisal, but she was so shocked she couldn’t even think straight.

The first thing she saw after that transient glance to his eyes was his small Adam’s apple, which bobbed as he swallowed. Her eyes followed the collar of his green knit shirt to the tantalizing suggestion of hair that peeked over the two open buttons. His shoulders were broad and well-muscled, his biceps prominent. More like Richard Gere than Sylvester Stallone, she thought absently. She forced her gaze to his face, where his sensuously full lips and strong, square chin caught her attention. Then she moved on to his sandy blond hair. Finally, she brought her gaze to rest on his eyes. They were the brightest green she’d ever seen, and in them she saw his approval of what he was viewing.

Only seconds after she looked up at him, Cole spoke again. “I don’t suppose you have a name.” Another wave crashed on the shoreline and splashed the pair. “Damn! Now I’m wet, too.” He grasped her elbow firmly yet tenderly and directed her off the beach and up to an empty table nearby in the outdoor bar as they continued their conversation. “And I won’t have time to dry out before my meeting.”

“Meeting?” she questioned. Maybe this was the man she was supposed to have dinner with.

He grinned impishly, a crooked smile that Victoria took an immediate fancy to. It transformed his masculine features into those of a mischievous boy.

“Not to worry,” he said. “I have plenty of time for a chat with you. What’s your name?”

“Victoria …” she replied before he interrupted again.

“No last names,” he insisted. “We’re just two people talking on the beach. That way there’s no involvement.”

Okay, buster, she thought with a scowl, if you want to play that way, I won’t tell you who I am.

They reached the table, and he set the margarita on it before pulling out the chair for her. They both sat before he pushed her drink across the white, metal table and said, “Now that you know my name—at least, part of it—you can accept this.”

“Thank you.” She took a sip of the margarita and moaned contentedly as she tapped her other glass. “This is a lot better than what I had.”

Chuckling, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his wide chest to examine her. Her face heated in embarrassment, and she desperately hoped she could calm down before his gaze returned to her face.

“So you say your name’s Victoria,” he said. “You don’t look like a Vicky to me.”

The heat left her face when she heard the sensual tone of his voice. She didn’t like men looking at or talking to her that way, and she had no intention of letting this annoying man get away with it. To block part of his view, she set her elbows on the table and leaned forward a little, icily insisting, “I’m not a Vicky. I’m Victoria, just like I said.”

Cole’s bright eyes widened in amazement. “You mean you actually go by Victoria? How can you stand it? By the time you’ve finished telling people your name, half the day is gone. Nobody should have a name more than two syllables long—and even that’s pushing it.” He examined her again while she took another sip of her margarita. “Well, I’m not going to call you Vicky. That’s a frumpy name.”

Infuriated by his attitude, she glared at him. Why were attractive men so often arrogant, too? He obviously thought by using his charm he could convince her that they would see each other again. She hadn’t given him any indication that would be the case. Letting her voice reinforce her irritation, she questioned him flatly. “What makes you think you’re going to be calling me anything?”

He examined at her for a moment, causing her to wonder what he was thinking. Although his unfaltering gaze made her a bit uncomfortable, it didn’t carry that expression of lust she’d seen earlier. She didn’t know what it was about long legs that attracted men, but she had often wished hers were short and stubby so she didn’t have to see those expressions.

Then his eyes grew even brighter in excitement, and he exclaimed, “I’ve got it! I’ll call you Tori.”

This time her own eyes widened in shock. As badly as she wanted to object, she couldn’t. There had been another man—one from far in her past—who had called her Tori. He’d left her when she was just six years old, vowing to love and visit her as often as he could. But he had died three years later, leaving behind a devastated daughter who swore nobody would ever call her Tori again.

Now the name sounded heavenly. Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes, and although she fought to keep them at bay, one slid slowly down her cheek.

As she sat there, unable to protest, Cole shot her a startled look. “Uh-oh. Looks like I chose the wrong name. Maybe I should stick to Victoria.”

“No.” With a shaky hand, she brushed away the annoying tear that had betrayed her aloofness. “I always liked Tori, but nobody’s called me that in years.”

“Then you don’t mind?” he asked hopefully.

“I guess not.” She glanced at her watch and saw that it was already six-fifteen. “Oh, no!”

“What’s wrong?” he asked, watching in amazement as she scrambled from her chair.

“Nothing.” She paused a moment to decide if she should admit the truth—that she believed he was the man she was supposed to meet for a business dinner soon. No, because she would feel foolish if he wasn’t Coleman R. Marshall. “I just have to meet somebody later. Thanks for the drink, but I can’t finish it.”

“Wait a minute, Tori!” he called as she hurried away.

Despite having heard him, she raced into the Tides hotel without even glancing over her shoulder. Something about that man made her nervous, and his attitude had nothing to do with it. Even the prospect of him being her new client didn’t seem to cause her anxiety.

She needed a shower to clear her mind so she could concentrate on her meeting with Coleman Marshall.

 ***

        Cole absently sank back into the chair and sipped the margarita. He had a feeling that they would see each other again, but he couldn’t understand why. She hadn’t given him any indication that she liked him, even though he had tried to charm her. Despite her distance, he liked Tori. She was a very pretty lady and very tall, which was one of his favorite qualities.

Actually, she was a lot taller than almost every woman or girl he’d ever dated. And she had such unusual gray-blue eyes, separated perfectly by her small nose. Beneath it was a pair of lush lips, full and only slightly wide for her face. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, but there was something about the character of her face that attracted him.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t ease the unexpected wrenching in his gut. It seemed to come from nowhere. In fact, he’d never experienced such a feeling before, and he had no idea how to classify it. All he could say for certain was that he sensed something horrible was going to happen. No, he was sure of it.