Six Hours Away Read online

  “How does one secure one of those huge boats?” Robin asked.

  “I have no clue. But Ben does.”

  “I hope the whole thing just goes around us. Or weakens.” Sara shook her head. “I love being back in Florida, but I’d forgotten how much work storm prep was.”

  Robin frowned as she looked up the hurricane forecast on her phone. “Well, that’s not good news.”

  “What?” Sara’s eyebrow rose.

  “The storm has gotten a bit stronger. Still a tropical storm, though, not a hurricane. Yet.”

  “Still predicted to hit north of here?” Charlotte frowned.

  “So far.”

  Robin took a last sip of her tea and let out a long sigh. “I should get back to work.”

  Charlotte stood. “And I should go to the marina. And we still need to finish getting the shutters up on the bungalow.”

  “Jay helped me get some of them up earlier today. Let me check on things here, then I’ll meet you back at the bungalow and we’ll finish those,” Robin said. Just another thing on the long list of things to do.

  “I’m going to find Noah and see where he needs me. Shuttering the house, or prepping the community center.” Sara stood. “Here, hand me your glasses. I’ll get these washed up.”

  Robin hurried off through the inn. She found Jay in the kitchen wearing one of his ever-present t-shirts. This one proclaimed—Dinner provided with a side of sarcasm. He flashed her a smile as she entered. He held out his arms, and she walked into his embrace. He held her close for a moment before letting her go. “You doing okay?”

  She smiled up at him. “I am now.”

  “We put out sandwiches for the few guests who are still here. Some are leaving early morning.”

  Dana, the assistant cook, walked into the kitchen and up to them. Robin scooted away from Jay. No one even knew they were a couple yet.

  If Dana had noticed how close they’d been standing, she didn’t say anything. “Jay, why don’t you go? I’ll get things cleaned up after the sandwiches are gone. And I have another batch of sourdough bread rising that’s almost ready to bake. I’ll bake that up, then head out.”

  “You sure?” Jay asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Let’s go.” Jay led Robin out of the kitchen. “So, where do you need my help?”

  “I need to check with Lillian, but if there’s nothing pressing here, I need to finish getting shutters up on the bungalow.”

  “I’m your man.”

  “You are?” She grinned, still not used to the fact that after five years they’d finally gotten together as a couple. It was all still so new. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in about fifteen minutes?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  She went to find Lillian, a small smile on her face, still feeling the warmth of his hug.

  Robin and Jay worked side by side, finishing putting up the shutters on the bungalow. If she never screwed on another shutter it would be too soon.

  “I can finish them. Why don’t you go inside? You look beat.” Jay took the shutter from her hands.

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Of course you can. How about you go in and make us some iced tea? It won’t take me long to finish these last few windows.”

  She was too tired to argue with him. She went inside and looked in the fridge. Luckily Charlotte had made a big pitcher of sweet tea. Perfect. She washed up at the sink, though she really craved a cool shower. She poured them tall glasses of tea, and as she sat down at the table—so thankful to finally be off her feet—Jay came inside.

  “All finished.”

  He washed his hands at the sink, then dropped onto a chair across from her.

  Robin pushed his glass across the table. He took a large gulp of tea and slid the back of his hand across his mouth.

  “Thirsty?” she teased.

  “Yes. Very. It appears this storm prep is thirsty business.”

  “Robin? You here?” Charlotte called out as she entered the bungalow.

  “In the kitchen.”

  Charlotte walked into the kitchen. “You got the shutters all up without me.”

  “Jay helped.”

  Charlotte turned to Jay. “Well, thanks. I think you’re my favorite person. After dragging the beach chairs and umbrellas in and helping Ben at the marina, I’m about done in. Now that I’m back here on the island, I remember how much I detest storm prep. I think I’m just going to head to bed. After a nice long shower. It’s so muggy out there.”

  “It is.” Robin nodded. “Well, good night. See you in the morning.”

  “Night.” Charlotte disappeared down the hallway.

  Jay leaned back in his seat and eyed her. “So… we’re still going to have that official real first date, right?”

  “Sure. But it will have to wait until after the storm.”

  “Have you told Charlotte or Sara about… us?”

  “Not yet. It’s just… so new. I was going to tell them while we were working on bringing all the beach things in at the inn, but… well, we were talking about the storm and Lillian’s wedding and…” She shrugged. “I didn’t know what to say. Hey guys, Jay kissed me. I think we’re a couple now?”

  He tossed a lazy grin at her. “Something like that.”

  “It’s not that I care if people know… it’s just…”

  He reached across the table and covered her hand. “It’s okay. It’s a lot all at once, isn’t it? We can wait to tell people.”

  “You keep pulling me into your arms like you did in the kitchen and everyone will figure it out.” She turned her hand over and laced her fingers through his.

  “I’m pretty sure Dana has it figured out.” Jay nodded. “But I don’t care who knows it. I want everyone to know it. Robin Baker is my girl.”

  “Your girl?” She tilted her head.

  “I don’t know the proper thing to call it. My girlfriend? My significant other?”

  “You can call me whatever you want.”

  “How about if I call you the woman I love?” He stood up, came around the table, and pulled her to her feet. “And I’d like to kiss that woman.”

  “That sounds like a practical idea.” She nodded soberly, hiding a smile.

  “I’m nothing if not practical.” He leaned down and kissed her.

  She slipped her arms around his waist and pulled him close, never wanting to let him go.

  Chapter 3

  Mason and Zoe grabbed sandwiches when they got back to the inn.

  “I managed to snag a couple bottles of wine on my way back into town. Want to eat on the balcony of my room and have some wine?” Mason offered. “I got my same room again. I’m right next to yours.”

  She quickly hid a delighted smile. He’d be close. Right next door to her. And honestly, with an almost empty inn, she’d like having him close. That was all it was—the fact the inn was almost empty. The thought rang a bit false even as she tried to convince herself.

  “That sounds good. But would you mind if I grab a quick shower first?” She knew she must look like a bedraggled cat after all the exertion of putting up the shutters.

  “No, that sounds like a good idea. Could use one myself. So, say twenty minutes? Oh, wait. Is that enough time?” He laughed. “I have no clue if that’s enough time for you. Women take more time to get ready, right?”

  Zoe smiled. “That’s plenty of time for me.” She hurried into her room and took a cooling shower, washing away the heat and grime of the day. She grabbed a clean pair of shorts and one of her favorite t-shirts. The blow-dryer sounded too hot and like too much work, so she’d let her hair dry on its own.

  She headed to Mason’s room, and he opened the door immediately when she knocked. He stood there in clean khaki shorts and a t-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. His damp, precisely cut hair framed his temples, and his mouth broke into a welcoming smile. “There you are. Good. I’m famished. I set us up out on the balcony.”

  She followed him
out onto the balcony, welcoming the breeze blowing in from the sea. She settled into a chair and he sat across from her.

  He raised his glass. “For a job well done at the community center.”

  She clinked her glass with his, then took a sip. The wine was a delicious, full-bodied red, just like she liked. Had he remembered that from the few times they’d gone out? She set her glass down on the small cafe table.

  “I was lucky to get this mini-suite again… though Lillian said most of the guests have checked out due to the storm. I like the room, though. There’s a tiny kitchenette. A fridge that I filled with beer. There’s a coffee pot, and I picked up some Sumatra coffee. You know. Essentials.”

  “Ah, essentials. Wine, beer, coffee.”

  “I also picked up nachos, pretzels, and apples.” His face crinkled into a wry grin.

  “But of course. More necessities.” To be honest, with the great shape he was in, she would have pictured him more of a health food nut, following the newest healthy eating trend.

  As they ate their dinner, she relaxed and enjoyed their easy banter. She liked that about being with Mason. It was easy. Comfortable. And yet, she could feel the underlying tension between them. Was he thinking about their kiss this morning as much as she was?

  After they finished their meal, Mason took the dishes inside. They moved to a pair of Adirondack chairs and sat sipping their wine as the sun began to sink on the horizon.

  “It’s hard to imagine a storm is coming. It looks so peaceful out there.” She stretched out her legs and slipped off her sandals.

  “It does. I’ve never been through something like this. We don’t get hurricanes in Seattle. Or tornados. Our big worry with natural disasters are earthquakes, but even those are usually mild.”

  “Hopefully this storm will stall at sea and weaken.”

  “So you know these are coming and you have days and days and days of just waiting and watching?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Ever get used to it?”

  “Not really. But it’s a reality we live with.” She shrugged.

  They finished their wine, and she stood. “I guess I should head back to my room.”

  “So soon?” He jumped up and stood beside her. “We could walk down to the shoreline. Watch the waves in the moonlight? I’m all… wound up.”

  Who could resist that impossibly impish grin? She hadn’t wanted to overdo her stay with the invite to his room. But now he was suggesting a walk to the beach. Sounded perfect to her.

  “I’m a bit wound up myself. It’s always an uneasy time waiting on a storm. Let’s go to the beach.”

  They walked down through the inn, across the deck, and out onto the beach. The stars were beginning to come out as the sky darkened, and the moon rolled its silvery beams down toward the beach.

  He took her hand in his as they crossed the sand. She looked down at their interconnected hands then back up to find him staring at her. His eyes twinkled.

  “You know what, Zoe Birch? I’m pretty darn happy I decided to stay on the island.”

  “You know what, Mason Jones? I am, too.” A warm glow spread through her. Though, she did feel just the tiniest bit guilty at feeling this happy with the storm approaching and the work and chaos it was causing. But for now, for this moment, she was just going to enjoy being with Mason.

  Mason stood on his balcony long after he’d walked Zoe back to her room. She’d unlocked her door and stood there, looking… beautiful. He really should have kissed her again.

  Why hadn’t he?

  What a mistake. He’d certainly wanted to.

  This morning’s goodbye kiss had seemed… appropriate… due to the situation. They thought he was leaving and probably wouldn’t see her again. But now he was on uneasy footing. It’s not like they were officially dating or anything. If she lived in Seattle, it would be different. He would for sure be asking her out. Asking her out often. But now?

  He stared out at the vast display of stars twinkling above him.

  Now what?

  He really enjoyed spending time with her. Even if it was just putting up hurricane shutters.

  She’d looked beautiful in the moonlight tonight. Her hair had finally air-dried and drifted around her shoulders in the slight breeze. It had taken all his control to not just wrap her in his arms and kiss her. Run his fingers through that hair of hers.

  He let out a long breath. This was why it was easier to just casually date women. That was so uncomplicated. This thing with Zoe—whatever it was—that was complicated.

  He just wasn’t sure about… anything. Wasn’t sure of the timing. Wasn’t sure how things actually stood between them.

  The one thing he was sure about was he wasn’t a man who liked feeling unsure.

  Chapter 4

  Robin found Jay in the kitchen at the inn early the next morning. Lillian was in the kitchen, too, so Jay just gave her a quick smile and a wink. A smile spread across her face. Her heart sang with delight, blissfully happy with the simple, shared smile.

  “We’ve decided to just put out a buffet breakfast this morning for the few guests who are still here.” Lillian lifted a tray of cinnamon rolls. “It’s easier on everyone. We let all the guests know last night that all food would be buffet-style until after the storm.” She headed out the door to the dining room.

  Jay glanced toward the door where Lillian disappeared. He leaned down and before she knew it, he gave her a quick kiss. “Morning.”

  She loved the sound of his voice. The deep, sexy tones. The way that one word seemed to say so much.

  “Morning.” She reached up and touched his face, but then quickly brought her hand to her side, looking around the kitchen to see if anyone was watching.

  His mouth curved into a smile. “So, did you come to swipe a cinnamon roll?”

  “I did. And coffee. I so need coffee before I tackle this day.”

  “Come sit at the counter by me while I work and you inhale coffee.”

  She grabbed a roll and the coveted cup of coffee and went to sit next to him as he worked, frying up an immense amount of bacon. It was so nice to be back to being friends. She’d missed their chats in the kitchen while he worked. Well, she guessed they were more than friends now, but still friends. She watched as he scrambled up eggs and placed them in a large metal serving dish.

  “Got to run this out to the buffet and put it on the warmer. Be right back.”

  She swiped a piece of bacon—then a second one—while she waited for him. Who could resist bacon?

  Jay grinned when he came back in and saw her plate but didn’t say anything. Dana came and grabbed some more flour for the bread she was making.

  Lillian returned with a frown on her face. “Robin, did you take yesterday’s deposit to the bank and drop it in the night deposit box?”

  “I didn’t take it to the bank, no.”

  Jay whirled around. “Is money missing again?”

  Dana dropped the bag of flour on the counter. “Oh, sorry.” She picked it up, looked at Lillian, then hurried back to her work station.

  “Yes, there is. And I got that new safe with the new combination.”

  Jay turned to Dana. “Could you run this tray of cinnamon rolls out to the dining room? And check to make sure there’s enough coffee.”

  Dana came over, got the tray, and left the kitchen.

  “We don’t need everyone knowing what’s going on.” Jay nodded in the direction Dana had gone, then held up his hands. “Not it. You never told me the new combination.”

  Lillian rolled her eyes. “Which is silly. Of course, I’d trust you with the combination, but I understand after Sheriff Dave accused you of stealing the money last week why you wouldn’t want to know the new one.”

  “How is someone getting in there to get to the money?” Robin frowned.

  “I don’t know. I’ve even been locking my office door when I leave, along with locking the safe.”

  Jay turned back to Lillian and frown
ed. “We put in those keycard locks on the doors to the inn that lock at night so guests have to use a card to get in or out. How is someone getting into the inn?”

  “I don’t know.” Lillian shrugged. “And I’m not going to call the sheriff again. Not after I told him the last missing money was found.”

  “Only it wasn’t. You were just getting the sheriff to quit thinking I took it.” Jay eyed her.

  “Maybe we should put a video surveillance camera in the office?” Robin suggested.

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll pick one up today and install it.” Jay nodded.

  “Let’s keep this quiet. Not tell the staff. There’s enough on everyone’s minds with the storm.” Lillian sighed. “And I just heard that they think the storm may hit as a category one hurricane now. So we’ll get strong winds being on the edge of the storm. The forecast shows the storm going even more north of us right now. Let’s hope it stays that way. Not that I wish ill on the coastline above us.”

  “I hope it does slip north of us,” Jay said.

  Robin slipped off the stool. “I should get to work.”

  “I’ll catch you later.” Jay smiled at her. That smile again.

  Lillian left the kitchen as Dana came back in, her face creased in worry.

  “Everything okay?”

  Dana snapped her chin up. “Yes, just need to get more food out there. And the storm… it’s making me a bit jumpy.”

  “They do that. It’s all the waiting and watching to see what’s going to happen.”

  Dana nodded in agreement, but still looked worried.

  Robin hurried off to her office to see what was next on her long list of to-dos.

  Zoe filled her plate—probably with too much food—but she was famished this morning. There was no resisting Jay’s cinnamon rolls. She looked around at the few filled tables and saw Mason wave to her.