Safe Harbor Read online

  She ran her finger over the Formica of the kitchen table. “Thanks for taking care of that.” She glanced up and lowered her eyes. “And for sticking around. I should have told you earlier.”

  “Anytime.” Seth studied her. Melanie’s posture was straight, she spoke clearly, but her voice was soft. Knowing more about her history, he saw her in a new light. Unlike his first impression, he didn’t think she appeared to be afraid so much as shy. Melanie had a quiet confidence that he thought many would mistake for insecurity. He certainly had.

  “I really could have done all this.” She waved her hand toward the doorframe.

  “I know.”

  Briefly, she met his gaze with wide eyes.

  Seth thought her expression looked surprised at his reply. “How about if you break something at my house, it’s your turn to call Willie.”

  “Deal.” Melanie’s smile grew.

  The twist of a smirk returned to her lips, making Seth’s heart flip.

  “I better get back to work. Thanks again.”

  After he saw the door close behind her, Seth opened his computer and studied the photos again. The more time he spent with Melanie, the less he could see of her true self in the pictures. The light in her smile was absent.

  He read through the captions beneath the pictures. Melanie, daughter of Senator Rutherford, speaks to constituents at charity event. Daughter of Senator Rutherford graduated magna cum laude. Senator Rutherford’s daughter follows in her father’s footsteps, giving back to the community.

  Seth pushed his hands through his hair, blowing out a sigh as he realized not one sentence was about Melanie as a person. She was portrayed solely as her father’s daughter. Is that why the light was missing from her eyes? Was she unhappy?

  He shook his head, telling himself to calm down. Stop jumping to conclusions when you have no facts. But something told him he was right.

  Now that he knew more about her, he didn’t see her as a victim but as a woman who was shy and lost in her world. Whatever she was figuring out, she must need to do it here in Lobster Cove as Melanie Owen. And Seth wouldn’t take away that freedom.

  Willie returned with the cut pieces of wood, and Seth helped him tear out the broken frame and replace it, then apply a few coats of paint. The handyman had been right—the doorframe was as good as new in a few hours.

  After saying goodbye to Willie, Seth found a broom and cleaned up the wood shavings. Then, since he had no other reason to stay at her apartment, he took the keys from the hook by the front door to drop off at the coffee house and left, checking the lock behind him. As he walked down the metal staircase, he saw Benny from the city offices had taken a few steps up the stairs.

  When he saw Seth coming down, he returned to the bottom and waited. “Is Miss Owen at home?”

  “No, she’s working. I’m headed over there now if you want me to give her a message.” Seth felt a twist of guilt, knowing that he should stay out of Melanie’s private business, but the need to watch over her won out.

  “Ya, let her know that the co-ed softball team she wanted to start up can’t happen. City Council thinks it’s a great idea, but the recreation department just doesn’t have that kind of funding.”

  Melanie had looked into starting a softball team? That didn’t sound like someone who wasn’t planning to remain in town. And thinking of her wearing a ball cap and coaching a group of kids warmed his midsection. She’d be great at it. Maybe this is just what she needed to feel like she could do things on her own. Seth scratched his cheek. “What about a sponsor?”

  “Yeah, suppose that would work.” Benny squinted and nodded. “Don’t know who, maybe a parent of a kid on the team?”

  Melanie wouldn’t thank him for interfering, but he wanted this for her. He wanted her to be happy, to have the light in her eyes and the sassy grin. “How about an anonymous sponsor?”

  ****

  “Keep running!” Melanie yelled. “All the way home!” She clapped as Joe rounded the last base and windmilled her arms to bring him in to home plate.

  He slid into the base, and the team cheered.

  Melanie looked around the ball diamond and couldn’t hold back a smile. She couldn’t believe the city had approved her request to coach a team, but she was thrilled when Seth came into the coffee shop a few weeks earlier with the news. A few flyers placed in shop windows around town, and before she knew it, fifteen boys and girls were registered.

  Most of the kids that showed up today to their first practice had no idea how to play ball, but they caught on quickly. She was already thinking through the batting order and seeing which kids would be best in which positions. This team would take a lot of work, but the excitement of doing something she loved, and helping others to love it too grew in her chest like a balloon. And best of all, her father wasn’t here to disapprove.

  From the corner of her eye, she recognized a car pull into the park by the baseball diamonds. When she saw Benny driving, she waved.

  Benny climbed out, carrying a large box. Melanie had met him at the city offices once or twice and thought he was probably a few years younger than she was. His hair was dark and a little greasy, but he was friendly in a nervous sort of way. She was glad he was the one in charge of the rec department.

  Melanie blew her whistle, waving her hand to gather the players in the infield. “Okay, team, everyone get a drink, and I think our uniforms are here.”

  With Benny’s help, she handed out jerseys and ball caps, pulling down her own cap on her head. Once hats had been adjusted and each player had a shirt that fit, Melanie stepped back and admired the team in their red jerseys. The Lobster Cove Trawlers was officially a team, and Melanie had done this herself. She wondered if she’d ever stop smiling.

  She spoke for a moment to the parents, passing out practice and game schedules then helped Benny clean up the bags and wrappers from the uniforms. Two hats remained in the bottom of the box. “Benny, you don’t have a hat.” She held one toward him.

  He crammed on the hat. “Thanks. Maybe you should give the other to Dr. Goodwyn.”

  At the mention of Seth’s name, Melanie blinked and her heart skipped. He still came into the coffee house every morning, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, his arrival had become the thing she looked forward to most. She’d even worked out with Carlos to take her break earlier and joined Seth a few times as he drank his coffee.

  Had Benny seen them chatting in the coffee house window? Did he assume she and Seth were in a relationship? Her cheeks heated and she tried to keep her feelings from showing on her face. She glanced at the hat in her hand. “Dr. Goodwyn? Why would he want a hat?”

  “Sometimes sponsors—” Benny sucked in and made his mouth into an “o.” His face turned red.

  “What do you mean, sponsors?” Melanie’s light heart grew heavy.

  Benny shrugged. “I was thinking about something else. Um, can you grab those bags?” He lifted the box and started toward his car.

  She put her hand on the box. “Wait. Are you saying Dr. Goodwyn sponsored the Trawlers?”

  His gaze darted around, not looking directly at her. “Listen, I wasn’t supposed to say anything. He wanted to keep it anonymous.”

  Melanie’s stomach shrank. All the excitement of her team, the pride she’d taken in doing this herself—It wasn’t hers at all. Why had Seth done this? The familiar heaviness settled onto her shoulders. Seth was working behind the scenes, pulling strings that she didn’t even know about. He was taking control of her life.

  The sick feeling grew into a burn, fueled by anger. Why did men think she was incapable of doing things herself? Why did they need to have power over her? She should have trusted her initial instinct about Seth. He was no different than her father.

  Benny grimaced. “Yeah, I really wasn’t supposed to say anything…”

  Melanie could only nod as she decided what to do about his disclosure. Melanie Rutherford would smile shyly and keep her real feelings to herself. B
ut what would Melanie Owen do? She followed Benny back to the parking lot, her mind in a whirl.

  “Need a ride back to town?”

  “I’ve got my bike.” She pointed to where her bicycle leaned against the bleachers.

  Benny put the box in his car. “Hey, listen. I’m really sorry I let that sponsor thing slip. Seems like it upset ya.”

  “Oh no. Not at all.” She willed a smile to her face and shrugged. “Maybe I will take the hat to Dr. Goodwyn. You don’t happen to know where he lives, do you?”

  ****

  After dropping off the baseball equipment at her apartment, Melanie rode through the outskirts of Lobster Cove, admiring the grand old houses on quiet, tree-lined streets. The road left behind the residential areas and followed the shoreline along a cliff. As she rode uphill, her thighs burned, but her fury burned hotter. She didn’t even know if Seth would be home. But at the moment, she didn’t care. She’d camp out on his front porch if she had to.

  According to Benny, Seth had bought a vacation cottage in a hidden cove. She imagined his “bachelor pad”—expensive contemporary furnishings, gourmet kitchen, and high-end art and electronics. And he probably had a sleek sail boat. The very type of person she’d left her old life behind to escape. Why had she let down her guard?

  Beneath the road, various boats bobbed, small islands rose here and there in the ocean, and she heard the far-off blast of a fog horn. She glanced down at the ball cap hanging on her handlebars. If she hadn’t been so angry, she might have stopped to admire the view.

  Following Benny’s directions, she turned onto a road that led through the trees. The forest muffled the crunch of her tires, and she strained harder to push her pedals on the gravel. Finally, she came to an old wooden fence and the turn-off Benny described. She stopped, setting down her feet and breathing heavily. Peering down the road, she couldn’t see any house between the thick trees.

  Turning onto the side road and winding downhill through the shade was a relief. The steepness of the incline made her clench her brakes. And just as Benny had said, the road opened and she was suddenly at sea level. A yellow country house with red shutters and white trim stood alone in the cove. The house was beautiful. And the setting, beyond anything she could have imagined. She glanced back, but the road behind her disappeared into the trees. The spot was secluded with cliffs and forest surrounding. Melanie stopped, completely enchanted by the scene.

  From around the corner of the house, a large golden retriever bounded toward her, barking.

  Melanie put a foot back onto her pedal, ready to ride away if the dog was threatening. “Good dog,” she said. That Seth might have a pet hadn’t occurred to her. “Sit.”

  The dog sat, its tongue lolling out of its mouth and its tail thumping against the ground.

  Melanie relaxed and swung her leg over the bike. “Good, okay then.” Accompanied by her new friend, she walked her bike up the gravel drive and leaned it against the porch rail then climbed up the wooden steps. On a brass plaque next to the front door were the words, “Hyne House.” She wondered about the words, but not enough to ask. This wasn’t a social visit.

  Melanie squared her shoulders, straightened her T-shirt and, taking a calming breath, rang the bell.

  After a moment, Seth opened the door, wearing worn khaki shorts, a blue button-down rolled to his elbows, and a puzzled expression that softened into a smile “Mel.”

  She pushed away the breathless feeling his appearance and the warm way he said her name created. He was the only person who’d ever called her Mel, and she hated that she loved it.

  He glanced down. “I see you met Daisy.”

  At the sound of her name, the dog walked to him and pushed her head under his hand.

  “Come on in. How was practice?”

  Melanie held out the hat. “They sent an extra hat for the sponsor.”

  His brow furrowed, and the skin around his eyes tightened. He took the ball cap and lifted his gaze to the matching hat she wore. “Thanks.” He spoke the word slowly.

  Melanie figured his uncertainty was a sign of guilt. “Why did you go behind my back? You didn’t have to ride in on your white horse and rescue me. I don’t need your help.”

  “I know.” He tightened his jaw.

  “So why?” Tears burned behind her eyes, but she would sooner marry Graham Stewart than let Seth see them. She held his gaze, using every bit of her energy to keep her tear ducts from overflowing. Her breath rasped in short bursts, and she fought to control that as well.

  Seth squinted and scratched Daisy behind her ears. “Have you ever seen Atlantic puffins?”

  “I don’t…what?” His question was so unexpected Melanie could only stare.

  “Puffins. Water birds. They have colorful beaks and come ashore to lay their eggs. This time of year—”

  “I know what puffins are.” She spoke more sharply than she meant to.

  “Have you ever seen them?”

  “No. But I don’t—”

  “Daisy and I were just headed out in the boat. Come with us.”

  Melanie would have stomped her foot if it wouldn’t have ruined every bit of her credibility. “Seth, I don’t want to see any birds. I came here for an explanation.”

  “And I’ll give you one. But I want you to see the puffins.” He turned and walked into the house, leaving the door open.

  Daisy glanced back at Melanie then followed her master.

  His response had completely thrown Melanie off. She’d expected a denial or a half-explanation, something condescending that implied she didn’t understand. Or even anger at Benny for telling her the truth. But she hadn’t expected Seth to be open and cheerful. Out of curiosity, she stepped inside.

  Seth’s house was nothing like she’d imagined: hardwood floors, cozy-looking country furniture, and a large stone fireplace made up the living room. She followed his voice past the stairs to the kitchen and felt immediately warm and comfortable. White cabinets lined the room, and a round wooden table sat in an alcove surrounded by windows. The view of the bay was breathtaking.

  “Thought I’d make us a picnic.” Seth spoke from behind the refrigerator door. He stepped out and set an armful of food on the counter.

  Daisy sat to the side of the island, watching every move he made.

  “Can I help?” Melanie asked.

  “Sure.” He set a loaf of bread on the counter. “Why don’t you wash off the grapes?” Seth opened a cupboard and pulled out a colander, setting it next to the sink.

  Melanie rounded the counter and poured in the grapes, rinsing them off.

  Seth offered a plastic bowl with a lid, and then set a worn-out cooler on the counter. “Sorry, no picnic basket. Daisy and I make do with this old thing.”

  While Melanie filled the bowl with grapes, she watched Seth out of the corner of her eye as he worked in the kitchen. He moved naturally around the space, and she found it fascinating to watch. She’d never seen a man so comfortable in a kitchen.

  Once the picnic was loaded, Seth wiped off the counter with a rag. “Hang on a sec.” He left the room and returned with a plaid blanket and some sweatshirts. Handing them to Melanie, he slung on his backpack, lifted the cooler, and then jerked his head toward a back door.

  Melanie opened it then followed him and Daisy outside. They walked across the wide porch, down the wooden stairs, over a rocky beach to a narrow dock that led about twenty yards out into the cove.

  A boat bobbed at the end of the wooden walkway.

  Seth pulled on the rope to bring the boat next to the dock. He hopped inside, and the dog leapt in after him. “All aboard.” He took the bundle from her and offered his hand.

  Melanie looked from the craft to Seth. It was hardly more than a rowboat with a motor. She placed her hand in his, and heat from his touch flowed over her skin. As she glanced up, her gaze met Seth’s, and she realized how close they were.

  His mouth spread into a slow grin, white against his tan.

  Melani
e’s heart tumbled like it was doing somersaults. She released his hand and sat hard, holding onto the metal bench as the boat teetered. Bending her head forward, she took off the ball cap to let her hair fall and cover her face. Just calm down. She breathed slowly, running her fingers over Daisy’s golden fur and waiting for her flush to fade.

  Seth opened a trunk and handed her a life vest, then put on his own. “I should have asked if you get sea sick.”

  Melanie shook her head and slipped her arms into the vest, buckling it over her chest. She dared a glance and felt heat flood her cheeks at the sight of his grin. She turned, her nerves tingling and wondered how she could feel so comfortable with someone and so nervous at the same time.

  Chapter Three

  Seth unhooked the rope from the dock and started the motor. The propeller kept perfect time with his chaotic heartbeat. To say he’d been surprised when he’d opened the door and seen Melanie on his doorstep was an understatement. She’d looked ready to burst from anger, and a sick coil twisted his stomach when he’d realized Benny told her Seth had sponsored the team. But, he figured she would have found out about it sooner or later. Secrets didn’t last long in a town of this size.

  He steered the boat out of the bay, carefully making his way between clusters of black rocks jutting out of the water, and continued up the coast. The view of the cliffs above with their crest of pine trees never failed to amaze him. But even more awe-inspiring was the sight of the woman riding with him. From his seat in the stern, he saw her lift her gaze to the tops of the cliffs. Her light hair flew behind, looking like a silk curtain. As soon as the thought entered his mind he rolled his eyes. A silk curtain? Really? The effect Melanie had on him was ridiculous.

  Daisy rested her head on Melanie’s leg.

  Seth watched for a reaction, but Melanie just laid a hand on the dog’s head. And the sight warmed his heart. He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to join them. But then again, he hadn’t left her much choice in the matter. Melanie wanted an explanation, and he would have to give it. But for now, he’d just enjoy the sight of her and worry later about what to say.