her head. “What a terrible loss.”
“Yes. Carrie should be the one raising her daughters, not me.”
“In a perfect world,” Lilli said. “But they have you.”
“And she’s an awesome mom,” Nealy interjected.
“As long as we stay away from the beach,” Jenna teased, deflecting the direction of conversation. She didn’t want credit for something she hadn’t yet earned.
“Well, welcome to town.” Lilli smiled. “You’re going to love it here.”
Nealy hooked her arm through Lilli’s. “And we have a new friend to add to our girls’ night out.”
“Watch out,” Max deadpanned.
As the women started discussing the merits of a chic-flick evening at home versus a night on the town, minus their men, Jenna felt Max’s gaze focus on her.
“Is there a problem?” she asked, uneasy with his intensity.
“No. Just thinking about you bringing cookies to Wyatt.”
“He told you?”
“Yeah. He was surprised at the gesture. People around here tend to give him a wide berth.”
“I would imagine it’s because he’s so prickly.”
Max chuckled, then quickly sobered. “That, and he hasn’t gotten over the death of his son.”
“I understand something of how he feels. I haven’t lost a child, but my best friend’s death touched me deeply.”
He cocked his head. “Maybe you could talk to him once in a while. No one can convince him to see a counselor, but since you’re both dealing with loss, he could use a friend.”
Sit down with a man still so deep in grief over the death of his son and talk about...what? Life? Moving on? She barely had a handle on it herself.
“I don’t know.”
“Look, it’s just a thought.”
A thought now firmly planted in her mind.
After the brief visit with Wyatt today, she had to admit, she found herself more than a bit curious about him. His dark good looks were made more interesting by the light beard dusting his face. Most guys in LA paid big bucks for the natural look Wyatt achieved without trying. His broad shoulders and muscular arms told her he wasn’t afraid of hard work. And his eyes. So blue. So troubled. Not that she’d noticed or anything.
Right. Okay, she’d noticed. She was only human, after all. And it had been a long time since a man drew her interest.
But this man? The guy who accused her of not watching the girls closely enough. Granted, he was right, but did she want him holding that over her head? No. Plus, he carried the same baggage, probably more, that she did. Could she deal with his loss as well as her own?
But he had rescued Bridget. The least she could do was consider Max’s suggestion.
Soon, Max and Lilli moved on. Nealy went off to take care of some sort of problem in the kitchen, leaving Jenna alone again. She let out a sigh.
“Overwhelming, huh?”
Jenna smiled at the police chief, Bob Gardener, who everyone simply called the Chief. A tall bear of a man with gray hair and a genuine smile, he inspired confidence and respect in those around him.
“Nealy means well.”
“Think you’ll remember everyone’s name?”
She laughed. “I doubt it, but I’m sure the longer I’m here, the better I’ll get.”
“Stayin’ very long?”
She shot him a sideways glance. “Tryin’ to get rid of me already?”
He chuckled. “No, ma’am. Just like to keep a finger on what’s goin’ on in my town.”
“Hopefully the girls and I won’t give you any trouble. So far we’ve been law-abiding citizens. I don’t see us changing anytime soon.”
“Didn’t think you would.” He hesitated, as if getting his timing right. “Might be worried about others, though.”
Her stomach clenched. “Meaning?”
“Heard you had some trouble with a reporter back in LA.”
By the way he looked at her, Jenna knew he’d done more than just hear the news. “Then you know I have a restraining order. We came here to get away from him.”
He nodded. “If he does happen to show up in Cypress Pointe, I promise, he won’t be hassling you.”
Relieved to have someone in law enforcement on her side, she said, “I’m hoping that won’t happen, but with him...there’s no telling what he’ll do.”
“I’ll be ready.” He smiled, reassuring her again.
Before Jenna knew it, another hour flew by. Much as she appreciated the people who had come out to meet her, she wanted a few minutes to catch her breath. Maybe a walk by the outdoor pool would help.
She’d just started to head in that direction when she noticed Wyatt. When had he arrived? So busy chatting up her new neighbors, she’d missed him come in. Clean shaven, with his hair neatly combed, he was more handsome than she remembered. Her pulse leaped, despite her intention to remain unaffected by the man.
Tonight he dressed in a gray button-down shirt and black slacks, a far cry from his work clothes. He stood in a far corner of the room, clearly uncomfortable. She bit her lip. Should she go to him? Attempt small talk again? The decision was taken out of her hands when Max approached Wyatt, handing him a bottle of beer. They spoke briefly before Max rejoined his girlfriend. Curious, she watched as Wyatt looked down at the bottle then set it on a nearby table before walking outside.
Okay, she really should leave the man to his solitude, but when had she ever left a hurting person alone? Never. And she wasn’t about to start now. She strode across the room, grabbed the bottle and followed him outside.
* * *
WYATT TOOK A deep breath of the humid August air. He hadn’t shown up for any public gatherings since arriving in Cypress Pointe, and here he was with real shoes on, even though they pinched. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn anything but boat shoes.
He’d convinced himself that Jenna’s promise of her secret mac and cheese recipe drew him here, but he knew better. He simply wanted to see her again.
So far he hadn’t spoken to her. From the moment he arrived, she’d been monopolized by one person after another. Since he’d already had the pleasure of meeting her, he’d wait his turn.
Pleasure? As much as the word had become foreign to him, it fit meeting Jenna. Like no one had done in a long time, she piqued his interest. Was
