Strawberry Kisses (A Rocky Harbor Novel Book 2) Page 22

  Rachael shook her head and laughed. “I like being at your house. It gets me away from work for a little bit.”

  “So you’re using me for my house?”

  “And your body,” she teased.

  “That’s more like it.” Jake twirled his keys around his fingers. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to stop at Lowes to price out a few things. My kitchen needs a serious renovation and I’d love your opinion.”

  “A kitchen remodel? You haven’t mentioned this before.” Rachael shoved a pair of jeans and a T-shirt in her bag.

  “I was lacking motivation.” He smacked her butt lightly. “Let’s get a move on. I can’t watch you fly around your room holding silk underwear and not toss you on your bed. You have less than thirty seconds to get out of here before we rumple your sheets.”

  ***

  While Jake was at work on Wednesday, Rachael met Lucy for lunch. The invitation surprised her, Lucy not being much for a lunch date kind of girl. Drinks. Coffee. Donuts. But not lunch.

  Dressed in a black slacks and a funky patterned top, her sister did not resemble the pierced punk rocker look she’d donned for the first five years as a Riley. Working for Sage had helped her clean up her attitude and her look, without losing her artistic style.

  “I’m glad you invited me to lunch, Luce. This is nice.” They’d met at a local Subway shop, so Lucy had to know the nice wasn’t a reference to the fine dining, but the time together.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here. I did some research. This is all I could gather in such a short time, but I’m still working on it.” Lucy slid a manila folder across the table. Rachael eyed it with confusion.

  “What is it?”

  “Open it.” Lucy waved her sandwich in the air before chomping down and chewing loudly. “I’m decorating this hot shot lawyer’s office downtown. Haven’t met him yet, but his secretary is cool. At first I thought Scotty was hitting on me, asking me out all the time, but he’s gay. And totally hot. Too bad. Anyway, he’s kind of like a personal assistant to Gary Shepherd—”

  “I’ve heard of him before.”

  “Yeah. He does a lot of high profile cases. Not that we have many in Maine, but when we do, he’s on it. Anyway, Scotty does research for Mr. Shepherd and said he’d do some digging. Looks like the statute of limitations for a car accident is six years. You said Julia Morgan’s accident was six years ago?”

  “Almost six and a half. Seven in May.”

  “Yeah, so the Morgans are technically out of time. Or close to it.”

  “I’m not seeing how this is helpful.”

  “Technically. Scotty is familiar with dickhead Dylan’s family. Class act snobs. His daddy’s some well-known tech dude. They won’t want their name or reputation tarnished in any way.”

  “Still not following you.”

  “We get Shepherd to file a case, fighting the six year law, go to the media, put some pressure on the Whites. Play the pity card with Julia. No offense, but she hasn’t been able to communicate much, you said, right? Now that she is and she can communicate what happened that night, the Morgans could have a case.”

  “Isn’t that blackmail?”

  “Yeah. So. You gotta play dirty sometimes.”

  Rachael thumbed through the thick stack of reports. It was too much to read now but she’d take it to Jake tonight. “This was really nice of you, to help Julia, but the law seems pretty cut and dried.”

  “Shepherd is good. If it’s high profile, he’ll want it. He can do the cold case angle. New evidence and all. At least, that’s what Scotty says. I dunno. I’m just the messenger.”

  “You’ve spent a lot of time with this Scotty guy to help Jake’s sister.” Touched at Lucy’s actions, Rachael held a fist to her mouth to stop the tears.

  Lucy shrugged and finished her sub. “Not a big deal. Like I said, I’m at the office a lot and Scotty and I have been hanging out at night. I told him about Julia’s case. I didn’t use her name or anything, but told him the situation. He wants dickhead Dylan to pay as well. Like I said, he knows his family and says they’re a bunch of pretentious pricks.”

  Dylan had never introduced her to his family. All she knew was they were wealthy and not involved with their son’s life, with the exception of sending him money at his beck and call.

  Eager to share the news with Jake, she hugged her sister when they parted and sent a quick text asking him to come home early if possible.

  “Hey, Blondie. I thought you’d be naked on the kitchen table by now.” Jake kissed her and she gently pushed him away.

  “Later. First, look at this.” She handed him the file and poured them both a glass of wine.

  “What is it?”

  Rachael filled him in on Lucy’s connection and waited while he thumbed through the papers. She’d spent the afternoon highlighting certain paragraphs and data that connected more closely to Julia’s case. She tapped her feet in excitement. Finally, Dylan would pay and Julia could have the medical treatment her family couldn’t afford.

  “Holy shit.” Jake swallowed his wine in one gulp and continued to flip through the pages. When he set them down again he had tears in his eyes. “We contacted a lawyer after her accident, but he couldn’t do anything since the police reported the cause to be the driver’s fault. It’s been so long. I don’t know how we can prove Dylan White had anything to do with it.”

  “I dug into the White family and made some discoveries of my own. The whole family is shady. If this Shepherd guy is as good as they say, he may be able to make them squirm.”

  “Blondie.” Jake pulled her on to his lap. “I appreciate what you and your sister are doing, and I want the snake to pay for the rest of his life, but my family doesn’t have the kind of money to hire a lawyer like Gary Shepherd. The medical bills are so massive they’ve nearly lost the house. Twice. It was practically paid for before the accident and they refinanced. Took a second mortgage. They’re tapped out. And so am I.”

  “I’ll find a way to help as well.”

  Jake lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “You’ve already done so much. Julia’s made great progress since meeting you. She blew me away the other day at the park.”

  “I want to help. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Hey.” He turned Rachael’s body so she straddled him, taking her face in his hands. “You don’t owe us anything. I’m an ass and will never forgive myself for making you feel any of this was your fault. I didn’t believe it when I said it. Those were angry words and I took my frustration out at you because you were closest to me. You being here with me, spending time with Julia, is more than I can ever ask for.”

  She cherished his words but still wanted to move forward. “Do you mind if Lucy pushes this with Scotty? He’s Shepherd’s secretary and is the one who provided her with this info. She didn’t disclose any personal information, just described the situation. It can’t hurt to ask, can it?”

  “I love you for fighting for my sister.”

  “She’s a big part of your life, so that makes her important to me as well. I like her and have fun with her.”

  “Wait until she gets her competitive streak back. You won’t be saying that any longer.”

  “I look forward to it.” Rachael rested her forehead against his shoulder. “This could be a huge break for your parents as well.”

  “Okay, Blondie. Let’s do it.”

  ***

  In less than three weeks, the amazing Gary Shepherd rounded up enough evidence, much of it circumstantial, to bring the case against Dylan White before a judge. With his father’s status as one of the top CEOs in a technology firm, the last thing he wanted was a family scandal. Between Julia’s toxicology report, the numerous eye witnesses who saw Dylan leave with Julia on May 13th, Rachael’s eye witness account, and the police report she filed last year, Shepherd was able to stretch a few things and put the fear of God in the Whites and their attorney, settling quickly and quietly out of court.

  The only th
ing the Morgans asked for was help with the medical bills. Shepherd wanted to sue for at least a million over the cost of past, present, and future bills, but Jake’s parents weren’t after a profit. They just wanted to make ends meet and get the best care possible for Julia.

  Thankfully Rachael never had to face Dylan. He hadn’t even come to Maine, his father and family’s attorney taking care of everything, wanting to sweep the incident under the rug before the media got a hold of it.

  The Morgans and Rileys celebrated with a family gathering at the Rocky Harbor Inn, potluck style. All of Rachael’s family, except for Colton and Blake, came to celebrate as well.

  “You’re an angel,” Lesley said to Rachael for the umpteenth time.

  “I wish winning the case meant Julia would recover faster.”

  “She’s made great strides the past few months, even with us having to cut back on some of her therapies. Now she’s able to work with all the specialists she should have been seeing all along. They don’t think she’ll recover completely, but we’re thankful for every day we have with her.”

  “She has a wonderful support system at home. I’m sure that’s worth more than the best specialists you can hire.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  “Mind if I steal my…girlfriend away?” Jake looped his arm around Rachael’s neck placing a kiss to her head.

  He led her to the edge of the lawn overlooking the ocean. The foliage had peaked, the trees on the islands across the bay making a beautiful backdrop to the bright blue sky and gentle waves. Dressed in jeans and a thick sweater, Rachael shivered as the ocean breeze blew cool air across her face.

  “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

  “Isn’t that a song or something?” Rachael teased.

  “No, it’s a Jake Morgan original.”

  “Right.” Smiling, she faced the love of her life, studying her reflection in his adoring eyes. “And I love you right back.”

  “You better.” Jake nuzzled her neck, keeping his hands clasped around her waist and resting slightly above her butt, their bodies rubbing but not X-rated. Yet.

  Aware of their possible audience on the grass a ways behind them, she wiggled seductively into his groin.

  “Babe.”

  “Yes?” she asked innocently.

  “This isn’t how I had planned on doing it. I didn’t want to have a raging hard on in my pants. I’m a little more tactful than that. A little.”

  “Well how else do you plan on doing it?”

  “Babe,” he growled before plunging his tongue into her mouth and tasting her like a starved child. When she needed air, he withdrew, panting wildly. “I didn’t bring you out here to grope you.”

  “No? What did you plan on doing, then?”

  “This.” Jake dropped to one knee in front of her, holding her left hand. “Rachael. God, you’re breathtaking. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

  Gasping, she brought her free hand to her mouth, tears already streaming down her face and over her fingers. She’d never seen anyone or anything so beautiful as Jake on his bended knee in front of her.

  “Blondie, don’t cry. You know I don’t do well with tears.” He closed his eyes tight and breathed slowly. Taking his free hand to rub the corner of his eye, he huffed out another breath before looking up. “I’ve done nothing in life to deserve you. You’re kind, strong, confident, independent, intelligent, and can cook as well as you make love. You’re as sweet as a summer strawberry and I’m as dark as…dark chocolate? I don’t know what I’m even saying right now. I had it all planned out. Thought up a bunch of food analogies but I’m drawing a blank. You do that to me. I look into those fascinating, caring blue eyes and I’m lost.”

  Jake stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a square cut diamond. “Get lost with me every day, Rachael. Marry me? Please?”

  “Oh, Jake.” Rachael nodded and wiggled her finger as he slipped the ring over her knuckle. “Yes. Yes I’ll marry you. And you’re not lost. We found each other. We’ll never be lost again.”

  She leaned into kiss him and he stood, keeping their lips locked until he started laughing. “What’s so funny?” Rachael pulled back and studied his face.

  “That sounded like a cheesy soap opera. Get lost with me? That wasn’t in my original script.”

  “It was perfect. You’re perfect. I don’t care how cheesy you sound. I love you and am never letting you go.” Rachael grabbed on to his hair and yanked him in for a rough kiss.

  “Oh lordy. They’re at it again. Get a freaking room!” Lucy yelled across the lawn.

  “I take it she said yes?” Graham called out.

  “You told them?”

  “Nope.” Jake smirked. “I asked them. They all gave their blessing. All six of them.”

  Rachael did the math. “Six?”

  “Your mom, brothers, and sister.”

  “You talked to Colton? And Blake?”

  “I needed to make sure they wouldn’t beat me up at the wedding. They even promised to show up in monkey suits and everything.”

  “You’re going to wear a monkey suit for me?”

  “I’ll wear anything for you.”

  “I prefer you naked.”

  “Babe.”

  Epilogue

  “I want my wedding to be just like Maggie and Graham’s.” Rachael scrolled through the photographs from her brother’s wedding, making notes of the flowers and simple, elegant touches Maggie and Sage had incorporated. Blake had flown in the day before and left the day after, but had enough time to form a strong bond with Jake. It was the perfect day.

  Rachael looked around the room at her girlfriends and family and a smile tugged at her heart. This was something she always dreamed about as a little girl.

  “I’m sorry I missed it. CJ’s been sick a lot lately.” Ellie opened another bottle of wine and placed it on the table.

  Mackenzie was the first to reach for it, filling her glass then topping off Maggie, Rachael, Ellie, Sage, and Lucy’s. The women had formed a close bond over the past months.

  “Hey, Ellie. What do you think about opening up the inn as a wedding site?”

  “That sounds like a lot of work.”

  “You have a beautiful view. I could have your backyard booked all summer long.” Sage tapped her top lip with her perfectly manicured finger and went to the kitchen window. “A white tent in case it rains or to keep the bright sun from frying the bride. Once the gazebo is fixed up it would be the perfect place for the vows. I like it.”

  “Woah, woah, woah. That sounds like a lot of work. I can’t even make breakfast for my guests.”

  “You have Rachael for that,” Lucy said, refilling her wine glass.

  “Jake’s and my wedding can be a trial run. Of course I’ll have to run it by him first. I don’t think he’ll mind.”

  “Men typically don’t want much to do with the planning. I’d say it’s a safe bet.” Sage pulled out her phone and typed in notes.

  “I don’t know.” Ellie paced the kitchen, shaking her head.

  “You won’t have to do a thing. All you’re doing is offering up your backyard and a powder room. The weddings will be catered, all the dishes rented. It’s a win-win for you. A great business deal.”

  “You think?” Ellie twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

  “I love the idea.” Rachael hopped out of her chair and squeezed Sage in a quick hug before taking Ellie’s hands in hers. “I’d be honored to have my wedding here. And think of the business you’ll rake in by hosting other weddings and events. Oh, Ellie, this is going to be so much fun!”

  “Okay, I’m game. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be. Booking and cleaning rooms seems all I’m good at.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Lucy,” Rachael reprimanded.

  “I may be new to the interior decorating world, but I know talent when I see it. You’ve done a hell of a job with your room makeovers. I was hoping to talk you into letting
me have a hand at redesigning some of the guest rooms, but they look fab. I wouldn’t change a thing. The place needed upgrading and you did that all on your own.”

  Lucy was not the kind of girl who doled out compliments, so this litany of accolades was extremely out of character. Sage’s lips twisted in a sly grin and Rachael’s heart raced with happiness. Her sister-in-law had helped Lucy grow into a beautiful young woman. Not a term anyone would have used to describe her punk rocker sister a few years ago.

  The rest of the night, the women pitched ideas for Rachael’s wedding as well as ways to promote the Inn in a different capacity. Her life had done a one-eighty. Who would have thought in less than a year that she’d come out of hiding, fall in love with a tenderhearted badass tattooed biker, and be planning her wedding with a bunch of girlfriends?

  Watching Luke and Sage’s love story and then Graham and Maggie’s made Rachael believe in love again. And, of course, having Jake rescue her was the icing on the cake. She wanted all her friends to experience the euphoric sensation of love.

  Lucy was still young and Rachael didn’t think Mackenzie was ready to settle down yet. Ellie, on the other hand, had a longing in her eye as she ooh and ahhed over the wedding details. No one knew the details of CJ’s father, if Ellie had been married, widowed, divorced, or always a single mom. While they all wanted to know, respecting boundaries was what made a Riley a Riley.

  If Ellie wanted to talk, she knew the girls would listen. Rachael spent the most time with her, using her kitchen to bake for local shops and host her Kids in the Kitchen classes. In the past few months Ellie never once alluded to a man in her life, just that Rocky Harbor held a special place in her heart. There was a story there.

  While she may not be able to cook, Ellie had a gentle side to her, most likely from being a single parent to an adorable little boy who was sick a lot. There was spunk and compassion and a realness to her that made her an instant friend to all the women.

  There was a love story buried inside and Rachael was set on bringing it out. Maybe she couldn’t connect Ellie to a long lost love, but she had a brother who needed a woman’s touch. Colton came back a shattered man and he needed someone to help bring out his humor and personality that got lost in battle.