“I promised Evan we’d go boogie boarding in the ocean today. I would really love it if you’d go with us. I know it’s not a very romantic date with a teenager around, but at least we’d be together.” He reached for her hand.
“Do you think I’d miss a chance at going to the beach with you? I’d love to, but if Evan would rather have time alone with you, that’s totally fine.” She suddenly realized that despite how she was feeling last night, she really was okay with being excluded. She’d miss him, but how could she feel anything but good about the man who was doing right by his son?
“I’m sure he won’t mind, but if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll check with him when I get home. But you’ll need to find your phone if you want to know the answer.”
“I’ve got muffins,” Leanna called from Amy’s deck.
Caden waved. “Thanks, but I’ve got a long run back.”
“I can drive you home,” Bella offered.
“That’s okay. Enjoy your friends, and I’ll text you when Ev gets up.”
He kissed her goodbye, and before she joined the others at Amy’s, she retrieved her phone and listened to Caden’s message from last night.
Hey, babe. Sorry about tonight. I miss you, and I wish you were climbing into bed beside me and falling asleep in my arms. Call me when you get a chance.
She texted a response. I would have given anything to fall asleep in your arms, but we did the right thing for Ev, and that’s what matters most. One day it’ll be our turn. Xox. She read the message again, then deleted One day it’ll be our turn before sending it. She didn’t want to seem too eager, even if her heart was already hoping for a future.
Chapter Seventeen
ONE DAY YOU’LL do just that. BTW, Evan said it’s cool. Meet us here around ten? Xox.
Bella read Caden’s text message for the tenth time in as many minutes. He was hoping for a future as much as she was. She sent him a text saying ten was fine. Then she showered and packed her beach tote, excited to spend the day with them.
An hour later, Evan answered the door wearing a blue bathing suit that hung to his knees. “Hey. Come on in.” Evan smiled as he stepped aside.
“Hi.”
“Dad’ll be out in a second. He’s on the phone.” He waved to the couch. “You can sit down if you want.”
“I’m okay, thanks. Are you sure you don’t mind if I come along?”
He flashed the same easy smile as Caden’s. “Nah. It’ll be fun. I’m gonna grab a shirt.” He disappeared down the hall.
“Great.” Caden’s voice came down the hallway. He stepped into the living room clutching his cell phone.
“Hi.” Bella crossed the living room, and the irritation in Caden’s eyes stopped her cold. “What’s wrong?”
Evan appeared behind him, arms over his head as he slithered into his T-shirt.
“Ready, Dad?”
Caden looked from Bella to Evan. “One of the guys called out sick today. I’ve got to cover his shift.”
“Man, that sucks,” Evan said. “I was looking forward to going.”
“I can still take Evan. I mean, if you want to go while your dad’s at work.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Caden’s tone softened.
“Do you mind, Dad?” Evan asked, surprising them both.
“Do I…? No. I think it’s great if you both want to go. I’m just pissed that I won’t be there.” He reached for Bella’s hand. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“A day at the beach with Evan is hardly a hardship.” She glanced over his shoulder at Evan. “Evan? You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m in.” He grabbed a beach towel from the kitchen table and slung it over his shoulder. “Do you have our boogie boards?”
“I’ve got them in the truck. Why don’t you go grab them and we’ll be right out.” He tossed the keys to Evan.
Caden placed his hands on her hips and drew her close. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Duty calls. I’m glad he wants to go. It’ll be fun, but I’m sorry you have to work.”
“Low man on the totem pole for a while.” He kissed her forehead.
“Like everything in this world, you’ve got to pay your dues before you can rise to the top. Luckily, there are no dues to be paid in boyfriend world. You’re already on top.”
He pressed his cheek to hers. “Speaking of on top…” He nuzzled against her neck and sent a thrill through her body.
“Careful making promises you can’t keep.”
“Oh, I intend to keep it.” He covered her mouth with his, and his kiss filled her with all sorts of delicious promises.
The door swung open, and they both took a startled step back.
Evan crossed his arms and shook his head. “It’s not like I don’t know you two kiss.”
Bella felt her cheeks flush.
Caden cleared his throat. “Cells don’t work on the beaches, so call me when you guys leave? The shift is from eleven to seven, and if he gets too mouthy, just bring him home.”
“Dad,” Evan snapped.
“I’m kidding,” Caden said. “Sort of. Behave, okay?”
Evan rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Bella loved that Caden cared enough to say it, but she was pretty sure it was unnecessary. Evan seemed like he was in a fine mood, and she probably handled teens better than she handled adults.
“We’ll be fine. Anything I need to know? Rules for the ocean?” Even though Bella wished Caden was going with them to the beach, she knew they’d have fun and she was glad for the chance to spend time with Evan. Maybe she could find out what types of things were going on in his teenage brain and help ease the rough spots.
“Evan’s a good swimmer, but you know, just keep an eye on the undertow and look out for sharks, of course.”
“Can we go? Please?” Evan tossed Caden his keys before heading out the door.
Caden caught the keys in one hand, then pressed a soft kiss to Bella’s lips.
“Have I told you lately how great you are?”
“No, but between that and the promise of you being on top, the day’s looking better and better.”
“GRANT. COME IN here, will ya?” Chief Bassett waved him into his office.
“What’s up, Chief?”
“Have a seat. We’ve got a lead on the thefts.” Chief Bassett pushed a stack of papers across the desk. “An eyewitness put two teens hanging around the Dunes the day of the theft.” The Dunes was a cottage community in South Wellfleet. The property was heavily treed, making visibility from the road into the community nearly impossible.
Caden scanned the report.
“Can they identify them?” Caden asked.
“No. But this confirms what we’ve thought all along. Kids looking for trouble.” Chief Bassett locked his hands behind his head. “Now we just have to catch them.”
“Chief, the description is pretty vague, don’t you think? Two teenage boys with darkish hair.” Caden met his serious gaze. “That describes half the population. That even describes Evan.” The thought made his gut ache. “Thankfully, he was home with me last night, so that’s one Wellfleet teenager off the list.”
“I know. It’s not much to go on, but when you’re out on patrol today, spend your free time trolling the rental communities and the beach parking lots. See if anything stands out. They’re hitting cars and cottages during the day, with a few rare exceptions, like over at Healy’s.”