Had Melissa lost her mind?
“We need to be realistic.” Melissa’s voice was small.
“We are being realistic.”
“Are we? We didn’t count on court costs.”
Jules swallowed. “We’ll manage.”
“Noah says—”
“What’s with Noah? He’s a carpenter. What does he know about running a restaurant? I know you’re attracted to him, but you’re the one with the business degree.”
The hurt expression on Melissa’s face was clear. “This has nothing to do with me being attracted to him.”
Jules immediately felt terrible. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to figure out why Noah would...” And then it hit her. This wasn’t Noah’s idea.
This idea had Caleb written all over it. It played right into his hand. Caleb had to be using Noah as an unwitting conduit to Melissa, and Melissa as a conduit to Jules.
Jules closed her eyes and gave her head a shake.
“I’m sorry,” she told Melissa, re-centering herself and opening her eyes. There was no point in addressing this with anyone but Caleb. Everyone else was perfectly innocent. “It’s an interesting suggestion,” she continued. “And I shouldn’t have gotten upset like that. But I don’t think we need to give up. Not yet. The easement case may go more smoothly than we’re anticipating. Caleb could even be bluffing.”
Melissa looked decidedly hesitant. “You think?”
“It’s a possibility. Let’s not make any rash decisions.” They were in front of their house, but Jules was too restless to go inside. “You know, I’m going to walk awhile longer.”
“You’re mad at me.”
Jules shook her head. “I’m not mad. I’m sorry if I sounded mad. This is your decision as much as it is mine.”
“It was only an idea.”
“And I only need to clear my head. I’ll just walk.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. I’ll see you in a while.”
Jules wasn’t angry with Melissa. She wasn’t even angry with Noah. There was only one person to blame for this, and he had a lot of explaining to do.
* * *
Caleb didn’t often drink brandy. Beer was his bar beverage of choice. Wine was nice with an elegant dinner, and he enjoyed the occasional single malt.
Brandy was soothing. He supposed it wasn’t often that he needed to be soothed.
He’d signed the paperwork tonight. Tomorrow Bernard would take the documents to the land office and rescind the easement for the Crab Shack. Then, it would be up to Jules to take him to court. She’d need a lawyer. And it would cost her money she didn’t have. And she would probably never forgive him.
Slumped on the sofa in his living room, he stared out at the ocean. Rather, he stared in the direction of the ocean. The clouds were thick tonight, rain splattering on his windows, splashing on the dimly lit deck. Jazz floated from his speakers. The volume was low. Again, it was soothing.
He took another drink of the brandy, hoping it wouldn’t turn to acid in his stomach.
Someone banged on his door. The sound was jarring and annoying.
He glanced at his watch, wondering who would stop by. Matt and TJ wouldn’t knock, and other people would phone or text first.
The sharp, rapid knock came again.
He set down the snifter and rolled to his feet. He supposed an interruption wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Whatever it was might take his mind off his guilt for a moment.
He followed the hall to the foyer and swung open the door.
It was Jules.
She was wet from the rain that was now streaming down hard, and she looked angry. Her glare was punctuated by a rumble of thunder behind her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
He knew she couldn’t possibly know about the easement. Only he and Bernard were aware that he’d signed the documents.
“I need you to be honest with me.”
“Honest about what?” He wouldn’t let himself believe it was the easement.
“About using Noah to push your agenda.”
Caleb was baffled by the statement. “Come in,” he said instead of responding.
She walked stiffly through the doorway, her hair wet, her T-shirt clinging to her body.
“We had a deal,” she said. “You promised.”
“Jules, you’re soaking wet. Come in and dry off.”
“Who cares if I’m wet? Being wet is nothing.”
He ducked into the guest bathroom and retrieved a towel, holding it out to her.
She didn’t take it. “How could you?”
“What do you think I did?” He resisted an urge to dry her hair.
“Don’t play dumb, Caleb.”