Chapter 15

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

More than a week after her killer headache, Ashlyn was still feeling great. She’d seen her doctor and her MRI had come back clear. She had to admit, she was relieved she didn’t have a brain tumor or something. Looking up reasons why she’d had such a bad headache on the Internet wasn’t the best idea. According to the websites she’d looked at, she probably had brain cancer.

Luckily, it was neither. Her doctor had talked about some things she could do to try to stop the headache from getting so bad if it happened again, namely not pushing herself to finish out her workday and taking ibuprofen immediately. He’d also prescribed her some of the same drug Slate had given her, since it worked so well this last time.

It was a Tuesday, and Ashlyn was on her way to James Mason’s house. It was his eighty-ninth birthday, and she and Slate had made him a special cake last night. It had killed her to not say anything yesterday, when she’d delivered his usual meal to him. She’d wanted to surprise him. And not only with the cake.

Ashlyn had talked to Carly, and she’d wholeheartedly given her support for what she was going to talk to James about today.

When she pulled up outside his house, she saw Aiden’s Chevette parked in the narrow driveway next to James’s house. It wasn’t surprising, since Tuesday was one of the days Aiden came over to help out, but it was early, and she didn’t think he usually arrived until after lunchtime.

Too excited to be concerned about Aiden’s schedule—she didn’t always arrive at her clients’ houses at the same time every day either—Ashlyn carefully picked up the cake from the passenger seat and closed the door with her foot, heading toward the front door.

Holding the cake with one hand, she knocked on the door.

Aiden opened it with a scowl on his face. “What are you doing here?”

Taken aback by his brusque greeting, Ashlyn didn’t immediately respond. She took a moment to study the man. He looked a little worse for wear. His shirt was dirty and wrinkled, his face was pale, and he seemed a little…twitchy? He was clearly out of sorts.

Deciding to ignore his attitude, she said cheerfully, “It’s James’s birthday. I brought him a cake.”

“I didn’t know it was his birthday,” he mumbled as he opened the door for her.

“Yup. Eighty-nine.” Ashlyn stepped into the house and saw James standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. He didn’t look very happy either…but as soon as he saw her, he smiled.

“Hi, Ashlyn. What brings you by today? It’s not Wednesday, is it? I lose track of days.”

“Nope. It’s Tuesday. A very special Tuesday. I couldn’t let it go by without coming to wish you a happy birthday and bring you cake!”

James beamed. “How did you know? I didn’t tell anyone,” he said.

“I know all,” Ashlyn said mysteriously. She wasn’t about to tell him she’d specifically asked Lexie to look up when his birthday was a while ago, because she was curious.

“I haven’t had a birthday cake in a good while. Ever since my beloved Angie died,” James said softly.

“Then I’m extra glad I came by today,” Ashlyn told him.

“I’m gonna go,” Aiden said from behind her.

She turned around. “Oh, you don’t want to stay and have some cake? I didn’t mean to chase you off—”

“It’s fine,” James interrupted.

Surprised at the stern tone of his voice, Ashlyn stood in the middle of the room between Aiden and James, suddenly feeling awkward.

“I’m sorry,” Aiden said quietly, speaking to James. “It won’t happen again. I’ll see you on Thursday.” Then he turned and opened the front door and let himself out.

“I’m so sorry, James. Did I interrupt something?” Ashlyn asked cautiously.

James looked sad for a moment, then shook his head. “Nope. It’s good. Aiden hopefully learned a lesson today. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. Now…what kind of cake did you make me?”

Ashlyn wanted to ask more questions about what happened with Aiden. What “mistake” he’d made, precisely. But she also didn’t want to upset James.

“Black forest, what other kind would I make for you?”

James beamed once more. “My favorite,” he told her.

Ashlyn knew that, which was why she’d made it for him. She’d heard plenty of stories about the cakes his wife used to make him every year. His favorite one to tell was the time she’d sent him a box of black forest cupcakes for his birthday when he was deployed on a ship, and they got lost in transit and didn’t get to him until a week after his birthday. They were stale and mostly crushed, but James still swore they were some of the best cupcakes he’d ever eaten.

Personally, Ashlyn was surprised he didn’t get food poisoning, but she’d kept her mouth shut about it since it was obviously one of James’s fondest memories.

She walked into the kitchen and put the cake on the small table. She held a chair out for James, and he sank into it gratefully. She scooted the glass of water that was on the table closer to him, but he shook his head.

“No. Get me a fresh glass. Please,” he said a little belatedly.

Wondering what the problem was with the other water, Ashlyn simply nodded and brought the apparently not-good glass to the sink and dumped it out. “I’ve got a better idea,” she said, opening the fridge. She pulled out a bottle of Bikini Blonde Lager, brewed by the Maui Brewing Company, from the back of the top shelf.

She held it up. “I think a birthday celebration calls for a beer, don’t you?”

James looked at his watch. “It’s not even ten,” he said.

“So? I won’t tell if you don’t. Besides, you have big plans to drive somewhere today?”

He chuckled. “Nope. And a beer sounds great. I forgot I had that in there.”

Ashlyn popped off the top and put the bottle on the table in front of him. Then she leaned down and kissed the top of his head. “Happy Birthday, my friend.”

He grinned at her.

Ashlyn felt a little teary, and she turned away to get some plates and forks to hide her emotion.

A little later, as they were each digging into a second piece of the delicious cake, Ashlyn decided it was time to give James his next present. “So, I was thinking. And before you say no, hear me out.”

James tilted his head in curiosity at her words.

“My friends Carly and Jag are getting married on Thursday. It’s a very laid-back thing they’re doing at Duke’s. You know, the restaurant down at Waikiki? I was wondering if you would go with me. Be my date.”

James stared at her in disbelief. “What about your young man? I’m guessing he’ll have something to say about me going with you.”

“Yup, you’re right. He does. He’s all for it. I already talked to him about asking you to come. And Carly’s excited to meet you. And Jag has no problem with you coming, either. I know you have to be bored, maybe even a little sad, sitting here in your house alone all the time.”

She held her breath as James thought about her invitation.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” he said after a moment. “I don’t walk so good, and I can’t do stairs without help.”

“You are never a burden,” she said sternly. “And there will be tons of people there to help you if you need it. Have you been to Duke’s before?”

“Been to Duke’s? Girl, I’m eighty-nine years old and have spent most of my life on this island. Of course I’ve been there. Their hula pie is the most amazing thing—after black forest cake, of course. I met Duke Kahanamoku a few times, you know.”

“You did?” Ashlyn asked, fascinated.

“Yup. He was the sheriff of Honolulu when I was a boy, and he liked to visit the beach and chat with the kids who were there surfing. He died in nineteen sixty-eight, and I was there when his ashes were scattered into the ocean he’d always loved.”

“So? Will you come?”

James looked her in the eye. “Are you sure it wouldn’t be an imposition?”

“Not at all. I promise. Carly and Jag are keeping things very relaxed. After the ceremony, a huge spread of food will be laid out, and I’m sure there’ll be a ton extra. In fact, I know there will be, because Carly specifically told me she wanted lots of leftovers so some could be donated to Food For All. Heck, I’ll probably be delivering Duke’s entrees all of next week. Please say you’ll come.”

“I haven’t been down to Waikiki in forever,” James said wistfully.

Ashlyn held her breath.

“If you’re sure I won’t be a pain in the butt, I’d love to come,” he said at last.

“Yay!” Ashlyn exclaimed. “Slate and I will be here to pick you up around eleven on Thursday. I know that’s a weird day to get married, but that was the only day Duke’s had the space available for rent. And don’t dress up. This is Hawaii, and Carly’s made it very clear that if anyone shows up in anything stuffy, she’s gonna kick ’em out.” Ashlyn smiled at him. “I actually bought you a Hawaiian shirt the other day for your birthday. It’s in the car, I’ll bring it in before I leave. I couldn’t carry it with my hands full of cake. It would be perfect for Thursday.”

James narrowed his eyes. “You had this all planned,” he accused without heat. “What would you have done if I’d said no?”

“Convinced you otherwise,” Ashlyn said without missing a beat. Then she got serious. “I’m not close with my parents, James. They fought a lot when I was growing up and preferred to yell at each other rather than try to get along for my sake. I never knew my grandparents. I might be overstepping…but you’re like the grandfather I never had. I’m fascinated by the stories you’ve got of growing up here, and the wars you’ve lived through, and I’m only sorry I never got to meet your wife. I feel as if I lucked out when you signed up for Food For All meal deliveries.”

James’s eyes filled with tears, and he blinked quickly and played with the crumbs of cake on his plate. Ashlyn felt a little emotional herself. She gave him time to compose himself.

“I’m the lucky one,” he said after a moment.

“We both are, then,” Ashlyn said.

She stayed another half an hour or so, laughing and joking with James. He oohed and aahed over the shirt she’d bought for him, and said he loved it.

When she knew she couldn’t delay leaving if she was going to finish up her food delivery rounds, she reluctantly stood. “Remember, eleven o’clock on Thursday. Wear the shirt I brought. No gifts are necessary, and be ready for a great time chillin’ on the beach.”

“And lookin’ at pretty girls in bikinis,” James said with a smile.

Ashlyn giggled. “That too.” She hugged the sweet man, hating how frail he felt in her arms. “Happy Birthday, James.”

“Best birthday I’ve had in years,” he told her, returning the hug.

After Ashlyn got him settled in his chair and made sure his phone and the remote were within easy reach, and after she put another slice of cake on the table next to him for later, as well as a large cup of water with a straw, she finally left.

She sent Slate a text as soon as she got into her car.

Ashlyn: He said yes!

Slate: Good news, babe.

Ashlyn: Yeah. He even said he’d wear the shirt I got him. And he loved the cake.

Slate: You had a good morning.

Ashlyn: I did. How’s yours going?

Slate: Busy.

Ashlyn frowned. She had a feeling she knew what that meant. Slate and the rest of the guys were getting ready to be deployed again. She hated that it was going to happen so close to the last deployment, but as Slate reminded her, they didn’t get to choose when terrorists decided to be assholes. They just had to be ready to act when they were.

At least they wouldn’t be leaving before the ceremony. It would be awful if Jag had to miss his own wedding, causing a delay.

Slate: Drive safe today.

Ashlyn: I will. Am I still coming to your place tonight?

Slate: Yes. I don’t know when I’ll be getting out of here though. Use the key I gave you this morning and make yourself comfortable. Don’t worry about dinner for me. If I’m too late, I’ll grab something on the way home.

Ashlyn grinned and looked down at her keychain. She’d been stunned when Slate had handed it to her that morning, before they’d left her house. They’d discussed her coming over to his place later that evening, and he’d nonchalantly taken the spare key off his keychain and given it to her. She wasn’t moving in or anything, but it felt like a huge deal that he’d given her a key to his place.

Ashlyn: Don’t stop and get crap. I’ll make an egg casserole. It’ll be full of protein and good stuff, and it’ll keep until you get home. If you’re too late, we can just heat it up.

Slate: Sounds good. But, babe, don’t wait for me. You’ll be hungry, so eat when the casserole is done.

Ashlyn: Fine.

Slate: And don’t pout.

She laughed out loud. He knew her too well.

Ashlyn: I’m not pouting. How can I pout when it’s James’s birthday and he said he’d come to the wedding on Thursday?

Slate: You can’t. See you later tonight.

Ashlyn: Later. Have fun storming the castle.

Slate: Babe, this isn’t The Princess Bride. We aren’t storming anything.

Ashlyn: But you’re planning the storming.

Slate: You’re a dork.

Ashlyn: Yup. I’ll let you go. I need to burn some rubber to get all my deliveries in.

Slate: No one’s gonna care if you’re late. Be safe.

Ashlyn: I will. Bye.

Slate: Later.

Ashlyn was so happy, her mind busily poring over the deliveries she had to make, what ingredients she needed to get at the store after work to make the casserole, and how excited she was for Thursday.

She didn’t think twice about the odd interlude between James and Aiden. But later, when she looked back on the day, she’d realize that she should’ve asked more questions.

* * *

Aiden sat in his car and scowled at the fuel gauge. He was almost out of gas and had no money to get more. Just as he had no cash to get his next hit. His dealer refused to give him his usual stash without payment. Just because he hadn’t been able to pay him back when he said he would the last two times, that didn’t give the asshole the right to deny him!

It was the old man’s fault. If he’d drunk the fucking water Aiden had given him, instead of getting all paranoid, he would’ve been snoring away before the bitch arrived…and Aiden would have the money he desperately needed.

No one in his life understood how awful it felt to be dope sick. No one cared. He didn’t need a thousand bucks, he just needed a hundred. Enough for a couple hits. And the old man didn’t need the damn money. All he did was sit on his ass all day, letting the cash pile up from his Navy retirement and social security.

He’d just wanted the old bastard to sleep, so he could look for another stash in the house. Aiden had taken as much as he dared from the two places he’d already found. He knew there had to be other hiding spots.

But he’d gotten careless, and James saw him crushing a sleeping pill into his water. He’d confronted him about it. Wanted to know what the hell he was doing. Aiden had no choice but to admit to putting drugs in his water, but he was pretty sure he’d done a convincing job of making James think it was because he was worried about him, since he hadn’t been sleeping well.

It was probably a good thing the bitch showed up. It gave James something else to think about other than Aiden’s motives. But now the old man was suspicious, and would be more alert than ever.

If he got fired, Aiden was screwed. He needed the money hidden in James’s house.

Since he couldn’t go back until Thursday, he’d have to figure out some other way to get money. Probably panhandle again, which sucked! But he’d do whatever it took to get enough cash for a hit. He wouldn’t be able to last until Thursday, when he may or may not be able to steal more money from the old fart.

Eighty-nine years old. Jesus, Aiden hoped he didn’t live that long. What was the point? You couldn’t walk well, couldn’t do much but sit around and watch TV and sleep. Ridiculous.

Aiden would have to get sneakier about drugging the guy so he could search his place. There was more money hidden, Aiden had no doubt. And he needed to find it. Would find it. No one was going to stop him either. Not James, not the bitch…no one.