Shady Bay Read Online Free Page B

wallet. “Here. Get something to eat and find a place to stay for a few days.” With his hand, he extended a pile of twenty dollar bills.
    “No. I’m fine. Really. I can’t accept that. I...I’m just looking for work and haven’t been able to find anything yet. But I’ll be okay.” I smiled and tried to believe what I was saying so that he wouldn’t see through the lie that had just slipped so velvety through my lips.
    He laid the money on the small night stand beside me and replaced his wallet. “It’s cool. I want to help. And I won’t say anything to Jax. But I’m sure Celeste knows. She knows everything.” On the last word, his eyes widen dramatically before he bursts into maniacal laughter, wiggling his fingers in the air.
    What in the world? Before those words could leave my mouth, he’d packed and zipped his bag and was closing the door behind him.
     

     
    I could hear talking, but it was muffled. A few minutes later, Dimple walked in carrying a Pepsi and some cut strawberries in a bowl. “Hey, Celeste told me to bring this to you.” He put both on the small end table beside me and then helped me sit up in the bed. I had to restrain myself. I wanted to chug the bottle until the sticky, syrupy liquid flowed like a river down my chin, stuffing strawberries into my mouth between greedy drinks. Instead, I sipped the sugary soda like a normal person, my hands shaking in concealed restraint.
    “Thanks.”
    He pulled a wooden rocking chair over from beside the window and sat beside me. “You okay? You’re shaking like a leaf?”
    “Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry.”
    “Don’t apologize. I was just checking on you. Brody left and he’s the expert, but I can call him back over any time.”
    “How do you know him?”
    “He’s my best friend.” Jaxon smiled and it damn near lit up the room.
    “He was really nice. Thank you for calling him.”
    “No problem.”
    His eyes studied me for a long moment. I started squirming. His eyes weren’t scrutinizing or judgmental, but seemed genuine and curious.
    The door of the room opened and Celeste came in with a tray of hot steaming food—a grilled cheese sandwich, cup of chocolate pudding, another full of coffee, a bag of cool ranch Doritos. I’d already inhaled the strawberries while talking with Jaxon, but my hunger hadn’t been sated. Saliva pooled in my mouth and I prayed none had leaked out and dribbled down my face.
    “Here , Mercy-girl, Brody said to feed your headache.” She winked.
    My mouth gaped open. No one called me Mercy-girl except for Daddy and she didn’t know him. There was no way.
    “How did you...?”
    “I’m a medium, dear.”
    “A medium?”
    “Psychic, fortune-teller, spiritualist... Medium.”
    “Oh, um...”
    “It’s okay. It’s a lot to take in. Your Daddy sure does love you, baby girl.”
    I looked from her to Jaxon praying she’d keep quiet about Daddy’s current residence. She handed the tray of food to Jaxon and winked again. “Well, enjoy. I’m going to head back to sleep. Early morning appointment. I’ll wake you in a couple of hours. Brody’s orders.” She smiled, wrinkling the skin all over her kind face.
    “Oh, I’ll be fine. Please don’t wake up just for me. I’m good.”
    “No, sweetie. You aren’t good. But you will be.” She put her hands on her hips. “And don’t sass Mama Celeste! I will wake you up in a couple of hours. Then again in a couple of hours after that until that big ball of gas rises up over the ocean and the birds start singin'. Got it?”
    “Yes , ma’am.” I giggled. Jaxon stood and stretched his arms up in a big yawn. His shirt rose up and I could see the skin of his stomach above his jeans. And holy hell, what a stomach it was. The boy was built. A small trail of dark hair disappeared into the denim and I looked away before he could catch me gawking. Celeste chuckled deeply. Oh, crap . She winked at me again and headed out my door. Jaxon followed, waving and softly saying