Hidden Hideaways Read online

  Hidden Hideaways

  A Dune House Cozy Mystery

  Cindy Bell

  Copyright © 2014 Cindy Bell

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter One

  “Wait, don't!” Paul pleaded as he backed up across the sand. His eyes were wide with fear, and his hands were held out before him protectively.

  “I'm sorry, Paul,” Suzie said as she tried to keep her voice calm. “But you asked for this. Now, you're going to have to accept the consequences.”

  “Only if you can catch me!” he challenged and quirked an eyebrow. In the next moment he was running across the sand. Suzie couldn't help but shriek with laughter as she chased after him. She hadn't felt more like a little kid in years. She lengthened her strides, determined to tackle Paul and make him pay.

  They had been out on the water most of the day. Paul was determined to get her alone as often as he could now. Suzie had made arrangements with Mary to keep an eye on Dune House, her stunning bed and breakfast, while she was gone. But she still felt a little guilty for having so much fun, when she was sure that Mary was back home toiling away with bed linens and dust rags.

  One thing she did not feel guilty about was dumping an entire bucket of cold water all over the top of Paul's head.

  “Hey!” he complained and groaned at the same time. “It’s not fair, I don't have much cover up there!”

  She laughed at his reference to the fact that his thick, brown hair was gradually retreating along his scalp. She thought it added to his burly look, which she found to be incredibly attractive.

  “It’s fair play,” Suzie teased him as she backed away from him giggling. Her own skirt was soaked through because he had decided to douse her with water a few minutes before. As they were enjoying the beach, they were surrounded only by nature. One of the best parts about going out on the boat with Paul was that he knew all of the hidden hideaways. This beach in particular looked as if it hadn't seen a human footprint in years.

  “That's it,” he said gruffly as he locked eyes with her. “This is war.”

  “War?” Suzie gulped and started to run. Despite the fact that Paul was a rather brawny man, he was very light on his feet. He managed to catch up to her in three bouncing strides. When she felt his strong arms collide with her waist, a sharp thrill raced through her. He was careful to hold her close to keep her from crashing into the sand.

  “Now, what will I do with you?” he whispered, his breath lingering close to her ear. Suzie had a few ideas. But before she could volunteer them, they both heard a strange sound that startled them out of their romantic trance.

  “What was that?” Suzie wondered as she looked in the direction of the sound. It was similar to a woman crying, but it had just enough of a trill to it that it was clear it was an animal, not a person.

  “Oh, that would be Bonnie Blue,” he said with a sigh. “She must be jealous.”

  “Bonnie Blue?” Suzie asked as she unwound reluctantly from his arms. “Is that a friend of yours?”

  “You could say that,” Paul smiled as he slipped his hand in hers. “We've known each other a long time.”

  “Oh?” Suzie felt a little confused. She was beginning to wonder if Paul was talking about a real woman.

  “You see, before I had the good luck of meeting you, I spent a lot of time alone,” he smiled as he led her towards a gathering of trees further down the beach. “In fact, I spent a lot of time here. It was a quiet place that I could anchor the boat and camp if I wanted. I just loved the fact that most people had no idea where I was.”

  “I can understand that,” Suzie said with a slight nod. She had lived an adventurous life as an investigative reporter and there had been more than a few times when she wished she could just disappear. She smiled fondly at him as they stepped through the trees. It meant a lot to her that he would share his secret retreat with her.

  “When I stayed here though, I wasn't alone. This crane became a part of my life. I tried to shoo her away, but she was quite insistent,” he laughed a little. “Eventually I just became accustomed to her greeting me and hovering over me when I visited. I named her Bonnie Blue, because her feathers look almost blue in the right light,” he explained.

  “A crane?” Suzie grinned. She had started to get jealous over a bird. Then she caught sight of Bonnie Blue. The bird was quite regal as she perched on the precipice of a large rock that jutted up out of the water. The beach that surrounded Bonnie Blue was a beautiful one, with flawless, white sand. But what made it unique was the foliage that grew right up to its edge. There must have been enough fertile soil to support the bushes, flowers, and tall grass that stretched towards the sunny sky. It was truly one of the most stunning places that Suzie had ever observed. Bonnie Blue turned to look at Suzie. She released another mournful cry.

  “She likes you,” Paul said with pride.

  “Oh, good,” Suzie laughed. “I'd hate to see what she would do if she didn't like me.”

  “I like you,” Paul said and gazed into her eyes lovingly. Their relationship was still fresh. They had only shared a few kisses, but they had been amazing. Suzie was still hesitant, she hadn't set out on this part of her life with the intention of finding romance, but Paul was more than just romance. He felt like the perfect fit for her. When he studied her so intently, preparing to kiss her, her heart sped up and she felt giddy. When he kissed her, Bonnie Blue let out a shrill cry and flew off across the sea.

  “Hmm, she is jealous,” Paul laughed as he broke the kiss.

  “Well, she's going to have to come to terms with another woman being in your life,” she said in a serious tone.

  “I'm sure she'll come around,” Paul murmured and stole another kiss. When Suzie pulled away and rested her head against his shoulder, he held her comfortably against him. She felt as if the day could not have been more perfect. She was quite far from the condo she had holed herself up in not long ago, and she had Dune House and her best friend Mary to thank for all of it.

  Paul spread out a blanket on the sand and settled a picnic basket down in the middle of it. Suzie had packed it for their trip. As she began spreading out the food, Paul was busy sifting his fingers through the sand.

  “Aren't you hungry?” Suzie asked as she looked over at him.

  “Just a minute,” he nodded. “I'm looking for something. Aha, here it is,” he added as he pulled a seashell out of the sand. It was perfectly rounded and rose shaded.

  “It's beautiful,” Suzie said as she studied it intently.

&nb
sp; “This beach is the only place I've ever found one like this,” Paul admitted. “It's for you,” he added as he handed it to her. “Might not be jewelry, but maybe you could turn it into a necklace or something,” he added shyly. Suzie had noticed the only thing that Paul seemed to be insecure about was his income. He lived by the sea, and if the sea wasn't in a generous mood, he didn't always make a lot. He had made a few comments about not being able to buy her the things he wanted to.

  “It's priceless,” she replied honestly. She smiled and tucked it into her pocket. “But if I'm going to have one, then you have to have one, too,” she sifted through the sand until she found another slightly smaller shell.

  “Here you go,” she smiled as she handed it to him. “Now we have a matching pair.”

  “Wonderful,” he murmured as he looked into her eyes. He tucked the shell into his pocket and then shifted a little closer to her on the blanket. “Now, about being hungry,” he growled and moved to kiss her. Suzie stuck a roll between his lips before he could get too close.

  “Good because I made plenty,” she laughed as he sputtered on the roll and then shook his head.

  “Let's eat,” he said with a good natured smile and they shared their picnic, tossing a few crumbs here and there to Bonnie Blue who was standing guard.

  The boat ride back to Dune House was smooth. Suzie leaned close to Paul as he steered the boat. She noticed he always stood tall at the helm, never a slouched shoulder in sight. She was sure that he was living his true passion. It was something that she admired about him, and something she was learning to do herself. Despite many years as an investigative reporter her real passion had always been design, interior decorating in particular. Converting the home she had inherited from her late Uncle Harry back into a bed and breakfast had given her that opportunity.

  “Too bad the sun has to set,” Paul said softly as he steered the boat into the marina.

  “Would you like to come over for some wine?” Suzie offered once the boat had been docked.

  “Not tonight,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “I have to meet with someone in the morning, and I want my mind to be clear.”

  Suzie raised an eyebrow as she wondered who he was meeting. She paused a moment, to see if he would tell her. But Paul was already stepping onto the dock and reaching back to help her across. He tended to keep most things to himself, not in a closed off way, but in the way of someone who was in the habit of being alone.

  Paul walked her back to Dune House. When they reached the end of the long drive, he pulled her into his arms.

  “One last kiss?” he pleaded as he held her close. Paul was strong, and Suzie loved the way his body seemed to engulf her slighter form.

  “Just one?” she pouted with playful disappointment.

  He kissed her before she could say another word. Then again. Then once more, until she pushed him away with a laugh.

  “All right, remember your meeting in the morning,” she winked at him. He watched as she walked towards Dune House and then he turned and walked back off towards the marina.

  ***

  When Suzie stepped through the front door she heard Mary on the phone. It sounded like she was setting up a guest for a few days later in the week. Suzie hung out by the front desk until Mary hung up the phone.

  “New guests?” she asked with a smile.

  “Yes, nothing too wild, just a couple that wants a night away,” Mary smiled. “Sounds like it might be their first time leaving the baby behind.”

  “We'll make sure they have some privacy then,” Suzie said fondly.

  “So, spill,” Mary said as she walked around the front desk. “How was your romantic getaway with Paul?”

  “Quite romantic,” Suzie admitted with a teasing smile. “He really is an amazing man.”

  “Well, that makes sense, since you're an amazing woman,” Mary pointed out. “But no details?”

  “I'm afraid not,” Suzie grinned shyly. “What happens on the boat stays on the boat.”

  Mary offered a dramatic sigh. “Well, I guess I will just have to muddle through my boring life then.”

  “I don't think you've ever been boring, Mary,” Suzie said warmly.

  “I do like to keep things lively,” Mary winked lightly and then yawned. “I am worn out tonight though. I did some of the vacuuming upstairs. Would you mind finishing down here?”

  “Not at all,” Suzie said quickly. “And I'll wash off the deck chairs, too. I'm nowhere near ready for bed.”

  “Ah, to be young and in love,” Mary rolled her eyes.

  “Young?” Suzie quirked a brow. “You know that we're about the same age, Mary.”

  “Yes,” Mary agreed. “But love makes you young.”

  Suzie had to smile at that. She recalled the way she had been chasing Paul around the beach. She had felt young then. Not that she ever really felt old, she didn't think she would be old until she hit her nineties, and even then it would be debatable. But she hadn't felt so young until she met Paul.

  “Good night, Mary,” Suzie said. “I'll vacuum first so that you can get some sleep.”

  Mary blew a kiss over her shoulder and headed up the stairs to her room. Suzie pulled the vacuum cleaner from the bottom of the stairs and started in the hallway that led to the game room. As she was vacuuming her mind drifted over her day. She already missed Paul. Occasionally she thought about what it would be like to wake up next to him, or at least have the luxury of sharing breakfast with him each morning. But it was a thought that was always chased away by her independent streak. She had plenty of lovers in her time, but none of them were what she would label as commitments. They were fun, they were hot, but they were not meant to be permanent. It felt so very different with Paul, as if maybe, it was meant to be.

  Shaking the thought from her mind she finished the vacuuming and put the vacuum away in the storage closet. Then she headed out to the deck to spray off the deck chairs. She could hear the water rushing against the sand. Everything else was quiet. Garber was a town that rarely ever stayed up late. Even during the weekend most party-goers were silent and home well before midnight. As she sprayed off the deck chairs she smiled at the sight of Dune House towering above her. It had changed a lot on the inside, but as for the outside not much had been done. The old sprawling house was filled with character and she wanted it to remain that way. It was a draw for those seeking a romantic spot that was quite different from the usual run of the mill hotel.

  She rolled the hose up and put it away. Then she pushed the deck chairs to the edge of the deck so that they would get the full sun in the morning. The ocean caught her eye as its waves rolled silver in the moonlight. The shade reminded her every time of Paul's eyes, as if the ocean had found its way inside him, and made him part of it.

  “All right, Suzie, you're getting out of control with this mushy stuff,” she admonished herself as she walked back towards the front door of Dune House. She still couldn't help stealing a glance towards the marina where several boats, including Paul's were docked. She wondered if he was looking out in the direction of Dune House at the same time.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning Suzie woke up early. Sometimes she felt like she was in a race with Mary to do her share of the work. Mary was accustomed to taking care of others, and a house. But Dune House was much larger than anything she had ever lived in, and Suzie hated to see her taking on more of the workload. She got up, determined to take care of the runners in the front hall before Mary had the chance to. She rolled up the rug and carried it out onto the front porch. She was beating the dirt and dust from it when she heard someone call out to her.

  “Morning, beautiful,” Paul said as he walked down the driveway. Even though it was just past seven, Suzie was sure he had already been up for quite some time. He was an early riser. He was also not alone. There was a young man scuffing along beside him, his hands sunk deep into his pockets. He had a baseball cap pulled down low over his forehead.

 
“Hi Paul,” Suzie smiled warmly as Paul ascended the steps onto the wraparound porch.

  “Hi Suzie,” he replied with an equally warm expression. “I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”

  “Of course, what is it?” Suzie asked as she looked from Paul to the man he had walked up with. From what she could see of him, she was sure he was quite young, barely in his twenties, if that. He adjusted the hat on his head which cast more shadow across his face and his eyes flitted nervously around. Suzie felt a little uneasy about him right away.

  “This is Trent, he's a new deckhand that I just hired for a fishing trip. He needs a place to stay, so I was wondering if you could rent him a room for the night?” Paul glanced over at Trent. “Trent, this is my girlfriend Suzie.”

  Suzie's heart stopped for a moment at his description. She hadn't heard him call her that yet. She decided that she kind of liked it.

  “Nice to meet you, Trent,” she said and smiled at the young man. He looked at her with pale blue eyes. They were a beautiful shade, but something about them seemed to be shifty.

  “You too, Miss,” he replied calmly. Suzie tilted her head slightly to the side as she studied Trent. He seemed polite enough.

  “Well, we have plenty of rooms available,” Suzie said as she realized that Paul was still waiting for an answer. “Let me show you one, Trent,” she invited. As she stepped into Dune House, Trent and Paul filed in behind her.

  “Nice place,” Trent commented. It was clear that Trent was a man of few words.

  “It's one of the oldest houses in the entire town of Garber,” Paul gushed with pride. “Suzie and her friend Mary have worked very hard restoring it.”

  “With plenty of help from you, Paul,” she reminded him with warmth in her voice.

  “Great,” Trent nodded.