Along the Shore by Rochelle Alers

Author:Rochelle Alers [Alers, Rochelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2022-06-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Cherie sat on a rocker on the porch, bundled up against the cool morning air while sipping a mug of steaming green tea. Derrick had told her to take the rest of the week off, but not doing anything was playing havoc with her nerves. She’d gotten up before sunrise and finished reading Like Water for Chocolate and loved it, but she wasn’t ready to read another book for at least another week. And she knew Kayana was going to go all out when she prepared some of the recipes listed in the novel.

Unfolding her legs, she walked on sock-covered feet into the house and closed and locked the door. She rinsed the mug and put it in the dishwasher, and then headed for the staircase. She paused halfway up to straighten one of the framed black-and-white pictures on the wall before heading for her bedroom.

Forty minutes later, Cherie pulled into the parking lot behind the Seaside Café. There was only the restaurant’s van, Leah’s Audi, and Kayana’s SUV. It was near closing time, and apparently most or all the diners were gone. On occasion, those living on the beach side of the island opted to walk to the restaurant. She climbed the steps and opened the rear door. A radio blasting Motown tunes meant Derrick was in the kitchen. She walked in, and he suddenly turned and went completely still. Cherie knew he hadn’t expected to see her.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come in until next week!”

It was the first time she’d witnessed him raising his voice. “I know you did, but I decided to come in anyway.”

“Are you working up for me to fire you?”

“Who are you firing?” Kayana asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Your friend!” Derrick spat out. The veins in his neck were visible as he continued to glare at Cherie.

“I had to come in,” she said, looking directly at Kayana, “because the longer I stay away, the more difficult it will be for me to come back. I refused to let fear rule my life.”

“She’s right, Derrick,” Kayana said.

Derrick wiped his hands on a towel looped under the ties of his bibbed apron. “I won’t feel safe having Cherie here as long as that crazy bastard is still on the island.”

“He’s leaving today,” Cherie stated in a quiet voice.

“Why?”

“Where is he going?”

Derrick and Kayana had spoken at the same time.

“Deputy Matthews told me the man has an outstanding warrant in Tennessee, and federal marshals are coming today to extradite him to Memphis to stand trial.”

“What are you guys talking about? Cherie, what are you doing here?” Leah asked.

Cherie noticed Leah was carrying a broom and dustpan. It was obvious she’d assumed the responsibility of cleaning up in her absence. “I came to clean up.”

Leah scrunched up her nose. “But weren’t you supposed to stay home until next week?”

Derrick threw up both hands. “I’m out! No one listens to me, so you ladies can have this. I’m taking the Audi, so Kay, can you

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