Winter's Harbor Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  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 Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  About the Author

  Books Available from Bold Strokes Books

  Synopsis

  Lia Brooks has a broken heart and a burning desire to escape New York City. She decides Provincetown is the perfect winter escape to find some peace and regroup. Alex McKinnon is the pastry chef and proprietor of The Flour Pot Café in the heart of Provincetown. She loves owning her own business and the easy, no-strings-attached relationships that come with living in a gay tourist mecca. When Lia appears in the café, the attraction is immediate. The passion between them promises more than a casual affair, but it’s never that simple. Women from Alex’s past pop up at the most inopportune times. Then there’s Lia’s ex, who brokers deals for a living and is unaccustomed to losing. Will Alex and Lia be able to overcome the roadblocks and find a happily ever after?

  Winter’s Harbor

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Winter’s Harbor

  © 2015 By Aurora Rey. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-62639-499-5

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, New York 12185

  First Edition: November 2015

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Ashley Tillman

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By G. S. Pendergrast

  Acknowledgments

  I am so grateful to everyone at Bold Strokes Books. It’s an honor to be part of a company and collection of writers who nurture both the art and business of books. A thousand thanks to my editor, Ashley Bartlett, who manages to humor me and whip me into shape simultaneously. Finally, thank you to the friends and family who cheered, listened, and encouraged. I’m a lucky girl to have you in my life.

  Dedication

  For AMH, who makes everything seem possible.

  Chapter One

  Traffic was light on the Sagamore Bridge. As Lia made her way along Route 6, the flow of cars continued to thin. It was a far cry from the tangle of traffic that gripped Cape Cod for most of the summer. It was the sixth of November and she was on her way to Provincetown.

  At first, the highway was nondescript. She drove past exit signs and through small towns. There were gas stations and self-storage facilities and grocery stores and housing developments. Once she hit Orleans, however, it began to change. Businesses for locals were replaced with gift shops and cafés advertising boxed lunches. Although they were all tucked away now, Lia could imagine the massive inner tubes and boogie boards piled against the buildings and affixed to the roofs. In addition to houses, clusters of cabins and cottages were visible from the road. A few had vacancy signs hung, but most announced that they were closed for the season.

  The landscape itself also changed. The vegetation thinned and was dominated by what she thought of as scrub pines. They looked hardy, like they were accustomed to harsh winds and salt air. Along the shoulder of the road, sand replaced dirt and gravel. Although she couldn’t yet see the ocean, she could sense it. Even with the windows up, it was in the air.

  Lia crested the part of the highway that revealed the entire tip of the Cape spread out below. To her right were the rolling dunes of the National Seashore. To her left, Cape Cod Bay. The water was a steely gray, several shades darker than the overcast sky. The little beach cottages that lined the shore were still. Despite the handful of cars parked in driveways, there was no sign of human movement. In the far distance, the Pilgrim Monument marked the center of town.

  Since traffic was virtually nonexistent, Lia opted to drive through town instead of around it. She didn’t even take the split for Bradford Street, wanting instead to see what it was like to drive straight down Commercial. There were a few people walking along the sidewalks and a pair of middle aged men jogging in spandex pants and knit hats. Most of the galleries appeared closed, but the little East End gourmet market was open. A young guy was walking out with a canvas bag. She liked to think he was headed home with the makings of a romantic dinner.

  The real estate agency she’d worked with to arrange the rental of her apartment was just a few blocks down. Lia pulled into a vacant parking spot directly in front of the office. She glanced in the mirror, decided she looked okay for having spent the last six hours in the car, then climbed out.

  When she walked in, a set of bells on the door jingled cheerfully. It seemed a little early for Christmas decorations, then she realized it was less a festive statement and more a way to announce her presence. The reception desk was unoccupied. Just as she was about to call out a “hello,” a woman emerged from one of the offices.

  Lia guessed that she was middle aged, maybe a little older. Her silver hair was cut short and spiky. She wore a dark blue shirt, a pair of light khaki pants, and penny loafers polished to a high shine. Lia sighed. Gay people seemed to be the rule rather than the exception—one more reason to love Provincetown.

  “Good afternoon. How can I help you?”

  Lia found herself smiling. “I’m Lia—Cecilia—Brooks. I’m here to pick up the keys to an apartment I’m renting.”

  “Yes, hello. I’m Jan Stein, the one you’ve been emailing. I’ve got the keys and the paperwork in my office. Come on back.”

  There was a slight hesitation before Jan turned and led the way. Lia was pretty sure she was being sized up by the older woman. Did she look more frightful than she thought? Or was this woman trying to figure out what she was doing arriving in Provincetown after everyone else had gone? Or why she was alone?

  She followed Jan into a small office decorated with photos of the monument taken at different times of day and from different angles.

  “Those are beautiful.” Lia gestured to the wall.

  Jan beamed. “Thank you. My son, Damien, took them. He’s
fifteen.”

  Lia smiled. Getting someone talking about their kids was the perfect way to divert attention from herself. “Wow. He’s quite a talent. Does he sell them?”

  The apartment she was renting came furnished, but it would be nice to add a few of her own touches. And since the majority of her possessions were in an apartment she no longer considered hers, she’d have to find some as she went.

  “He did for the first time this summer. A friend of mine owns one of the galleries and took several dozen on consignment. Damien was beside himself.”

  “Very impressive. I’d love to buy a couple if there are any left.”

  “Oh, he’s already started building inventory for next season. If you want to stop by tomorrow, I’ll bring some in and you can take your pick. He does the lighthouse, too, and the harbor.”

  There was an openness, an ease of conversation, that made Lia feel at home. It helped her relax and made her feel like less of a curiosity. “That would be great. I’ll come back in the morning.”

  “He’ll be so excited. Now, your apartment. First month and security deposit are all set. Your lease is for six months. Rent is due by the third and you can drop off a check here or mail it to the office.” Jan handed her a printed copy of the lease. “Any questions?”

  Lia looked it over. It was the same document she’d signed and emailed to the agency the week before. “I don’t think so. It all looks good to me.”

  “Excellent. So what brings you to Provincetown for the least touristy time of year?”

  And there it was. In truth, she didn’t mind questions. Part of what had soured her on New York was how detached she felt from any sense of community. She was open by nature and liked interacting with people on a more human level.

  “I was looking to get away. Since I do my work remotely, I had my pick of places to go. Provincetown is always near the top of my list, and I’m looking forward to experiencing its quieter side.”

  Maybe her explanation sounded a little scripted, but it was true. She was looking to get away. Things with Dani had finally reached the breaking point and she was desperate for a change of scenery. There was no need to add the part about her being the dupe. Her friends told her she was crazy to move somewhere that essentially closed in on itself for winter, but that fact made it all the more enticing.

  “I’m not sure ‘quiet’ does it justice, but we’re happy to have you one way or the other. You’ll need these.”

  Lia took the keys that Jan handed her. “Thank you so much.”

  If Jan wanted to ask more questions, she resisted, and Lia was grateful.

  “It’s a pleasure. Now, your entrance is on the left-hand side of the house, down the sidewalk. Your parking spot is the one on the far left. No one is in the other units now, but people will occasionally come and go.”

  “Perfect. I’m so looking forward to it.”

  Jan extended a hand and gave her a reassuring smile. “We’re glad to have you. I do hope I see you tomorrow.”

  She shook Jan’s hand and returned the smile. “Absolutely.”

  Lia walked out of the office and back to her car. It was only four in the afternoon, but the sun was already beginning to dip low in the sky. It would be dark within the hour. Although she didn’t want to think of the next six months as a hibernation, there was something appealing about the idea of cocooning herself here. She could work and rest and revel in the quiet. She wouldn’t think about traffic or subways or her ex getting frisky with some twenty-something coed. To the extent it was possible at this point in her life, Lia decided she would be happy in this tiny town completely out of the way to anywhere but itself.

  She started her car and continued to make her way down Commercial Street. Since there was no one behind her, she drove slowly. She passed the Lobster Pot and Spiritus Pizza, the Marine Specialty and the town hall. It was reassuringly familiar, yet she had never seen the town so still. It could have been eerie, but she found it peaceful.

  There were a few people on the street and most of them waved. She saw two older women in matching windbreakers, a younger guy who looked like he was on his way to a hot date. As she left the main commercial stretch, storefronts gave way to cedar-shingled houses with tidy yards and picket fences. Lia approached a woman jogging with a golden retriever. As she got closer, Lia couldn’t stifle a small sigh of appreciation. She had short hair and broad shoulders. The dog matched her pace perfectly with no sign of a leash.

  The woman lifted a hand in a friendly wave, which Lia returned with a smile. She glanced in her rearview mirror and watched as they turned a corner and disappeared from view. Although she couldn’t imagine being with someone—physically or emotionally—anytime soon, it was reassuring to know that she still noticed, and enjoyed, a good-looking woman.

  When Commercial Street turned sharply to the left, she continued straight onto Tremont. At Vine Street, she turned right and drove slowly until she found the house number for her unit. She turned into the parking spot assigned to her, cut the engine, and sat for a moment. For better or worse, and for at least the next six months, she was home.

  Chapter Two

  In the winter, Alex closed the bakery at three. If she had one other person working, they could zip through the cleaning in under an hour. Today was one of those days. And since there was little more than a chill in the air, she got Murphy and they headed out for a run. In the off season, she didn’t even bother with a leash.

  They went a block up to Bradford Street and headed toward the West End. She preferred to run on the beach, but she only did so barefoot, so when the weather turned, she kept to the streets. She’d take Murphy down at some point so he could chase sticks, but that didn’t make for much of a workout.

  When they hit Vine, Alex turned to make the loop back up Commercial. There weren’t many people out and about, so it was easy to wave to everyone she passed, most of whom were familiar faces. She loved that Provincetown became just another small New England town after Labor Day, and the feel of fall put her in a good mood. She looked down at Murphy, who was loping along happily with his tongue out. “Ready to go home? It’s dinner time.”

  Mention of dinner seemed to quicken Murphy’s pace. They ran the rest of the way at a near sprint, arriving home breathless and sweating. As promised, she put down his dinner before stripping off her running clothes. He crunched enthusiastically while she showered and was lounging contentedly by the time she was dressed and ready to leave.

  “I won’t be long. I’ll tell your buddy Stuart you said hi.”

  Alex jogged down the stairs, double checked that the back door into the bakery was locked, and walked the short distance to the Squealing Pig. Once there, she found Stuart already at the bar. She sat down on one of the empty stools next to him. “I’m not that late, am I?”

  “I haven’t been here long.” He gestured to the beer in front of him. “And I didn’t bother waiting.”

  Alex nodded to the glass. “What are you having?”

  “It’s a red ale, not half bad.”

  Sam, the bartender, finished mixing a martini. He handed it to someone further down the bar, then walked to where they were sitting. “Hey, Alex. What’s your pleasure?”

  She tilted her head toward Stuart. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

  “Coming right up.” Sam filled a glass from the draft and handed it to her. “Tab?”

  Before she could respond, Stuart raised a hand. “Just put it on mine.”

  Sam nodded and moved away to take another order.

  “Thanks, pal. I’ll get the next round.”

  “It’s on me. It’s good to see you.”

  “Likewise.” She lifted her glass. “To the off season.”

  Stuart tapped his glass to hers. “To the off season.”

  “How’re Connie and the girls? I feel like I haven’t seen them since school started.” Stuart was the harbormaster in Provincetown, but he and his family lived in Truro.

  “Maddie has decided s
he wants to play hockey, which of course means Beth wants to play hockey.” Stuart’s daughters were eleven and eight. With few exceptions, Beth wanted to be just like her older sister. Both looked like miniature versions of their mother, who had the striking dark features of her Portuguese ancestors. Stuart often joked that his blond hair and blue eyes didn’t stand a chance in that gene pool.

  Alex chuckled. “That sounds awesome and a little bit dangerous. How does Connie feel about it?”

  “She’s thrilled. I think her worst fear was having prissy little girls. I, on the other hand, think it’s a terrible idea.”

  “Aw, come on, Stu. It’ll be good for them.”

  “I know, but I can already see the broken arm or, worse, broken nose.”

  “Think of it this way. If they stick with it, you won’t have to worry about any boys thinking they can mess with them.”

  “I suppose that’s a silver lining.”

  “That’s the spirit.” She gestured to Sam for another round of beers, handing him a credit card to open a tab.

  “So, what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Are you officially in a dry spell? No more flavors of the month until spring?” Stuart poked her with his elbow.

  Alex made a face. “Well, I don’t like to think of it as a dry spell, necessarily…”

  “Who was the last one? She was a looker.”

  Alex scratched the back of her head. “Her name was Sabrina and she was a looker. She left in September when school started.”

  “She was a student?” Stuart’s voice went up an octave, the way it always did when he was overly excited about something. It was obvious that he was both scandalized and intrigued by the idea.

  “She was going back to school to get her teacher’s certification. I’m not a cradle robber, you perv.”

  Stuart lifted his hands defensively. “I’m just saying she seemed young.”