The Cottages On Silver Beach. RaeAnne Thayne

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СКАЧАТЬ delighted in telling the group about whatever Elliot was doing—his latest book award or FBI commendation. None of the Baileys had said anything about an injury.

      She had to wonder again why he had chosen to pay the rental fee to stay here rather than with his mother or one of his siblings.

      “Hey, Elliot.” Verla waved at him eagerly. He paused, turning toward them. Then he trotted in their direction.

      “That is one fine-looking man,” Verla murmured as he approached them.

      On closer inspection, Megan could see pain lines bracketing his mouth, and his right hand below the sling was clenched into a fist. None of that took away from the impact of him, lean and hard and dangerous.

      “Nice morning for a run,” she said, though she wouldn’t know. She hated running. She didn’t mind walking or hiking or riding her bike but would rather scrub all the inn’s toilets than throw on running shoes.

      Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. Anything was better than scrubbing the hotel toilets.

      “It’s beautiful,” Elliot agreed, though he said this with all the enthusiasm of a man selecting among brands of dental floss. “I’m having a little trouble with the desk lamp in the second bedroom. I tried swapping out light bulbs with the bedside lamp and that didn’t do the trick. The cord appeared a little frayed, which leads me to the assumption that the malfunction is somehow related to that.”

      Why couldn’t he just say the lamp had a bad cord? “Right. I forgot about that. A previous guest brought it to my attention and I meant to switch it out before renting the cottage again but the matter completely slipped my mind. I’ll be sure to send another one over today.” She would take the one off her own desk if she had to, but hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.

      “Thank you,” he said, as formally as if they were discussing international trade treaties among countries. “At your earliest convenience would be fine. I’m not in a big rush, though I do see myself working there when possible. I just wanted you to know. Any frayed cord could pose a fire hazard.”

       Thank you, Safety Patrol Leader.

      She forced a smile, trying not to be snarky. “I appreciate the notice and will take care of it this morning.”

      He nodded and turned toward the direction of Cedarwood Cottage but Verla waylaid him.

      “Hey, Elliot. You might not remember me. Verla McCracken. You played baseball with my son Cort.”

      He shifted and gazed down at her diminutive form, then offered Verla a smile much warmer than anything he had yet to bestow on Megan.

      “Oh, yes. I remember. You always brought the best treats after games for Cort to share with the rest of us. My favorites were your sweet rolls with the maple frosting. I’ve had dreams about your sweet rolls.”

      She laughed, looking pleased and completely charmed. “I’ll be sure to make you some while you’re back in town.”

      “I would never refuse your sweet rolls, Ms. McCracken. How is Cort these days?”

      “Good. He works for the car dealership in Shelter Springs. You need a new Toyota, he can hook you up.”

      His teeth gleamed in the sunlight as he smiled again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

      “He’s got the three cutest kids in the world. A boy and two girls. Oldest is six and the youngest is only a few months. Want to see a picture?”

      Before he could answer, Verla whipped out her phone and scrolled through until she found a picture Megan had taken of her grandchildren, all sitting together on a bench with the oldest girl holding the youngest girl and a little towheaded, grinning boy in the middle.

      Megan had to admit, they were pretty darn cute.

      “Beautiful,” Elliot replied dutifully.

      “I’m sure he’d love to see you while you’re in town. His wife is a big fan of your books. Megan and me are, too.”

      His gaze shifted to Megan, brows lifted slightly. “Is that right?”

      “Oh, yes. She got me hooked on them and I passed them along to Marie. That’s my daughter-in-law. You’ve got a way of telling a story that just hooks a person in.”

      “Uh, thanks,” he said.

      Verla launched into a review of his latest book. Elliot listened, nodding in all the right places, though he looked uncomfortable, and Megan had the distinct impression his attention wasn’t wholly focused on the other woman’s words.

      She was trying to figure out a way to step in and distract Verla when a familiar pickup turned in to the parking lot and pulled up next to them.

      Megan swore under her breath, wanting to kick herself. She’d never told her brother Elliot was renting a cottage at the inn. She had meant to the moment she realized who had made the reservation, but somehow she could never quite bring herself to raise the subject, knowing it would lead to an uncomfortable discussion.

      She should have. She should have called him right away. If she had, she might have avoided what was bound to be an awkward confrontation now.

      Elliot spotted the pickup truck almost as soon as she did. He tensed slightly, a reaction she had a feeling he would have had regardless of who was driving, until he could establish there was no threat.

      He didn’t know her brother was driving. He couldn’t, she realized, her mind quickly racing for the best way to avert a scene between two men who had become outright hostile to each other after Elizabeth disappeared.

      The moment Luke parked the pickup, Cassie jumped out and rushed over to her, full of energy and excitement and life.

      “Aunt Meg, guess who gets to be the starting pitcher at tonight’s game?”

      As always, her heart overflowed with love for this girl. She couldn’t imagine ever loving a child of her own womb as much as she did her niece and nephew.

      “Um, Miranda.”

      “As if! She’s too busy making sure she doesn’t break a nail. No! It’s me. Last night at practice, Coach Hunter says I did such a good job as the relief pitcher that she’s willing to take a chance. Are you coming to watch?”

      “Of course. You know I wouldn’t miss it.”

      She loved small-town ball games. It was one of her favorite aspects of living in Haven Point.

      “What about you, Bridger?” she asked her nephew as he and Luke approached them. “Are you playing tonight, too?”

      “Sore subject,” Luke said, with a warning look.

      Because of the angle of the shrubs, he couldn’t see Elliot yet, she realized. If only she could keep the two men apart.

      “It’s not fair.” Her nephew pouted. “I’m ready. My arm doesn’t even hurt much anymore. The cast has been off for two weeks.”

      Bridger had broken his arm a few months earlier in a bad СКАЧАТЬ