day-trippers coming to the island
today. Maybe some of the shopkeepers will have more time to talk about my
sister and the website.”
Devlin
didn’t want her snooping around. The bastard could attack Abby, and there might
not be anyone around to help her. He needed to tell her just enough to make her
cautious. Besides, one of the locals might accidentally spill some scuttlebutt
about him and his family. Devlin hoped to get Abby out of town before either of
those things happened.
Thankfully
he had the support of the locals, since the Morgan family had founded the
village and helped restore the economy. But people were people, and there was
nothing as tempting as a nibble of juicy gossip. “I showed the sheriff the
rabbit and the gull. He said it could be just a high school prank. However,
until he finds out who is responsible, you can’t leave the castle alone.
Understood?”
Her
shoulders squared even as her eyes narrowed. “Yes, I understand. I guess you’ll
have to come with me. You can make notes on who says what to whom, can’t you,
Devlin?”
“Wait
here a minute.” Devlin found Otis and told him to call the locksmith out to the
castle today. Afterward he walked back into the foyer, where Abby was waiting
for him. “I’ll drive. Just let me grab my coat.”
Chapter Six
Four
down and several more to go, but she’d definitely made a start.
Abby
reluctantly left the comforting warmth of the Wolf Island Library. She walked
beside Devlin, beneath the large black umbrella he gripped in his hand. Rain
pattered around them, creating small rivers of water on the sidewalk’s surface,
soaking her shoes, but she was too happy to care. Devlin stood close to her
like a knight defending his lady.
Under
any other circumstances, she might find that particular male characteristic
annoying, but today she found it charming.
Abruptly,
he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Abby halted midstride, and he threw
her an irritated look.
“What
are you looking so pleased about?” A smile played around his mouth.
“That
was the fourth place we’ve been in. The people I’ve spoken to so far have been
very enthusiastic about me building a website to advertise the island. You
should be happy, as well.”
“Me?”
“Yes,
you. Everyone was willing to give me their opinion. Mrs. Watts, the librarian,
even offered to help with research. So far, everyone thinks the site is a great
idea. Just think what it will do for the island’s economy. There was only one
problem.”
“What’s
that?”
“With
you hovering over me, everyone avoided my questions about Miranda.”
Devlin
grinned and curled a hand around the back of her neck. Before she had a chance
to react, he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the mouth. “You trying to
get rid of me, Abigail?”
Her
lips tingled and her knees weakened. So what if one little kiss brought the
events of the previous evening back to her in stunning clarity? “Yes.” Her
voice wasn’t as steady as she’d like it to be. But how was she supposed to
control her reactions when Devlin smelled so wonderful, a mixture of rain,
soap, and the distinct spicy aroma that was his alone.
He
rubbed his thumb slowly over her cheek. “Too bad. I’m not letting you out of my
sight.”
That’s
what she was afraid of. What was he hiding? Why didn’t he want her asking
questions about her sister? What did Miranda’s disappearance have to do with
him? “Could we at least stop for tea? It’s freezing out here.”
· * * * *
Abby
and Devlin were just finishing up their lunch when the door to the restaurant
and inn called Wolf’s Lair swung open. A lanky, red-faced man, covered from
head to toe in a bright yellow slicker, rushed over to their table. Water
trickled onto the floor, forming a puddle at his boot-clad feet. “Dev, Otis
called and asked me to find you. Your boat broke its moorings.”
“What?”
Mild disbelief colored Devlin’s voice. “The storm’s