Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
M itch grabbed his phone as soon as it started ringing. He was expecting Lucinda. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mitch.”
He smiled. “Harper. Not who I was expecting but a nice surprise all the same.”
She sighed. “Thanks.”
His smile flattened. “What’s wrong?”
“The paparazzi are still out there, and it’s wearing on Jack. He’s getting close to a breaking point, I think.”
“Not good,” Mitch said. “Is there something I can do to help?”
“I don’t know. And I know I’m interrupting your writing. I guess I just needed to talk to you.”
That brought his smile back. “That’s an interesting change of pace.”
She laughed. “I suppose it is.”
He leaned back in his chair. “You want to come over?”
“Aren’t you working?”
“Yes, but I could take a break.” It was worth it to see her.
“Do you have any ideas about how to help Jack? How to get rid of these crazy paparazzi?”
“No, but maybe we could circumvent them. Temporarily.”
“How?”
“Can you take a few hours off?”
“Sure. Are you going to tell me what’s up?”
He grinned. “No. I’d rather it be a surprise. Get Jack and bring him over. Both of you should be dressed for a day outside. Bring something to occupy yourself with. A book, your laptop, whatever.”
“What are you planning?”
He shook his head, amusing himself. “You’ll see. He should be able to leave the guest house undetected, don’t you think?”
“If he comes out through the garage and cuts across to your place through the tree line, there’s enough landscaping to hide him. Besides, they seem to be focused on the second story of the guest house, the breezeway, and the pool.”
“Perfect. Twenty minutes?”
“Should we eat before we come over?”
“No. Do you need more than twenty minutes?”
“I think that’s enough time. I’ll text him right now.”
“Great. See you soon.” He hung up and went out to the kitchen. Joyce was folding laundry at the kitchen table. He could hear Beryl singing to Ruthie in the other room. Bunny was probably in with them. Four pans of banana bread sat cooling on racks, scenting the air with a mouth-watering aroma. “Joyce?”
She looked up, a washcloth in her hands. “Yes?”
“Could you fill a cooler with enough sandwiches, snacks, and drinks for three people?”
She set the washcloth down. “You need it right away?”
“Right away.”
“I’ll get to it.”
“Thanks.” He went to his bedroom and changed from his track pants to shorts and put on a different T-shirt. One without a hole near the collar. He grabbed his sunglasses and keys and took them to the kitchen, leaving them on the edge of the counter.
Then he went into Kyle’s room. His son was at the computer, staring at the screen. “How’s it going?”
“Good. I’m trying to outline my ideas. I should have done this sooner, but once I’m finished, I’ll be ready to have that brainstorming session with Harper.”
“You want to take a little time off or would you rather work?”
Kyle grimaced. “I’m sorry. I’d rather work. I’m so close to having this done. Unless you really needed me?”
Mitch shook his head. He understood. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll be out for a few hours, but it’s no big deal.”
“Okay.” Kyle turned back to the computer.
Mitch returned to his office, checked email one more time, made sure his work was saved, then stuck his phone in his pocket and went to the kitchen.
Joyce was finishing up the sandwiches. Ham and cheddar along with some roast beef and Swiss, by the look of it. She had fruit, chips, and cookies on the counter, too. “What kind of drinks do you want?”
“Just a few bottles of water should be fine. There’s still some sodas and other stuff in the fridge.”
“Are you—”
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” He went down the steps. He opened the door to find Harper and Jack. They were dressed in shorts and T-shirts, just like he was. “Did you get out unseen?”
Harper nodded. “We turned Willa into a weapon of mass distraction.”
“A what?”
Jack laughed. “She cranked up the tunes and started dancing around the pool in her swimsuit while wearing a giant inflatable flamingo.”
Mitch chuckled as he let them in. “That I’d like to see. For once, I hope they actually did get some pictures. Good for her.”
“So what’s the plan?” Harper asked.
“You know what, man,” Jack said. “I don’t even care. I’m just stoked to be doing something out of the house. Not that I wasn’t enjoying the knitting, but I’ll get back to work on that later.”
Mitch narrowed his eyes. “You knit?”
“Yeah, man. I’m going to make something for your granddaughter, too.”
“Hey, you want to meet her?”
“I’d love that,” Jack said. “Babies are the best.”
“Yes, they are. Come on in. Joyce is finishing up our sandwiches.”
Harper gave him a look. “Sandwiches?”
Mitch just said, “You’ll see.” And led them upstairs.
He took them in to see Ruthie, who Jack cooed and ahhed over, then Mitch introduced Jack to Bunny. A few minutes later, Mitch collected the cooler from Joyce.
She gave him a nod. “Have a nice time, whatever you’re doing.”
“Thanks.” He hoisted the strap of the soft-sided cooler bag over his shoulder. “All right, you two, follow me.”
He took Jack and Harper back downstairs and into one of the garages. He opened the main door, flooding the garage with light. “Grab a seat.” He put the cooler in the wire basket on the back of the golf cart, then climbed behind the wheel.
Harper was up front, Jack was in the back, sunglasses on, hat pulled down low. Harper watched Mitch closely. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
They figured it out when he pulled into the marina.
“The boat,” Jack said, a big smile breaking across his face. He slapped his thigh. “Outstanding.”
Mitch parked and turned to look at Jack. “I thought maybe you’d like to get out on the water, do a little fishing. Take your mind off of things.”
Jack clapped his hand onto Mitch’s shoulder. “Well done, brother. This is exactly what I needed.”
Harper smiled at Mitch. The appreciation in her gaze was clear.
Mitch hopped out and grabbed the cooler. Harper and Jack got out, too. Mitch led the way as they all headed for the marina office and the slips.
Jack kept pace with Mitch. “Been a minute since I’ve been here. Kai still around?”
“Yep, he’s here,” Mitch said.
Right on cue, Kai stepped out of the office. “Jack Marsh, is that you?”
Jack stuck his hand out, grinning. “Kai, my brother, long time. How are you?” Jack grabbed Kai’s hand and pulled him into a hug.
“It’s good to see you, mate.” Kai pounded Jack on the back before letting him go.
“You, too,” Jack said.
Kai looked at Mitch. “You taking her out?”
“I am. We need a little bait. Have you got anything?”
Kai nodded. “I can hook you up with some frozen shrimp. Those ought to do all right for you.”
Mitch nodded. “Put them on my tab.”
“Just a second.” Kai ducked back into the office and came out a few seconds later with a thick Ziploc baggie of frozen pink shrimp. “There you go. Need anything else?”
“Nope. If anyone asks if Jack was here, you never saw him.”
Kai grinned. “Who?” He gave them an exaggerated wink.
Harper laughed.
While Harper and Jack got settled in the cabin, Mitch fired the boat up. Kai helped untie the craft, then Mitch gave him a wave and got them underway.
He pulled his ball cap down a bit more, sunglasses firmly in place when he turned into the inlet and approached the paparazzi boats. He ignored them as he went by. He glanced toward Harper’s house. Willa was lying on a lounger with a hat over her face. Archie was under Willa’s chair, and the enormous flamingo drifted across the pool like a hot pink parade float.
He smiled and kept heading out to sea.
The photographers on the other boats gave him a cursory glance, then went back to their stakeout. Mitch’s smile got bigger. It was nice not to be too recognizable. He really hoped they got bored enough to go home soon.
His sympathies were completely with Jack. Not only was he being harassed by Monica, but now he had the paparazzi bothering him. Being stalked was no way to live. Crazy that it was legal when you were considered a public figure. Like that should make a difference.
Another few minutes and he looked back. Hideaway Bay was fading from view as he went up the coast. He leaned toward the cabin’s door, and announced, “All clear.”
Harper and Jack came out. Harper had a book in her hands. She took a seat on the padded bench behind Mitch.
Jack stood next to him and stretched his arms out wide, inhaling the salt air. “Now this is more like it.” He nodded, hands coming to rest on his hips as he looked over at Mitch. “I owe you one, man.”
Mitch shook his head. “You don’t owe me a thing. Not after everything your dad did for me. Although if you want to catch something for dinner, I wouldn’t be mad about it.”
Jack’s grin went wide. He rubbed his hands together. “I’ll see what I can do.”