Chapter 25
It was almost one o’clock when Gray pulled up to Shelby’s grandma’s house. He wasn’t sure why she’d asked to meet him here.
For that matter, he wasn’t sure why she wanted his help with Miss Phoebe. But she was the boss and it wasn’t as if he minded
spending time with her.
Now there was a thought he didn’t care to examine too closely.
He’d left Shadow at home in a pet enclosure he’d purchased last night. He was now in for over two hundred dollars on the mutt.
He should probably take out an ad in the paper or something. But he’d had a lot on his plate and hadn’t gotten around to it.
Just getting his SUV out of hock had taken him hours yesterday (plus a hundred seventy-five dollars). Thank you, Grandville police.
He’d also checked in with his boss back home. The new project manager was doing well. Gray made a phone call to smooth things
over with a particular customer and checked on some siding that had gotten lost in transit. Since he’d offered to do the bookkeeping
remotely, he’d also been working on that. It only took a couple hours a week.
As he exited the vehicle he spotted Shelby around back, walking toward a wooden pier. He headed her way. The sun was high
overhead against a clear blue sky, providing welcome warmth for the November day. They were in the middle of a nice warm spell,
though he’d hardly been outside to enjoy it.
“Afternoon,” he called.
She turned from the end of the dock, where she was setting a pizza box inside a fishing boat. “Hey. You’re right on time.”
The pier shuddered under his footsteps. “Did I miss something? I thought we were going to Miss Phoebe’s.”
“We are.” Humor flashed in her eyes. “Did I forget to mention she lives on Eagle Island?”
“You may have left out that little detail. But now I know why pizza delivery wasn’t an option.” His gaze skated to the box.
“Luigi’s... Nice.” Best pizza in three counties. His mouth watered just thinking about the savory sauce and mounds of melted
cheese. “Hop in. I’ll untie us.”
He undid the knots as she settled in the captain’s seat and started the outboard engine. It was the same aluminum boat they’d
taken out on the lake many times back in the day. What would the family do with it now that they were selling Miss Viola’s
property?
He wouldn’t mind having the boat for himself. He could keep it at the Airbnb for guests. And then what, idiot? Regular visits to the good people of Grandville? Rides in the boat, living out memories of what used to be while watching
Shelby fall in love with and potentially marry her banker boyfriend? He felt that one in his gut.
Despite the painful reality check, the memories of those sunset kisses on the lake lingered. She used to set him on fire.
He’d been so far gone over her. She was the first woman to sweep him away like that.
Who was he kidding? She’d been the only one to do so. Losing her had left him damaged goods. He’d never wanted to find himself
in that miserable place again. After all, you couldn’t lose what you never had. Never mind that he’d been the one to ruin
things.
He settled in the seat beside her and she guided the boat from the slip and out onto the open waters. There were only a few
boats on the lake today despite the beautiful weather. “You do much fishing these days?”
“I still go out with Dad sometimes.”
She’d always had great luck with the fish. She called it skill. He wasn’t so sure. “There’s good fishing back home. When I’m not working you can usually find me casting a line on the French Broad River.”
She was quiet for a beat. “What’s your life like in Riverbend Gap? Are you close to anyone back home?”
He arched a brow. “Is that your way of asking if I have a girlfriend?”
“Nooo.” The word accompanied an eye roll. “I was asking about friends. Besides, most girlfriends wouldn’t be too happy about
their man helping out an old girlfriend with her business.”
He gave her a speculative look. “How about boyfriends?”
“Logan is very understanding. But we were talking about you.”
He allowed the dodge. “I have friends back home. I’m closest to the guys I work with since that’s where I spend most of my
time.” He took in the scenery and could almost feel his muscles relaxing at the familiar beauty. For all the folks around
here who’d been a thorn in his side, he’d always loved this lake and the wooded hills around it. “The trees still have their
color.”
“I’ve been wanting to get out and enjoy fall, but I’ve been pretty distracted.”
“You’ve had a lot to deal with. But better late than never. The leaves will be gone soon.” Autumn had always been her favorite
season. She loved the crisp air after the steamy summer. The cool nights, the scent of campfires, and the beautiful foliage
surrounding the lake. He couldn’t blame her.
As they headed out of the bay and into the main basin, the wind ruffled her brown hair and the sunlight lit it with copper
sparkles. He used to be mesmerized by all the colors in hair that seemed plain brown at first glance. It was just like her
personality—seemingly straightforward when she had so many layers. You only had to look for them.
She turned and caught him staring.
He looked away. He shouldn’t be thinking about her hair or her personality or the lingering kisses they’d once shared on this very boat. Did her boyfriend know they were taking this little excursion today?
“There’s a rumor going around about you.”
He winced at the memory of being hauled into the back of Officer Remington’s cruiser Friday night. “Shocker.”
“Miss Patsy heard from Lou Greenwell that you were hauled away in handcuffs Friday night after being arrested on a drunk and
disorderly charge. Word has it you did some real damage over at Dirty Harry’s.”
“Obviously untrue.”
She shook her head as she steered toward Eagle Island. “The grapevine sure keeps it entertaining.”
“It was actually a DUI.”
Her gaze darted to him, the grin sliding from her mouth. “What?”
Might as well get it out there. “I was pulled over and taken in—that part’s true enough. They took me to the station, but
the Breathalyzer proved me completely sober. Good to hear the grapevine’s still alive and well though.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What could you have done? It worked out.”
“Worked out? I could’ve—” She huffed. “Was this a setup? Was Mason Remington involved in this?”
She’d always been so defensive of Gray. It had been a new and welcome feeling having someone on his side, ready to defend
him. But he didn’t need her to come to his defense now. She had a business to save and she needed this community’s support
now more than ever. “Let it go, Shelby.”
“They can’t arrest you simply because they don’t want you here.”
Oh yeah? “Seems they can.”
“You have to report him.”
“Who’s going to believe me, Shelby? The folks at the precinct seemed pretty delighted to see me behind bars.”
“This isn’t right. We should file a complaint.”
“It’s over and done with. I won’t be here long—and until I leave I can fight my own battles.”
“You always were stubborn beyond reason.”
He stared at her pointedly. “Pot, meet kettle.”
She throttled down as they neared the island with only the one house. He didn’t like the set of her jutted chin. Didn’t want
her getting caught in the cross fire. “Stay out of this, Shelby. Promise me.”
She cast him a glance. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to. But they can’t hurt me. I won’t be around long enough for that.”
“Famous last words.”
“I hope she goes for the idea,” Gray said as they mounted the porch steps.
The pizza’s enticing aroma wafted over from the box he carried. Shelby gave the box—and Gray—a once-over as she lifted her
hand to knock. Her lips twitched. “Well, it never hurts to come bearing gifts.”
The author’s home was a yellow Cape Cod with white shutters and a quaint front porch. It was rather ordinary except for its
island locale, which caused the property to be valued in the millions. It was one of only three islands in Cedar Lake and
the only one boasting a house. “I’ve always wanted to come here.”
“Who hasn’t? Can you imagine living on an island?”
Birds tweeted from a nearby pine tree and a squirrel scuttled through the leaves. It was the ideal location for someone who
wanted to escape the rest of the world.
Gray glanced around the wooded property and spoke softly. “No wonder she’s lonely.”
“She used to live near town but was having trouble meeting her deadlines.”
“So she moved to an island ?”
“Miss Phoebe’s a little... eccentric.”
The door swung open and the vivacious woman grabbed Shelby’s hands. “Sweetheart, I swear you just get prettier every time
I set eyes on you.”
“You’re one to talk, Miss Phoebe.” The author had a head full of auburn curls and green eyes that sparkled. She wore brick-red
lipstick that flattered her coloring and a light cardigan that skimmed her curvy figure. Her smile could light up a room.
That smile found Gray and her gaze swept over him from head to toe. “Well, hello there . Who do we have here?”
Shelby held back a chuckle. “This is Gray, the temporary business partner I told you about. Gray, meet Grandville’s famous
author.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Oh, pooh. Who is this ma’am you speak of? Call me Phoebe, honey. Shelby, you didn’t mention he was such a handsome devil.”
She stepped aside, letting them through. “Come in, come in. Have a seat at the table, my sweets. I’ll get us some tea. I’m
so eager for company. I’ve been neck-deep in this story for days on end...” Her voice trailed as she headed into the kitchen.
Gray followed Shelby into the small dining room and set the pizza box on the table. He leveled her with a stare. “You could’ve
warned me.”
Shelby waved him off. “So she’s a bit of a flirt.”
“She practically purred when I passed by.”
Shelby smothered a laugh.
His gaze sharpened on her as she barely held back a smile. “‘Bearing gifts,’ huh? Could’ve mentioned I was one of them.”