My gaze shifts to Beau, and my heart stutters a little. See? Big problem.
“Yep,” I say. “Call me crazy, but I like being able to go to thepharmacy without everyone making conjectures about what’s wrong with me.”
“They gossip because they care.”
“Sounds like an abusive relationship. Let’s just agree that Presley James came to the wrong place if she was looking for anonymity.”
“Maybe,” he says. “She might not have anonymity here, and the islanders may gossip about thingsad nauseum, but they’re also a very loyal town, and they’d protect her if push came to shove.”
Thankfully, we’ve arrived at the resort because I don’t know how to respond to that. All I can hear in Beau’s compliments about the island is that my family wasn’t worth protecting.
He’s right in that way, though—the island is loyal. Loyal in their love and their hatred.
I follow Beau at a discreet distance with my phone at the ready while he does a check around the property. It turns out our Peeping Tom is just one of the gardeners, working in the bushes.
We head to Presley’s door, and Beau knocks. I’ve got to say, if I ever had to get terrible news from a police officer, I’d want it to be someone as caring as Beau.
“Who is it?” the feminine voice behind the door asks.
“It’s Officer Palmer and my…assistant.”
The door opens, revealing a familiar face. Presley James is every bit as beautiful as she is on the big screen. I’ve seen her with a lot of hairstyles and colors, but right now, her dark brown hair is cut bluntly just above her shoulders.
“Just wanted to let you know that you have nothing to worry about,” Beau says. “It was one of the resort gardeners in your bushes. Apparently, he lost control of one of his tools and worried it flew into your window, so he was looking to see if it was inside. He found it in a nearby bush.”
Presley lets out a breath of relief, hand over her heart. “Thank you, Officer. I’m sorry I’m so paranoid.”
“It’s no problem at all,” Beau says with a smile. “It’s what I’m here for. Call whenever you need.”
I stifle a scoff as my gaze shifts between them smiling at each other. I can’t blame Beau if he’s starstruck right now—I am too—but I blame him anyway.
Presley looks at me and smiles. “Thanks for your help.”
“Glad to do it,” I say. “If you’re feeling safe, we should get going. Crimes don’t solve themselves, you know!”
“Oh, yeah, of course,” she says. “I won’t keep you. Thank you again.”
Beau nods, and Presley closes the door.
“What crimes are we in a rush to solve again?” Beau asks.
“The crime of your ogling Presley James,” I say, striding down the hallway toward the exit.
“Hold on,” Beau says, his voice full of amusement. “Are youjealous, GG?”
“I’m embarrassed,” I say. “It’s very different.” But Iama little jealous.
I stare at the birdfeeder,which is back on Palmer land again the next afternoon.
Eugene gave me the welcome news this morning that we’ve got a showing set up for tomorrow with a very motivated buyer, and I’m feelinggood. Good enough to take things up a notch with this battle.
“Unbelievable,” I say, hands on my hips. This could go on indefinitely, and I don’t have indefinitely. I’m leaving in two days. I need a victory now. “Okay, Officer Palmer. I see how it is. Let’s test just how far you’re willing to go to win this war, shall we?”
Beau’s cart isn’t in his driveway, but his brother Tristan’s is. I wait until the driveway is empty. It’s my time to shine.
I extract the birdfeeder from its location in Palmerville and bring it back where it belongs. But this time, I don’t set it in the front yard or the side yard. I take it all the way to the back.
I stand in the yard for a few minutes, strategizing as an idea takes form in my mind. With it, my smile grows until it’s an all-out grin. The type of grin the Grinch would wear as he concocts an evil plan. But mine won’t end with “Dahoo Dores.”
