Most days, Sam wouldn’t even get out of bed if it weren’t for Dooley. Before Dooley, he had lain in there until noon a few days. But now, Dooley jumped up there at seven thirty every morning. Sam knew he had to get up to feed the dog and take him out. Dooley was depending on him, so he forced himself to get up.
That was getting easier lately, and he’d even started venturing downtown and taking the dog to the beach—things he hadn’t done since Jean died. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or not. It felt hollow and empty, like something was missing. Of course he missed Jean, but it was more than that. It was like he didn’t have a purpose.
Dooley woofed and sniffed a pile of something gooey on the sidewalk. Sam’s attention drifted to a parked car. It was a pale-blue Nissan, and a woman sat inside. She was reading a newspaper. How odd.Who does that in a car?
No, not exactly reading…He slowed down. Now that was very strange—she was scrunched down inside, peering over the paper as if canvassing the street. And she was wearing ridiculously large sunglasses. It reminded him of a comical version of all the stakeouts he’d been on when he was a detective.
Feelings of those times came flooding back. The excitement of the chase. The mental stimulation of following the clues to catch a dangerous criminal. The feeling that he was doing something useful, something good for society. But those days were long gone. There wasn’t much to feel useful about anymore. Except Dooley.
Dooley tugged the leash, and Sam started walking again. “You know what, boy? Maybe we’ll walk to the beach today instead of taking the car.”
Dooley’s tail wagged faster, and he picked up the pace.
CHAPTERTHREE
Jane was bringing the last of the dishes from the book club meeting out to the kitchen when the front door of Tides opened and Mr. Smith came in. He started for the stairs then, upon noticing her, stopped short.
“Good morning! Were you out walking the beach? It’s a bit chilly but gorgeous for a walk.” Jane glanced out toward the ocean, where sunbeams bounced off cobalt waves.
He held up a shopping bag, barely making eye contact with her. “Had to pick some things up.”
“Well, maybe later you can walk. It will be warm in the afternoon.” Jane tried to keep the cheery tone in her voice even though Mr. Smith was already heading toward the stairs.
Liz came into the foyer, carrying a pile of freshly laundered sheets and pillowcases. Jane had been having her do some of the chores that had piled up during the busy season since there was only one guest for her to see to at the moment.
“He sure is a strange one,” Liz whispered after his door clicked closed.
“You can say that again. Seems very solitary and a little bit sad. I bet there’s a story there.” Jane continued on toward the kitchen, and Liz followed.
“Bunny thinks he’s up to something.” Liz put the laundry on the long pine table and started folding.
Jane turned from the sink. “What would he possibly be up to?”
Liz shrugged. “Beats me. You know Bunny—her imagination is very active.”
Jane laughed. She really liked Bunny with her messy, silver-threaded auburn curls and fun attitude, and she had to admit it was a little weird that Mr. Smith had been in the hallway like that at the book club meeting.
“What’s his first name, anyway? I keep calling himMr.Smith. Seems very formal.”
Jane squinted to remember. He’d filled out the forms online, shown her some credentials when he checked in, and paid in cash. She tried to picture the card he’d shown her.Was it his license?She couldn’t remember. “I think it’s Reginald.”
“You mean our one and only guest?” Brenda the cook turned from the stove she’d been cleaning. “He’s not weird. He’s very polite.”
Brenda had been the cook at Tides for decades and insisted on making breakfast even though there was only one guest. Sometimes she even insisted when there were no guests. Brenda was more like family than an employee, though, and Jane loved having her around. Plus, she cooked a mean breakfast.
“You’ve spoken to him?” Jane was surprised. As far as she knew, the man mostly stayed in his room. He’d certainly never tried to be friendly to Jane.
“Yeah. Came down for breakfast yesterday. Hearty appetite on that one.” Brenda beamed. Anyone who appreciated her breakfasts was just fine in her book.
“He never says much to me,” Liz said.
“Guess I’ve got the magic touch,” Brenda joked.
“Have you seen Andie?” Jane asked Brenda. “I thought she was going to meet us here.”
“She was here earlier with Mike, but she left,” Liz said.
Jane frowned.Why would Andie and Mike be together?Her sister and boyfriend were good friends, but she didn’t think they hung out together.And why would neither one of them stop by to see me?“Are you sure she was with Mike?”
