“I should be with you when you’re gathering information.”
“You’re going to be the mayor today — at least for the morning — and I’m going to be the sheriff.” There was no give to his tone. “After lunch, we’ll talk about plans going forward.”
I could have argued with him. I wanted to argue with him. I decided to be smart for a change.
“Let’s eat,” I suggested. “If I’m hangry, this conversation won’t go well. It’s better we have it on full stomachs.”
He gave me a sidelong look. “I won’t change my mind.”
I wasn’t going to change mine either. It was still better to wait. “Breakfast,” I said. “After that, we’ll figure things out.”
“Fine.” The cock of his eyebrow told me he was willing to go to war. Well, that made two of us.
9
NINE
Galen could hold a grudge but almost never did with me. He wasn’t angry about what had happened at Wesley’s farm — he wasn’t happy by any stretch, but he feared it would happen again.
We both knew that I would cross over to get my grandfather. It wasn’t a question of if, but when.
I was willing to put off my return long enough to come up with a plan, but I wouldn’t wait forever.
Galen chased me down the stairs after our shared shower — he was feeling frisky after playtime — and he gave my butt a light smack as we entered the kitchen, saying something about spanking me if I wasn’t careful. He pulled up short at the sight of his mother in the kitchen.
Marjory had let herself into the lighthouse without being invited more than once. Always — it looked as if today wouldn’t be the exception — she did it under the pretense of cooking us breakfast. The food items spread over the counter suggested that’s exactly what she was doing this morning.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said, glancing between us. “If there’s to be spanking I can leave.”
“That would be great,” Galen replied blandly.
I shot him a quelling look and stepped forward. “We were just screwing around. There will be no actual spanking.”
Galen shot me a hot look, but I ignored him.
“I’m cooking omelets,” Marjory said brightly. “I have all of your favorite ingredients, Galen.”
“Am I supposed to thank you for that?” he challenged.
“Well, I am doing something nice.” Marjory met her son’s even gaze. “Thanks are normally welcome under those circumstances.”
“We didn’t ask you to come here.” The way Galen’s nostrils flared told me he was close to losing it.
“We’re happy to see you,” I lied. I wouldn’t have picked this morning for Marjory to offer her olive branch, but I didn’t have a choice in the matter so I opted to look on the bright side. “It’s a surprise, but a good one.”
Marjory beamed at me.
Galen's expression was wary. “Why are you here?”
“I heard about Wesley.” Marjory flashed me a sympathetic look. “I thought I could be of service.”
“Oh, really?” Galen crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you going to load up a backpack and head into the woods looking for him?”
I was desperate to keep the situation from exploding. “I appreciate you coming,” I offered, and I actually meant it. “I’m really worried about Wesley.”
“There are rumors flying around,” Marjory hedged.
Galen barked out a humorless laugh. “You’re not here to help, you’re here for the gossip.”
