No promises,Chip replies cheerfully.But I’ll do my best.
For what it’s worth,Sherlock adds as they head toward the door,Jasper’s instincts about character are usually solid. And he likes this detective.
“Thanks,” I say, surprised by how much that means to me. “See you tomorrow.”
After they leave, the library feels both cozier and larger, if that’s possible. The fire continues to crackle, casting dancing shadows across the book spines, and I curl deeper into my chair with Chip purring in my lap like a furry engine of contentment.
I’m about to get up myself when my phone buzzes against my hip, and I pull it out to find the family group chat exploding with messages.
McKenna: Mom! Emma is amazing! She’s helping us coordinate the new daily parade schedule!
Riley: We’re coming to the park tomorrow to make it happen! It’s going to be SPOOK-TACULAR!
McKenna: Emma has SO many ideas. She’s like a business genius wrapped in college student energy.
Riley: Also, fair warning—Jack is coming too. For moral support. And maybe to help with the technical stuff.
McKenna: Also, for the record, Jack is MINE.
Riley: Dream on, sister. I saw him first.
McKenna: You literally met him thirty minutes before I did.
Riley: Thirty minutes is thirty minutes. That’s practically a lifetime in college dating terms.
I laugh, typing back.
Josie: You both have my permission to take over parade planning. Emma sounds like exactly what we need. Just try not to start a sister war over Detective Dreamboat Jr.
McKenna: His name is JACK, and he’s not Detective Dreamboat Jr.
Riley: No, Detective Dreamboat Jr. is actually perfect.I’m using that.
Before I can respond, Clyde’s name appears on the screen with a message that makes my blood pressure spike.
Clyde: Who is Jack? What’s going on there, Josie?
McKenna: Jack is Mom’s new boyfriend’s son.
Riley: Yeah, Dad. Mom’s got a BOYFRIEND now. A hot detective boyfriend with excellent biceps and access to both bullets and handcuffs.
My phone immediately starts buzzing with an incoming call from Clyde, which I decline with the satisfaction of someone who’s finally discovered the joy of the “ignore” button.
Clyde: You have a BOYFRIEND?! This has gone far enough, Josie. Knock this off! You’re ruining our family!
I stare at the message for a moment, then start laughing. Full belly laughs that echo through the library and make Chip look at me with concern.
“Ruining our family?” I read the message out loud to Chip. “The man who was caught doing unspeakable things with a yoga instructor in our guest bathroom is worried about me ruining our family?”
The audacity is breathtaking,Chip observes.Should we alert the authorities about this level of delusion?
I’m about to type back something appropriately sarcastic when my phone buzzes again. This time, the name on the screen makes my heart do a little tap dance—Detective Dreamboat.
“Oh no,” I mutter, realizing I still haven’t changed his contact information. “Please tell me he doesn’t see I have him saved as Detective Dreamboat if he ever looks at my phone.”
The message itself is simple and somehow makes my stomach flip.
Detective Dreamboat: Hey. Hope you made it back to the inn safely. Sorry that I had to leave so abruptly during dinner—wanted to apologize for that. Rain check on getting to finish our conversation?
