He hesitated, then said quietly, “Amy just walked in… with your brother Thomas.”
I whipped around, then caught myself and forced it into a casual glance. Sure enough, across the other end of the diner, Amy slid into a booth, just made available, opposite Thomas. Their heads leaned close together.
“They’re whispering,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
Ian’s jaw tightened. “Maybe Beau has a reason to worry. You think he could be right that she might be planning to break things off with him?”
I took another look, sharper this time. Amy reached across the table, her fingers curling around Thomas’s hand. A second later, Thomas laid his hand over hers, as if sealing some unspoken promise.
My stomach dropped. “That… doesn’t look good.”
Ian leaned back, concern darkening his features. “Beau has been so happy with Amy. This will devastate him.”
“Don’t,” I warned, turning back to him. “Don’t say anything. Not yet. I intend to get to the bottom of this before anyone jumps to conclusions.”
Ian studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. “All right. But it doesn’t look innocent from here.”
“Maybe not,” I admitted, jabbing at my pancakes with my fork after our plates arrived. “But until I know for sure, we keep this between us.”
The pancakes were fluffy, the bacon perfectly crisp, and for a little while we just enjoyed the meal, letting the chatter of the diner roll around us like background music.
When Ian set down his fork, I could see the turn of his thoughts before he even spoke. “I was thinking a visit to see Marie at the bank might be useful. Alone. Just to check on how she’s doing… and maybe pick up a few details.”
I gave him a teasing smile. “Alone, hmm? And tell me—can I trust you with her?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice, his gaze holding mine. “You can, since I already have a gorgeous woman who stole my heart.”
The warmth of that stayed with me even as his expression changed, his eyes shifting past my shoulder once again. “Heads up. Amy’s headed this way.”
I straightened, but before I could say anything, Ian slid out of the booth.
“You don’t need to leave,” Amy said, once she reached us.
Ian offered her a polite smile. “Appreciate that, Amy, but I’ve got someplace I need to be.” He gave my shoulder a light squeeze, then headed for the door.
Amy slid into the seat across from me and I didn’t waste a moment. “So, what’s up with you and Thomas?”
Her eyes widened, then she shook her head. “Pep, I gave Thomas my word I wouldn’t say anything.”
I leaned in, blunt as ever. “Are you planning to ditch Beau?”
Amy’s whole body stilled. She shook her head quickly, her blonde hair shifting over one shoulder. Today she wore a white sundress scattered with bold coral flowers, the kind of print that turned heads without trying. A wide belt cinched her waist, showing off her figure, and her strappy wedge sandals matched the coral in the dress perfectly. Beside her on the seat, she set down a woven straw purse with a silk scarf knotted through the handle—a little flourish only Amy would think of. She had a way of looking like she’d just stepped out of a magazine spread, even in a small-town diner.
“No, it’s not that,” she said firmly. “But Beau… he seems different with me lately.”
“Maybe because he’s worried you’re going to break up with him,” I said. “You’ve been so busy these past few weeks that you’ve had no time for friends, and it looks like your boyfriend as well. And let’s face it, most men don’t know how to say things directly.” I asked what I didn’t want to. “Or could it be that your feelings for Thomas are resurfacing?”
Her eyes dropped to the table, her fingers brushing the edge of the table. “I don’t know,” she admitted softly. “I don’t know how I’m feeling right now.”
I sat back, my tea cooling between my palms, wishing I had an easy answer for her and for Beau.
If there was one thing I knew about myself, it was this… I didn’t let mysteries lie. Not in Willow Lake, not when it involved the people I loved.
Amy stared into Ian’s empty cup of tea, her thoughts clearly tangled, while mine spun just as fast. I kept my smile in place, but inside I’d already set my course. I was going to get to the bottom of whatever it was that she gave her word to Thomas not to tell anyone, no matter what it took.
My phone buzzed on the table. I slid it closer, angling the screen away from Amy.
Meet me at the Lodge when you can,Ian’s text read.
