His frustrated sigh was long and familiar.
“On the down low, Pepper, and keep me apprized,” he whispered, then turned to Ian. “And you keep tabs on her.
“Aye, sir,” Ian said, his Scottish brogue thick.
I gave my dad a hug, I could see he needed it, and whispered, “My superhero.”
He smiled and strode off, muttering all the way.
Back in the SUV, Ian started the engine, his mouth twitching. “Villain mustaches, heroines tied to the tracks, turn-down service, and Hershey bars.”
“Laugh all you want,” I said, buckling in. “Madge notices things. And between her story and Stone conveniently forgetting to mention the cameras, we’ve got threads worth tugging.”
Ian gave me a sidelong look. “And I know you—you’ll tug until the whole thing unravels.”
“Exactly,” I said, satisfaction curling in my chest. “Because threads always lead somewhere. So, with it being Saturday, the bank shut its doors at noon, and the employees scattered like pigeons at a fireworks show. No time for you to talk with Marie again today. That leaves us with time on our hands.”
“Yesterday’s Treasures?” Ian said along with me, and we turned onto Main Street.
“A parking spot,” I yelled as we were a few stores from Kate’s shop and Ian pulled right into it.
“I love that we share the same interests,” he said, taking hold of my hand as we crossed the street to the shop.
I grinned. “And we’ll probably find half a dozen things we can’t live without. That’s the magic of Kate’s place.”
The bell above the door jingled as we stepped inside. The place was bustling, customers weaving between rooms and three floors crowded with vintage finds and antiques. The air smelled faintly of lavender polish and old paper.
I spotted Beau soon after entering, tall and brooding in the corner, looking in the glass case where Kate displayed some of her jewelry finds. He looked like a man trying to solve a complicated puzzle with no instructions.
“Beau?” I called softly.
He looked up, his face easing when he saw us. “Hey. I’m, uh… looking for something for Amy. She likes pins, right? Vintage ones?”
“Yes, she does,” I said, and he returned to stare at the pins.
Ian stepped closer, his hand taking hold of mine, urging me back away from Beau, and leaned down to murmur in my ear. “Pep, I can’t keep this from him. He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t expect him to hide something from me either. If Beau saw you with another man, I’d want him to tell me.”
“Fine,” I whispered back. “But I want nothing to do with it. Amy’s my best friend.”
He nodded, then went to Beau and clapped him on the shoulder. The two men stepped aside, voices low. A minute later, Beau returned, his expression tightened.
“Pep,” he said, “you’ve always been honest with me. Tell me the truth—what’s going on with Amy?”
My chest squeezed. “Honestly, Beau, I don’t know. But I do know she cares about you. Be patient with her for now. Give her space to sort through whatever’s on her mind.”
Beau studied me, then let out a long breath. “Patience isn’t my strong suit when it comes to someone I love.”
“All the more reason for having patience with her. Now, look at this one.” I pointed to a delicate silver pin shaped like a leaf, a pearl at the stem. “Amy would like that one.”
He bought it without hesitation, determination burning in his eyes. He wasn’t letting Amy go.
Before I could say more, the bell over the door jingled, catching my attention. My brother Josh strode in, his gazescanning the shop until it landed on Kate behind the sales counter.
“Why haven’t you answered my texts?” he demanded after reaching her in a voice that he no doubt thought was low enough.
He was wrong.
Kate looked up, cheeks flushed and hair escaping its clip. The store was crowded, customers waving items at her, voices overlapping. She spread her hands as if to say,Do you see me drowning here?
