She notched her chin upward. “And not very gentlemanly of you to point it out. Are you going to help me or not?”
“Not.” He started to slide the door closed.
She stuck her foot in the door before it shut. “Wait! Seriously?”
“It’s been a long day. I’m tired and hungry.”
“But you have to help me. You know the woman. Surely she’ll shoot straight with you.”
“She won’t even let me check out a library book. Listen. Maybe you’re better off working the jewelry store angle.”
“I already tried that. Our guy didn’t buy the ring at the local store, and they have no way of tracking jewelry bought elsewhere. Ms.Stapleton is the key to this whole thing, and I could just tell she knows where that book came from.”
“Maybe she’ll inform the book’s owner herself.”
“I did leave her my number just in case, but I can’t count on that. Time is of the essence. Just go with me to the church and have a word with her.”
Sadie did her best to appear helpless and hopeful, adding an eyelash flutter for good measure.
His gaze roved over her features. Then his lips pressed together and his jaw hardened. “I’m not attending church there, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“You don’t have to. The last day of the library sale is tomorrow from nine till one. Just come with me and have a chat with her. Please?”
“I work tomorrow.”
She huffed. “Don’t you take a lunch break?” She didn’t know what the big deal was. The church was just twenty-five minutes away and only required basic conversational skills. Then again...
“I’ll think about it.”
He had tothinkabout it? She kept herself, just barely, from stamping her foot. “Fine. But just remember, some man went to a lot of trouble to make his woman happy, and your friend, the librarian, is the only thing standing in the way of their happily ever after.”
“Well, as long as it’s no big deal.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I’ll let you know later tonight. After I’ve had some food.” And then he slid the door closed.
***
Sam did not want to go to that church. He headed straight into the kitchen and went to work making a deli-meat sandwich.
First of all, there was a chance he’d run into people he knew. They’d tilt their heads and give him those pitying looks he’d really come to hate. Then word would undoubtedly spread to his family that he’d been back to Bluffton. The distance between there and Tucker Island wasn’t much, but he wanted to keep that barrier in place for now. He wasn’t ready to face all the weddingstuff or commit to the wedding itself. That’s why he’d come here to begin with.
That new neighbor of his couldn’t seem to help but disturb his peace with her ridiculous noise and imposing requests. Plus there were those sun-kissed shoulders.
He toyed with the idea of calling Ms.Stapleton. But no, he wouldn’t get anywhere with her on the phone. He’d be lucky to get through to her in person. He’d always suspected she wasn’t a fan of little boys. Maybe she wasn’t too fond of men either, as she’d never married.
He finished stacking the turkey, drizzled on some mustard, then topped the sandwich with a bun and added chips to the plate. He carried it along with a bottled water to the dining room table. After working in the heat all day, the air-conditioning felt good. Plus Sadie was probably outside with her yappy dog, just waiting to pressure him about Ms.Stapleton.
He understood. The lost ring was a big deal to the poor chump who was about to turn over his life to some woman who’d probably break his heart somewhere down the line.
Yeah, he was a little jaded.
He picked up his sandwich and was about to take a big bite when his phone vibrated with a phone call. He checked the screen.
Mom.
He was starving and really wanted to forget about his life back in Bluffton for the rest of the day. But that old familiar son-guilt kicked in, reminding him of all the laundry, dishes, and home-cooked meals. Of all the baseball games attended, homework assisted, and prayers sent up. Not to mention thenot-so-small matter of the long labor and delivery of his nine-pound-two-ounce body that she brought up on occasion.
