“Do you always have to be the one driving?”
He opened the passenger door for her. “Yep.”
“Well, since you have such nice manners, I’ll let it slide.” She climbed inside the cab and waited while he rounded the front. She breathed in the scents of grass and gasoline, with a hint of leather—a unique bouquet she’d already come to associate with Sam. She wasn’t overly fond of any of these aromas, but somehow, taken as a whole, the effect was quite addictive.
He got into the cab, donned his sunglasses, and started the truck. “Aaron’s place is only ten minutes away. It’s right downtown. Got the book?”
She patted her purse. “Right here. Though I don’t see any scenario that would end with us handing it over to him.”
“Not him, maybe. But he could lead us to the right person—apparently that former renter.”
“I sure hope so.”
As the miles passed, they chatted about their families. Sam obviously enjoyed a close relationship with his parents—even his sister, though they clearly liked to give each other a hard time. Sadie wondered about that family tension he’d mentioned before, but how bad could it be? He didn’t seem to be dreading a meal with them today.
Hearing him talk about his family with obvious affection made guilt prick at her heart. She was in no big hurry to return to Pennsylvania. She loved her parents and they loved her, but the push and pull of their marriage had worn her down over the years. It was easier to maintain a relationship from afar where she wasn’t so easily drawn into the drama.
Before she knew it they were heading into downtown. The heart of Tucker Island consisted of a string of old brightly painted cottages set close to both sides of the two-lane road. Shops and boutiques abounded: a surf store, a fudge shop, and a quaint flower shop called Bayside Blossoms, housed in a darling cottage painted cotton-candy pink. Farther down toward the marina, there was PJ’s Clam Shack, a small gallery, a boat charter, and a shanty called Billy’s Bar, sided with rough-hewn planks that seemed weathered by years of sand and wind.
Sam pulled along the curb in front of the art gallery, which was painted a pretty aqua shade and trimmed in white. Low-growing palms squatted under the plate-glass window alongside bright-blooming hibiscus bushes.
Sadie frowned at the building. “Is this it?”
“It’s the right address. The gallery’s new. This used to be a hair salon.” He leaned toward her, peering out her window. “Looks like there might be an apartment above the shop.”
“You’re right. There are steps leading up to it. Let’s go.”
She grabbed her purse and exited the truck. The rickety staircase moved with her weight, and the paint on the handrails was peeling. The steps ended at a landing, and since there was no doorbell, she knocked on the white steel door.
Sam remained two steps below, putting them eye-to-eye. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but there was still plenty to recommend his face. A straight nose that flared gently above his short-cropped mustache. High, chiseled cheekbones and a groomed beard that called attention to a pair of lips that seemed impossibly soft.
“What?” he asked.
The door opened, obliterating her thoughts.
“Can I help you?” The tenant appeared to be in his early twenties. Dirty-blond hair hung attractively around a baby face, and a wrinkled T-shirt and khaki shorts hung from his slim frame.
“Are you Aaron?” she asked.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Hi, I’m Sadie and this is Sam. Your mother gave us your address.”
“Right, right. She texted me, said you’d be coming by. Y’all want to come in? Place is kind of a mess, but it’s my day off and likely to stay that way.”
“Sure, thanks.” Sadie followed the guy into his apartment. The living room was dark and gloomy even with the lights on.
Aaron pushed open the heavy curtains, and sunlight flooded in to reveal old wooden floors and white plaster walls. A hodgepodge of furniture sat around an area rug that had seen better days.
“Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thanks,” Sam said.
Sadie perched on the sofa beside Sam. “Did your mom tell you we were asking about the book?”
Aaron scraped his hair off his forehead. “Sure, yeah. The one I gave her. I can’t tell you much about it though. It was left behind when I moved in. The place was partially furnished and I found it inside that desk over there.” He pointed to an old dark-stained desk with a sloped top.
“Mind if I take a look?” Sam asked.
