She turned and caught him staring.
He looked away. He shouldn’t be thinking about her hair or her personality or the lingering kisses they’d once shared on this very boat. Did her boyfriend know they were taking this little excursion today?
“There’s a rumor going around about you.”
He winced at the memory of being hauled into the back of Officer Remington’s cruiser Friday night. “Shocker.”
“Miss Patsy heard from Lou Greenwell that you were hauled away in handcuffs Friday night after being arrested on a drunk and disorderly charge. Word has it you did some real damage over at Dirty Harry’s.”
“Obviously untrue.”
She shook her head as she steered toward Eagle Island. “The grapevine sure keeps it entertaining.”
“It was actually a DUI.”
Her gaze darted to him, the grin sliding from her mouth.“What?”
Might as well get it out there. “I was pulled over and taken in—that part’s true enough. They took me to the station, but the Breathalyzer proved me completely sober. Good to hear the grapevine’s still alive and well though.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What could you have done? It worked out.”
“Worked out? I could’ve—” She huffed. “Was this a setup? Was Mason Remington involved in this?”
She’d always been so defensive of Gray. It had been a new and welcome feeling having someone on his side, ready to defend him. But he didn’t need her to come to his defense now. She had a business to save and she needed this community’s support now more than ever. “Let it go, Shelby.”
“They can’t arrest you simply because they don’t want you here.”
Oh yeah? “Seems they can.”
“You have to report him.”
“Who’s going to believe me, Shelby? The folks at the precinct seemed pretty delighted to see me behind bars.”
“This isn’t right. We should file a complaint.”
“It’s over and done with. I won’t be here long—and until I leave I can fight my own battles.”
“You always were stubborn beyond reason.”
He stared at her pointedly. “Pot, meet kettle.”
She throttled down as they neared the island with only the one house. He didn’t like the set of her jutted chin. Didn’t want her getting caught in the cross fire. “Stay out of this, Shelby. Promise me.”
She cast him a glance. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to. But they can’t hurt me. I won’t be around long enough for that.”
“Famous last words.”
“I hope she goes for the idea,” Gray said as they mounted the porch steps.
The pizza’s enticing aroma wafted over from the box he carried. Shelby gave the box—and Gray—a once-over as she lifted her hand to knock. Her lips twitched. “Well, it never hurts to come bearing gifts.”
The author’s home was a yellow Cape Cod with white shutters and a quaint front porch. It was rather ordinary except for its island locale, which caused the property to be valued in the millions. It was one of only three islands in Cedar Lake and the only one boasting a house. “I’ve always wanted to come here.”
“Who hasn’t? Can you imagine living on an island?”
