“You’ll see.”
They figured it out when he pulled into the marina.
“The boat,” Jack said, a big smile breaking across his face. He slapped his thigh. “Outstanding.”
Mitch parked and turned to look at Jack. “I thought maybe you’d like to get out on the water, do a little fishing. Take your mind off of things.”
Jack clapped his hand onto Mitch’s shoulder. “Well done, brother. This is exactly what I needed.”
Harper smiled at Mitch. The appreciation in her gaze was clear.
Mitch hopped out and grabbed the cooler. Harper and Jack got out, too. Mitch led the way as they all headed for the marina office and the slips.
Jack kept pace with Mitch. “Been a minute since I’ve been here. Kai still around?”
“Yep, he’s here,” Mitch said.
Right on cue, Kai stepped out of the office. “Jack Marsh, is that you?”
Jack stuck his hand out, grinning. “Kai, my brother, long time. How are you?” Jack grabbed Kai’s hand and pulled him into a hug.
“It’s good to see you, mate.” Kai pounded Jack on the back before letting him go.
“You, too,” Jack said.
Kai looked at Mitch. “You taking her out?”
“I am. We need a little bait. Have you got anything?”
Kai nodded. “I can hook you up with some frozen shrimp. Those ought to do all right for you.”
Mitch nodded. “Put them on my tab.”
“Just a second.” Kai ducked back into the office and came out a few seconds later with a thick Ziploc baggie of frozen pink shrimp. “There you go. Need anything else?”
“Nope. If anyone asks if Jack was here, you never saw him.”
Kai grinned. “Who?” He gave them an exaggerated wink.
Harper laughed.
While Harper and Jack got settled in the cabin, Mitch fired the boat up. Kai helped untie the craft, then Mitch gave him a wave and got them underway.
He pulled his ball cap down a bit more, sunglasses firmly in place when he turned into the inlet and approached the paparazzi boats. He ignored them as he went by. He glanced toward Harper’s house. Willa was lying on a lounger with a hat over her face. Archie was under Willa’s chair, and the enormous flamingo drifted across the pool like a hot pink parade float.
He smiled and kept heading out to sea.
The photographers on the other boats gave him a cursory glance, then went back to their stakeout. Mitch’s smile got bigger. It was nice not to be too recognizable. He really hoped they got bored enough to go home soon.
His sympathies were completely with Jack. Not only was he being harassed by Monica, but now he had the paparazzi bothering him. Being stalked was no way to live. Crazy that it was legal when you were considered a public figure. Like that should make a difference.
Another few minutes and he looked back. Hideaway Bay was fading from view as he went up the coast. He leaned toward the cabin’s door, and announced, “All clear.”
Harper and Jack came out. Harper had a book in her hands. She took a seat on the padded bench behind Mitch.
Jack stood next to him and stretched his arms out wide, inhaling the salt air. “Now this is more like it.” He nodded, hands coming to rest on his hips as he looked over at Mitch. “I owe you one, man.”
Mitch shook his head. “You don’t owe me a thing. Not after everything your dad did for me. Although if you want to catch something for dinner, I wouldn’t be mad about it.”
