Page 174 of The Romance Adventure

“But the pearl and the map are where the trail ends,” I say.

“But we found a key, remember?”

I tip my head to the side, having forgotten about it.

“Should we go to the bank tomorrow and see if it belongs to a safe deposit box?”

“Yes, but first we should do this again.” Trailing kisses from the slope of Lally’s neck to her cheek, I spin her around. Once more, our mouths meet with a kiss and it unlocks something inside me.

Lally

CHAPTER 17

The next day, Magnus and I head over to the bank. On the way, we pass Ray Higbee, who stumps along toward the shoreline with a scowl on his face, which is no surprise, because I’ve never seen him wearing any other expression.

Slidell Williams slides by on his Segway with a wave. He and Ray are opposites—the former being jolly and the latter, well, scowly.

Amelia Cross sits on a bench bearing a plaque dedicated to her late husband because that was their spot, watching the water. Her weepy-eyed gaze doesn’t waver, nor does she look up as we pass.

I’m surprised to see them out, but not Rosalie and the rest of the Nosy Rosies.

When we enter the bank, we almost bump into Melly Lipman.

“Good morning, Mrs. Lipman.”

She looks me up and down as if unable to place me out of context.

“Lally McGuinness, poker nights.”

She adjusts her glasses. “I was distracted. My mind elsewhere. How are you today, dear?”

“Great. Do you know Magnus McGregor?”

“Of course I do.”

His brow creases. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Mrs. Lipman.”

“Not recently. You and your brothers were young, also distracted, your minds elsewhere.” She leans in and adds, “On one of your grandfather’s scavenger hunts, most likely.”

“Probably. It’s nice to formally meet you,” Magnus says.

“You have your hands full with the Manatee Jubilee. Is there anything else I can help with?” I ask.

“I’m here on personal business today. But I look forward to seeing you on poker night, dear.”

We say an abrupt goodbye. My, she was distracted. As we approach the bank teller, Magnus looks at me strangely, like he has questions for me, namely, why I play poker with a bunch of old folks. Or, more likely, considering he has a bunch of brothers, if I’m any good.

What I didn’t tell him when we discussed our families is that my mother has a gambling problem, and I grew up playing cards with her, so yeah, I’m good.

Magnus presents the safe deposit box key. “Does this go to a box here?”

She frowns. “Sorry, sir. I’m not⁠—”

He presents his identification. “My grandfather, Carlos Almeida, did his banking here.”

“But your last name is McGregor—?” the bank teller starts.

“Please check your records.” His tone is firm, an order.