Page 23 of Island Whispers

And maybe, during a drive on a sunny evening, she’d be willing to tell him why she’d run out on him that night. He really shouldn’t obsess like this. It couldn’t be healthy. But he didn’t feel as if he had a choice. Telling himself to forget her hadn’t worked when he’d been searching. Now that she was right here in sight and within reach constantly, he couldn’t stop thinking about the what-ifs for the future.

As soon as the case was closed, he could ask her out and—if she was receptive—he could open up about his unfaltering attraction for her. For the relationship he wanted to explore with her.

He’d never had this urge before. Couldn’t frame it within any previous context. He suspected his sister would have a blast teasing him if—when—she found out. Because if he had to keep his feelings locked down, he would need someone to vent to while he waited.

Now wasn’t the time to ask Nina to deal with anything new. For the time being, he would show her she could rely on him. Everything else had to wait.

“I need to drop off new arrangements at the Hargrave place. They have guests checking in tomorrow afternoon.”

Hargrave wasn’t familiar to him, so he would look it up. “And the drive?”

“I guess we can do that. After the drop off.”

If they were dropping off flowers, he supposed that meant taking her car as it was better suited for deliveries. He would alert Jess, though he didn’t anticipate much of a problem. It wasn’t as if they had any evidence that Spratt was close enough to follow or interfere.

She surprised him by closing the shop an hour ahead of the posted time on the door. “On a day like today, no one will notice.”

He’d take her word for it. They loaded up the flowers and they both moved to the driver’s door. He shook his head. “I’m driving. You can navigate.”

She looked poised to argue. “You’re ready to play the security card, aren’t you?”

“If I need to, yes.”

With a wry laugh, she subsided, tossing him the keys. “Let’s hope I only ever need to see your evasive maneuvers on a practice course.”

He would not use that opening to ask why she’d been so set on evading him. This situation was about her, not his bruised feelings.

Following her directions, he drove over to the bed and breakfast marked with a wooden sign out front that announced the Hargrave Hideaway. The beach house, set back from the road, made a great first impression. Modern lines with crisp white siding and ocean blue trim at the windows and doors gave off loads of charm and serious beach vibes.

“Nash does the landscaping. They have a private cove with stunning views out back.”

“They?”

“Three sisters. This was their family vacation home. When their mom died of cancer—after spending her final hospice weeks here—their dad sort of ran off. He gave the house to the girls and told them to do whatever they wanted with it.”

“That’s tough.”

“It is, yes,” Nina agreed.

In Boone’s mind, a healthy family stuck together. Maybe it was an outdated view, but he didn’t see it changing for him. Then again, grief was a bitch. He’d been off-kilter and moody since Nina had walked out on him after just one night. He couldn’t sit here and judge another man for grieving his loss in whatever way helped.

“Do the sisters get along?”

“Better than most siblings, I’d say.” Nina smiled and he followed her gaze. “There’s Celeste. She’s the oldest and heads up their new hospitality business.”

Boone went to get the arrangements out of the back, letting the women chat a minute. Nina made introductions and he fell in behind them carrying the box of flowers up the drive. A side garden, framed by low hedges created a relaxed courtyard between the drive and a side porch. Colorful tropical flowers bloomed in a bright and fragrant greeting.

Boone nearly dropped the box of flowers when he stepped into the kitchen and saw a shaded patio, the pool, and a sliver of the cove beyond. All of it set against a backdrop of the clear horizon. “Wow.” He gawked as Nina helped him steer the box to the countertop.

“Do you want a tour?” Celeste offered.

She was pretty, her golden-brown hair caught in a loose ponytail. Gracious, her smile sincere, there was a sadness that lingered in her gaze.

“You don’t have guests?” He didn’t want to be rude. He also didn’t want to leave Nina alone in such an isolated spot.

“Only one couple and they’re out fishing. We have other rooms I can show you. And the common areas of course.”

He glanced at Nina. “You up for a tour?”