Page 8 of Island Whispers
Boone could see the man was fuming, so he tried to include him in the decisions. “We were debating the wisdom of whether or not I should pose as her boyfriend.”
“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Nash groused.
“Well, that would certainly make my appearance in her life easier.”
“No,” Nash said. “It’s not personal. Hell, I don’t even know you. My point is she doesn’t have a boyfriend and Mom knows that. They’re close.” He glared at Jess. “How on earth did you expect to sell that story?”
Jess narrowed her gaze. “Guess I was hoping for a little luck. And some support. Also, your sister is a grown woman and doesn’t tell her mom everything.”
“You’re wrong.” Nash folded his arms.
Something flashed in Jess’s gaze and Boone would put his money on her. She suspected there was more to Nina’s love life than the brother wanted to consider.
Boone didn’t mind a few secrets. An interesting client was always more fun than one who obeyed every specific directive.
Nash flicked that away. “Why isn’t being on the island enough protection? What’s the point of knowing every single person in town if you can’t use it to your advantage?”
“How many tourists came to the island in the last three days, Nash?” Jess asked, her voice full of sugar.
“Don’t know. You can’t possibly know that either.”
“Not exact numbers, no. And that’s my point. Hundreds—possibly thousands—of unfamiliar people come through on a given day. We can’t shut down the island because your sister witnessed a crime.”
He started to protest, but she cocked her head and he stopped. Something silent passed between them.
“You’re right.” He slumped back in the chair. “You’re right. And yes, I trust your judgment.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Security is your thing. But she’s my sister.”
Boone felt like he was getting a crash course in marital communication. He’d seen similar things through the years with his sister and her husband, but these two were ahead of the curve, in his opinion.
Jess nodded with understanding. “And she’ll soon be my sister-in-law. She called me, Nash. I need you to let me handle this.”
“Of course. But I’d ditch the undercover idea.”
“If not her new boyfriend, is there some sort of business connection that would explain my presence around your sister?”
Nash eyed him. “You know anything about flowers?”
He reached for something more than the scent of the woman who’d walked out on him. “I do actually. My grandmother had extensive gardens in California. I lived with her during the summers. She made table arrangements for the retirement home in town.”
Nash bobbed his head. “Impressive. What about music?”
“All I know about music I learned on my last assignment,” Boone admitted. The assignment that ended with the mystery woman’s disappearance. “Jess, you know I’ll learn whatever I need to for the client or the situation.”
Jess checked her phone. “Logan is almost here. Let’s just wait. Nina will want to have a say in how we proceed.”
“Don’t let her get hurt," Nash leveled the directive at Boone.
“Haven’t lost anyone yet,” Boone replied. The woman who left him in the hotel didn’t count. She wasn’t an assignment. “I don’t plan to start now.”
“Thanks.” Nash scrubbed at his face. “I know you’ll do whatever it takes.”
“That’s how we roll,” Jess confirmed. “Now get going before she gets here. She doesn’t want the family to worry. That’s why she called me instead of you.”
Nash grumbled, but he kissed his future wife and headed out. “I’ll play along with whatever story you guys come up with.”
Minutes later the office door opened and for a moment the sunlight behind them blended the two figures into one blurry, awkward silhouette.
But when the door closed and the glare was gone, Boone got the shock of his life.