Page 90 of Unexpected Entanglement

“Chris must’ve told you we’re dealing with several issues,” Rowan said.

“He did, but he wasn’t free with the details.”

“She just got here. We’re jumping straight to problems?” Kieran scowled at Rowan.

Rowan frowned at her brother, clearly taken aback by his objection. “What do you suggest we do, Kieran?”

Kieran turned to Rae and considered for a beat before saying, “I’d like to show you the property.”

“We’ll do that, Kieran, but we have more pressing things to discuss,” Rowan interrupted.

“This is not how Dad would want us to introduce Bright Head to her,” Kieran argued.

“Connor Gibbes drove her here from the ferry. First, we need to know exactly what Gibbes might’ve dug out during that ride,” Rowan fired back.

“What? How did Gibbes—” Kieran was about to ask.

“Excuse me,” Rae cut in, unwilling to be left out of the conversation. “Stop arguing as if I’m not here. What is it about Connor Gibbes that I need to know? I thought he was your neighbor. He seems nice enough, though maybe a bit nosy.”

Both Rowan and Kieran’s heads spun to Rae.

“What did he ask you?” Rowan asked, while Kieran demanded, “What did you tell him?”

Chris exchanged glances with Alex as they watched the siblings interact. Chris could tell Alex had also expected a different interplay during this meeting. They were both ready to jump in as mediators.

“He asked the usual questions at first. Is it my first visit to the island? Why am I going to Bright Head? Who am I to the Kellys? Seemed mundane enough, but it was persistent.”

“And what did you tell him?” Rowan asked.

“I told him I was invited, that’s all.”

“What about your relation to us?” Kieran asked.

“I didn’t tell him anything about that. I know there’s a wedding happening this weekend. I let him think that’s what I’m here for.”

“So you didn’t tell him about Dad or the will?” Kieran questioned.

“Why would I reveal such a personal matter to someone I just met?” Rae glared at him.

“I don’t know. You put a lot of personal stuff in your books,” Rowan said flippantly.

“You read my books?” Rae asked.

Rowan shrugged. “I wanted to get a feel for you.”

Rae reddened at the revelation. Chris knew Rae had been quite candid about her childhood in her first book, though she hadn’t shared about her father’s other family. Knowing Rowan had read her words must’ve made Rae feel vulnerable.

Kieran, missing the undercurrent, continued, “Gibbes can be tricky. He’s been giving Rowan a hard time about reopening the inn. I wouldn’t put it past him to try gaining information from you. Why would he give you a ride in the first place?”

“His wife suggested it,” Rae said. “Connor didn’t seem thrilled at first, but then he said he’d be happy to drive me. He looked at me funny, though.”

“Crap, he knows,” Rowan said, glancing at her brother. “Or at least he suspects it.”

“Knows what?” Rae asked.

“That you’re related to us somehow,” Kieran said.

“You three resemble each other, especially Rowan and Rae,” Alex chimed in, gesturing at the eyes.

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