Page 10 of Harmony Island Gazette
I glanced up to see Asher studying me. I frowned. “What?”
“I don’t like that look on your face.”
I reached up and squished my cheeks. “What look?”
He sighed as he sat back in his chair. “Your reporter look.” He raised his eyebrows. “It’s the look you get when you’re collecting information.”
“Collecting information? Why would I be collecting information?” I lied.
He studied me. “Sometimes there’s no story, El. Sometimes, what you seeiswhat you get.”
While I knew that was true, it was also false. There was always a story behind everything. Whether it was newspaper worthy or not, there was always a story behind everything a person did.
“I’m just curious,” I said as I shrugged my shoulders and pushed around my computer mouse to wake up my monitor. “Can’t I be curious?”
“You can be curious,” Asher said.
“Good.” Even though he’d agreed with me, I knew there was more he wanted to say. So, I paused to see if he was going to continue.
“It’s just that this is a good thing for me. Having a relationship with the Proctors will really help take my business to the next level.” He scrubbed his face. “I need this.”
I gave him a soft smile. “I’m happy for you, Asher. I’m not trying to rain on your parade.” That was true. I wanted only good things for my friend.
He studied me before he nodded. “I know. Thanks.”
Silence fell between us, so I turned my attention to my monitor. “I have about five minutes until I’m done, and then we can head out. Does that work?” I asked, all the while not taking my eyes off the screen.
“That works,” Asher said.
I forced my mind to focus on the words in front of me even though all it wanted to do was mull over my conversation with Asher. I was beginning to realize that if I acted on the suspicion that was growing in my gut, I was going to have to do it alone. My boss and my friend didn’t seem interested in pulling on any thread that might unravel the Proctor family’s secrets.
Sure, it might behoove me to forget what that man said to me this morning. The easy thing was to walk away and pretend it was just a figment of my imagination. Problem was, I wasn’t the kind of girl who took the easy way out.
And I doubted that was going to change anytime soon.
4
JUNIPER
Monday morning, I was startled awake by the screeching sound of the alarm on my phone. I groaned and flipped to my side as I reached out to stop the obnoxious noise. Once silence surrounded me, I let out my breath and stared up at the dark ceiling.
Mom and Dad were leaving today to go help Aunt Christi, and I wanted to see them off.
I pulled off the covers and slipped my feet onto the floor. After grabbing my robe and opening my door, I padded down the hallway into the kitchen, where the light was on, causing me to squint as my eyes adjusted.
I yawned as I shuffled into the room and pulled out a chair that was tucked under the kitchen table. I pulled my robe tighter around my chest before reaching up to run my fingers through my tousled hair. Mom and Dad’s larger luggage was sitting near the front door, but they were nowhere to be seen.
I glanced toward the living room, where I knew Boone had crashed the night before. After our family meeting at the store, Dad invited him over for dinner and then let him crash on the couch.
It was strange how, just a day ago, it had bothered me so much that he was staying with us, but now, it was nice. I liked that my parents trusted him. I was certain that if it had just been me suggesting they go spend some time in California, Dad would have never gone. I knew my father trusted me, but he worried too much about me and the store.
With Boone here, that worry seemed to have lessened.
I was grateful that they were leaving for an extended period of time. Kevin being in town and my pregnancy meant I was ready for some me time so I could process everything. And call me crazy, but I suspected Boone would be less nosy than my parents.
“Oh, good. You’re up,” Mom said as she hurried into the kitchen. She set her purse and larger carry-on down onto the table. Then she made her way over to the coffee machine and turned it on. “Think you can handle things here while we are gone?” she asked as she opened the cupboard and grabbed a mug.
“I think so,” I said as I reached up and began massaging my temples. I loved my mom, and I knew she meant well, but I couldn’t help but feel like her questions were steeped in disappointment.
