Page 39 of Saltwater Promises
Chapter 17
“Keep your head down!” Margie whispered.
Claire bit her lip, trying not to laugh. “I think he saw us.”
“No, I don’t think so.” Margie knelt lower. “I can’t believe that he’s here with a woman. And he didn’t tell me!”
Claire stifled a laugh. Did Margie really think that Mike would tell her that he was seeing someone?
“Hello, Margie,” said a voice from above.
Margie winced, straightening from her bent stance. “Oh Mike! Fancy seeing you here.”
“Yeah, funny, isn’t it?” He crossed his arms. “Almost like you followed me here.”
“No!” she said. “I swear I didn’t! I wanted to show Claire the hotel. You know, Steve’s hotel?”
Arms still crossed, he said, “I don’t remember you talking about that.”
“Then you weren’t listening! Steve is planning to sell.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And you’re looking to buy?”
Margie was silenced by this.
“No,” Claire cut in. “But I am.”
“Oh.” He uncrossed his arms.
Claire continued. “We really weren’t following you, Mike. We were going to see the hotel, and Margie wanted to show me some of her favorite spots on Orcas Island. We honestly just stopped by at the winery so I could have a look. I swear we didn’t know you were here.”
“I see.” Mike nodded. “Well, enjoy your day, ladies.”
“Wait a minute!” Margie said, taking a step forward. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?”
“No.” He turned to leave.
Now Claire couldn’t help but laugh as Margie followed after Mike. In her bright yellow rain jacket, she reminded Claire of a baby duck following its mother.
Mike turned around and glared at her. “What are you doing?”
Margie ignored him, calling out “Hello there!” as she waved to the woman.
She waved back. “Hi!”
Well, this was happening.
Claire followed, and Mike begrudgingly introduced them to Lynn, his “friend from before.”
Claire thought that was odd wording, but she certainly wasn’t going to question it and neither was Margie.
“Are you new to the island?” asked Margie.
Lynn shook her head. “Not really. I’m just visiting for the weekend. I’m part of a show at the gallery. I’m a painter.”
“Isn’t that exciting! Maybe we can stop by?”
“That’s unnecessary,” said Mike.
