Page 23 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
Brad glanced at his wristwatch. “I’d better get home and talk to Connor before he sees this.”
“Too late!” Harriet told him. “Who do you think told your father?”
Brad’s body went slack as he looked at the ceiling in exasperation. “Good grief.”
“I’ve already spoken to Connor,” Harriet informed Brad. “I told him it was publicity because Dawn’s working on the Cobble Cove Mysteries project.”
“Thank you.” Brad breathed a sigh of relief. “What would I do without you?”
“End up in a big mess,” Harriet grinned smugly. “Now go home so I can finish reading.”
“That’s why we all love you so much, Harry,” Brad teased, standing and turning to leave. “You don’t mince your words. When you want someone to leave, you kick them out.”
“Don’t call me Harry,” Harriet threw a cushion at him before standing and following him to the front door. “I don’t kick everyone out.” She grinned. “Just you and the Blackwells because you guys don’t always take a hint.”
“Noted.” Brad opened the front door and stepped outside. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“Someone has to look out for you.” Harriet took the cushion he’d caught from him.
“Goodnight,Harry,” Brad teased and stepped out of the way before she could hit him with the cushion.
“Try to stay out of trouble from here to your house,” Harriet told him. “I really want to finish the book I’m reading.”
Brad saluted her and climbed into the car. As they pulled off, he took out his phone to see there were still no messages from Caroline. He couldn’t believe how much he’d wanted to find a message from or missed a call from her.
I hope everything’s okay.
He stared at the screen, hesitating to send the message, then deleted it and pocketed his phone before giving in to temptation. Brad laughed at himself, taking in the city’s lights on the way to his house. He was acting like a high school boy with a crush and promised himself he’d try Caroline again in the morning just to find out if everything was okay.
CHAPTER 7
Caroline tried to clear her mind as she got ready for work, but it wouldn’t switch off images of her last night in New York. It had been almost six weeks, but that night still tormented her. Caroline couldn’t believe she’d let herself get caught up in a fairytale whirlwind romance with a mysterious, handsome, wealthy man. She snorted.
I should write a tragic romance novel about my love life next.Caroline sighed as she looked at her image in the bathroom mirror.
She still couldn’t get used to her chic hairstyle as she ran a brush through it before pulling it into a loose bun, not bothering to stop a few rebellious strands from falling loose. Caroline put some mascara on her lashes and a pearl pink gloss on her lips before rushing out of her room.
“Honey, are you ready?” Caroline called to her daughter as she checked her purse to make sure she had her phone and wallet.
‘“Yes!” Jules grumbled, shuffling down the stairs from her new loft bedroom, yawning. “I’m going to Uncle Finn after my shift at the restaurant.” She stretched. “It’s Tucker’s birthday party.”
“Oh no, I forgot about Tucker’s birthday present.” Caroline slapped her forehead as she remembered she’d left her nephew’s gift at the library. “It’s at the library.”
“Can you bring it to me before the party?” Jules asked. “Like at the restaurant?”
“Don’t worry.” Caroline pulled a face. “I won’t make you seem uncool by showing up at the party and asking for you.”
“Please don’t ever sayuncoolagain.“ Jules held up her hand, looking horrified. “There are just some words that aren’t parenty.”
“Sorry!” Caroline jiggled her head. Her eyes caught the time. “Shoot. We have to go.”
They rushed out the door and nearly ran over a woman about to knock on it.
“Oh, geez!” Jules skidded to a halt. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” The woman smiled.
Caroline’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the woman who looked familiar to her.
