Page 35 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“And the mini tiger?” Brad’s eyes watched her every movement, making her feel self-conscious.
“Jules rescued Melton from the pound,” Caroline answered. “He was a ball of ginger and white stripes. Jules thinks he’s a cross between a Persian and Garfield.”
“He looks like a long-haired Garfield,” Brad agreed. “I know he has a bad attitude. Does he eat pizza and lord all over the place?”
“That’s Melton.” Caroline laughed as she finished patching Brad up. “There, all done.”
“Thank you,” Brad said.
As Caroline leaned toward the table to grab the first aid kit, Brad stood, and they collided, sending Caroline flying backward. Brad’s hand shot out and caught her, pulling her toward him, and she landed against his solid chest. Caroline heard him suck in a breath. As she stepped back, she noticed tears in his shirt with blood spots on it.
“On, no, your chest!” Without thinking, Caroline reached out and touched his chest.
Heat shot through her arm and pierced her heart. She snatched her hand away as if Brad had burned her.
“That must be where Melton sprung onto my chest.” Brad cautiously touched his shirt.
Caroline bit her tongue, stopping herself from offering to pay for the shirt. She didn’t have to be a fashion expert to know it came with a huge price tag, and besides,Bradwas in her house, uninvited!
“This is why you don’t wander around people’s houses without them there!” Caroline said before she could stop herself. She skirted around him and picked up the first aid kit.
“Again,” Brad’s eyes shone with regret, “I’m sorry we intruded like this.”
“It’s fine.” Caroline held up a hand, her eyes catching the time on the clock perched on the mantel. “Shoot, is that the time?”
Brad glanced at his wristwatch and was amazed to see it was after lunchtime.
“I have to get back to the library.” Caroline looked at Brad. “Please, continue your tour of the lighthouse.” She pointed toward the front door. “Liam knows this place as well as we do. He knows more about its history than I do, so he’s the best person to show you around.”
“You’re not going to join us?” Brad’s eyes flashed with disappointment, making Caroline’s heart bounce. She ignored the fluttering starting in her stomach.
“Sorry, I brought Jules back because she’s forgotten her outfit for her cousin’s party,” Caroline explained, and a thought hit her. “Connor should join her and Liam’s daughter. They are best friends and are going to the party together.”
“Actually, Liam already invited Connor and suggested the same thing,” Brad informed her.
“Great!” Caroline nodded. “Connor seems like a polite young man.” Brad nodded. “He looks a lot like you.”
“Don’t tell him that.” Brad gave a soft laugh. “He hates being compared to me.”
“I think all teens are like that.” Caroline gave him a tight smile, torn between wanting to turn and flee his company and staying where she was.
Luckily, her phone rang, making the decision for her. She pulled it out of her pocket and saw it was her brother.
“Excuse me, I have to take this.” Caroline pointed at her phone, answering. “Hi, can you give me a minute?”
“Sure,” her brother said from the other side of the line.
“I’ll go find Harriet and Liam.” Brad pointed toward the door.
They gave each other a nod before Brad turned and walked out the front door.
“Ah, is our company still there?” Finn asked.
“You could’ve called and given me a heads-up!” Caroline hissed. “I came home to chaos.”
“Chaos?” Finn’s voice filled with worry. “What happened?” There was a pause. “They didn’t try to walk over the old boardwalk, did they?”
“No.” Caroline’s eyes widened, and concern filled her. She glanced out the living room window. “They’re with Liam, so he won’t take them to the boardwalk.”
