Page 2 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Oh, sorry,” Harley said, stepping aside to bring Carly out of his shadow. “This is my sister, Carly Donovan.”
“Ethan.” Ethan stepped forward before Alex could shake Carly’s hand. His eyes narrowed, and his brow creased. “Have we met before?”
“If you’ve eaten at Cobble Point Restaurant, you’ve probably seen my sister there,” Harley replied. “Carly owns it.”
Oh, great, big brother.Carly sighed inwardly. She’d been avoiding having a meeting with Ethan about her restaurant being used as a possible location for a series of Cobble Cove Mysteries.
“You’re the elusive owner of that gorgeous restaurant on Lookout Point!” Ethan explained. “I’ve been trying to get hold of you for two weeks to discuss it being used as a possible location for Caroline’s series.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Carly’s discomfort was growing from the piercing blue scrutiny of Ethan Blackwell’s gaze. She offered a polite smile. “I’m sorry I have yet to get back to you, but it’s been hectic lately, being summer and peak season.”
“I understand,” Ethan told her. “But I need to sort out all the locations by the end of next week. Would it be possible to give me thirty minutes of your time tomorrow morning?” He raised his brows questioningly. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant, and I don’t mind if you have to carry on working while we talk.”
Carly glanced at her brother and Alex. They were staring at her expectantly. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming twenty-four-wheeler. Carly was trapped.
“Sure. I can meet you at ten thirty tomorrow morning at the restaurant.” Carly nodded and glanced at her wristwatch. “Oh. Is that the time?” She looked up at the three men. “Please excuse me, but I have to go.”
“Of course,” Ethan said, stepping aside.
Carly gave him and Alex, who was staring at her as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle, a tight smile before turning to her brother.
“Thank you for looking after Reef,” Carly told him. “I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”
Harley nodded, and Carly made her escape, heading for Caroline and Jennifer.
“Hi, Carly,” Caroline and Jennifer greeted her with warm smiles.
“Hi,” Carly replied. “Congratulations.” She hugged Caroline. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Caroline’s smile broadened. “I never thought I would have a big wedding if I got married a second time.”
“Well, it’s a great wedding,” Carly told her. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave.”
“Oh, no!” Caroline’s face fell. “Is everything okay?”
“I have a big catering order tomorrow, and I still have a few things to sort out,” Carly told her. It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“I understand,” Caroline said. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” Carly smiled and hugged her again. “I hope you and Brad have a wonderful honeymoon, and I know you’re going to have a happy life together.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” Caroline smiled.
Carly said her goodbyes and decided to find Reef to let him know she was going. Carly had already run into Ethan Blackwell, so not much else could go wrong. As she pushed her way onto the dance floor, she bumped into a tall woman who was about to storm off the dance floor with her phone plastered to her ear.
“Sorry…” Carly’s voice faded as she came face-to-face with none other than Daphne Rose.
“No, it was my fault,” Daphne acknowledged without a flicker of recognition for Carly in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” With that, she turned and stalked away.
Carly stood staring after the woman, amazed that Daphne hadn’t recognized her.
“Mom!” Reef’s voice made her look away from the disappearing Daphne Rose. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” Carly assured him as she turned toward him. “I came to find you to let you know I’m going home.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Reef asked without hesitation.
“No, sweetheart, you stay and have fun. Harley said he’d give you a ride home,” Carly told him.
