Driftwood Bay (Hope Harbor #5) - Irene Hannon Page 0,72
the box of formula for Button.
She’d just have to rebury them.
Except there was one little problem with that plan.
She gripped the counter and admitted the truth.
The kinds of feelings Logan was rekindling were about as easy to contain as Toby’s bark—and just as disruptive.
Unfortunately, while Thomma’s magic touch was taming the unruly beagle, as far as she knew, there were no romance-whisperers.
Meaning she was on her own to come up with a plan to deal with her sudden amorous leanings—and the loneliness they were leaving in their wake.
20
“Well, if it isn’t our newest doctor and the latest artist in my gallery.” Charley swept a hand over the back wall of the stand, where Molly’s drawing was front and center. “You must be in the mood for tacos on this fine Tuesday evening.”
Logan returned Charley’s grin as they approached. “We’re always in the mood for your tacos—as is everyone else in this town, from what I can gather. I’m surprised we didn’t have to wait in line.”
“Your timing was perfect. I just opened. Two orders or three?”
“Two. Why would I want three?”
“I thought you might have another beach picnic in mind.”
“Not tonight.” Geez. The man had a memory like an elephant. He should never have mentioned his thank-you plans for Jeannette the day of Mariam’s accident, when he’d picked up tacos for their impromptu picnic.
“How are you doing, Molly?” Charley pulled an avocado from the cooler and began slicing it.
“Fine.”
“How goes the search for a friend?”
“I finded one. Her name’s Elisa, and her mommy and grandpa and brother and uncle all went to heaven in a war.”
“That’s very sad.” Charley paused and shook his head. “I’m glad she has you for a friend.”
“Me too.”
“Speaking of friends . . .” He set some fish fillets on the grill. “Here come two of mine.” He waved a hand toward a pair of seagulls that swooped in and landed several yards away.
“Is that Floyd and Gladys?” Molly studied them.
“None other. You want to go say hello?”
“Will they fly away?”
“Not if you take it slow and easy so they don’t get scared. You may have to practice a little, but if you stick with it, they’ll let you get close. That okay with you, Logan? You can keep an eye on her while I finish up your order.”
“Sure. Have at it, Molly.”
Despite Charley’s assurance that the birds would stay put, the interlude wasn’t likely to last long if Molly invaded their comfort zone. But she’d get a kick out of trying to get up close and personal with them until they flew off.
“On the subject of friends, how goes it with Jeannette?” Charley began dicing some peppers.
Better set the record straight on that, in case the taco-making artist had any ideas about future beach picnics.
“To be honest, I don’t know that I’d call us friends.”
“No? How come?”
Not for lack of trying—but he left that unsaid.
“She’s very protective of her privacy and her space.”
“That’s a fact.” Charley tossed the peppers on the griddle. “I expect there’s a reason for that.”
“I do too—but she’s not talking . . . to me anyway. Do you know why she’s such a loner?” A long shot—but worth a try.
“She’s never told me her story.”
So much for his last potential source. If Charley and Marci didn’t know any of the details of Jeannette’s background, there wasn’t much chance anyone in town did.
It was a shame she kept to herself, though. He could use her advice with Molly again, since last Sunday’s walk on the beach hadn’t led to the kind of heart-to-heart talk he’d hoped it would. His niece had sidestepped all of his attempts to reintroduce the subject of loss and feelings.
“However . . .” Charley flipped the fish, continuing as if there’d been no gap in the conversation. “I expect it’s a very sad story. No one cuts off other people unless they’ve been badly hurt. Trouble is, those kinds of people are the ones who most need friends.”
“It’s hard to get close to someone who isn’t receptive.”
“That’s true.” He pulled out some corn tortillas. “But sometimes it’s a matter of persistence. Just hanging around or showing up can make a difference. You have the perfect excuse with Button.”
Logan blinked. “How did you know about him?”
“Your neighbor happens to be one of my regular customers.”
“Jeannette told you about the cat?” Strange she’d bring that up, since she’d taken it in under duress and intended to get rid of it as soon as possible.