Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,9

a click and set the kettle on top.

“That is not a cogent argument,” Josh said.

“Do you want tea?” Madeline asked him in an overly sweet voice.

Instead of answering, Josh turned back to me. His gaze sent a wave of . . . something rushing from my toes to my ears, and I felt my ears go hot in reaction. I hated that I might be blushing.

“Do you want to buy a vintage Dodge Challenger with a 392 hemi engine, halogen headlights, and a Hurst shifter?” he asked. “We’d give you a really good price.”

“Stop,” Madeline said to him. “You are incorrigible.”

“If by incorrigible, you mean prudent and rational, then yes, I am.”

“He’s such a worrywart,” Madeline said to me as she placed three floral teacups and saucers on the kitchen island. “I’ve been driving since before he was born.”

“My point exactly,” Josh said.

“Laila is not in the market for a car,” she told him tartly. “She has one already. Engine trouble on the highway is why I brought her home in the first place.”

“Well, that’s disappointing,” Josh said.

“You don’t get to run my life,” Madeline said.

“Clearly.”

I didn’t know what to say. Although their argument seemed quite lighthearted, I still felt uncomfortable being here for it. I focused on my phone. “I’m . . . uh . . . trying to find someone to take a look at my car.”

“Where did you break down?” Josh asked.

I had no idea how to describe it. My car was on the shoulder, somewhere between a cliff and the ocean drop-off, but that pretty much described the entire road outside town.

“A few miles back,” I said.

“Partway to the point,” Madeline said. “Overlooking Rundle Island.”

“Did you call Gerry?” Josh asked me.

“How would she know to call Gerry?” Madeline asked him back.

“Should I call Gerry?” I was happy to take a recommendation.

Josh produced his own phone. “I’ll call him.”

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble.” I felt guilty having him step in for me.

“It’s no trouble.” Josh’s expression was cheerful as he dialed.

Madeline set out three cups and saucers. “Cream and sugar?” she asked me. “Or lemon and honey?”

“That’s very nice of you,” I said to Josh.

He smiled and waved my thanks away as he listened to his phone.

“Honey and lemon, please,” I said to Madeline. “If that’s easy. Otherwise, I like it any way at all.”

“No trouble,” Madeline said. She turned to the fridge.

“Gerry?” Josh said. Then he paused. “Terrific. You?”

Madeline set a lemon on a small wooden cutting board.

“Can I help?” I asked, moving her way.

“We’ve got a car stranded out on the Bay Road,” Josh said.

“It’ll only take me a second,” Madeline said, producing a sharp knife.

“No,” Josh said, his tone deflating. “Unfortunately, not that one.”

I caught his glance on Madeline, and I assumed he must be referring to her Dodge Challenger. I couldn’t help but smile at his disappointment.

He gave me a mock glare, clearly making a joke.

I returned a little shrug and stifled a smile.

“She’s partway to the point,” he said into the phone. “Across from Rundle Island.”

I mouthed thank you to Josh, feeling guilty for my amusement over Madeline’s car. He seemed like a caring nephew. From what I’d seen, he was right to want her off the road. And I shouldn’t laugh at his frustration, even if it did look cute on him.

“You can?” he asked. “I’d really appreciate that.” He paused again. “I understand. Thanks. Bye, Gerry.”

“That sounded promising,” I said while Madeline poured the tea.

Josh pocketed his phone. “He’s sending his wrecker out now.”

I was impressed and relieved. “That was quick.”

Madeline handed Josh a cup of tea with a saucer. The china looked ridiculously delicate in his square hands.

“Go ahead and hop up,” she said to me, pointing to one of the padded floral chairs at the island and sliding my tea in that direction.

“Thanks.” I hung my bag from the chair and stepped up, pulling the cup of tea toward me, cornerwise across the island. “Will Gerry pick up my keys?” I asked Josh as Madeline took the chair at the opposite end.

Josh looked puzzled as he swung the middle chair behind me and around the corner of the island to take his own seat. “You said the car was broken down.”

“It is. But it’s in park with the brake set.”

“Gerry knows to check. He’s a qualified technician.”

I hadn’t meant to disparage Gerry. “I only meant he’ll need to unlock the door.”

“You locked the door?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you lock the door?”

“So no one will steal my