been looking for a Gibson L-7. Mine disappeared during a Christmas party last year. It’s been hard to find a replacement that’s in decent shape and doesn’t require a bank loan. One of my coworkers put me onto Van. Hopefully, he’ll turn out to be nicer than he sounded on the phone.”
Reece laughed. “Don’t count on it. I’ve known Van for twenty years. I’ve only seen him smile twice. In spite of his cantankerous nature, I’ve always found him willing to negotiate.
“Good to know.” Miles looked at his watch. “I better get going. The shop closes at six.”
Owen spoke up. “You’ll be back in time for bowling, won’t you, Miles?”
“Of course, buddy. I can’t let your Aunt Robin be the champ three weeks in a row.”
Once Miles was gone, Reece looked at Robin. “What’s this about you being a champ?”
“Every Friday night Beach Bowl has red-pin bowling. For the last two weeks, I’ve been high scorer.”
“You have hidden talents.”
Robin shrugged. “Some teenage girls spend all their time at the mall. I spent mine at the bowling alley.”
“Do you like to bowl, Reece?” Owen asked.
“I haven’t bowled since I was in high school, and I wasn’t very good at it then.”
“Aunt Robin is teaching me. I don’t go in the gutter as much anymore. You should come with us. She could show you how to bowl, too.”
Robin’s lips twitched. “I’m sure Reece has more exciting plans for his Friday evening.”
“I wouldn’t call my plans exciting. The GRIT channel is running a Clint Eastwood marathon.”
“You’re an Eastwood fan, huh? Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“I have a few ideas.”
Still looking amused, she returned the package of wipes to the shelf. “You can tell me about them tonight. If you’re interested in joining us, that is.”
Reece was at a loss. Why would she invite him on what was essentially a date with another guy? “Won’t Miles mind? I wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened at the fundraiser.”
“The fundraiser? Oh! I see! You think Miles and I…” She convulsed with laughter. “Miles is Kait’s boyfriend.”
Reece was too relieved by the news to be embarrassed by his mistake or mind that Robin found it so funny. “It was a natural assumption.”
That set her off again.
“Am I missing something?” he asked, smiling a little.
“I’m sorry,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “I’m not laughing at you.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Really, I’m not. It’s the idea of Miles being interested in anyone but Kait. You only have to see him when she’s around to know what I’m talking about.”
Owen giggled. “Baxter and I saw them kissing last night on the driveway.”
Robin’s attempt to look severe failed. “You and Baxter were supposed to be sleeping.”
“Miles’s car is loud,” Owen pointed out with simple logic. “It woke me up.”
“It’s that darn hole in his muffler. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to get it fixed, either.” She glanced back at Reece. “Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion, do you feel it would be safe to come with us?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“Good. We’ll leave as soon as Kait and Miles get back. We usually eat at the pizza place across the street and then head over to Beach Bowl. I can’t promise it’ll be as enjoyable as an evening spent watching Clint Eastwood.”
“Now you’re the one being modest.”
There was the merest quiver to her lips. He knew because he was staring at them. Only one thing would help him break such a regrettable habit, and it might never happen.
“I’ve got cookies to finish decorating. You can hang out with Owen in the office until it’s time to go.”
Owen jumped up and down. “Yes, Reece! Let’s do that. We can play Twenty Questions.”
Reece laughed. “That’s another game I haven’t played in years.”
Robin looked over her shoulder, a challenging gleam in her sable-tinted eyes. “I realize these activities are tame for a man about town such as yourself. Try not to be too bored.”
She gave as good as she got. He liked that. “Boredom is a sign of a weak mind. My ego won’t allow me to admit to such a thing.”
“I wonder what else your ego won’t allow you to admit.”
He smiled. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Robin watched Reece miss converting an easy two-pin spare by at least five boards. Not even the favorable oil pattern used by Beach Bowl was enough to save him. He did have one thing going for him. Kait had pointed it out earlier. He was one of the few people who could