She shook her head. “Not really. Besides, Ethan and the others really creep me out. Drake was different, though. I wish I knew what happened to him.”
“Did you ask Ethan?” I said.
She made a face. “Yeah but he didn’t say much. Personally, I think he went back home to Australia. He talked about his family a lot and how he missed them.”
My eyebrows shot up. “He was Australian?”
She nodded and got this dreamy look on her face. “Yeah, he had this neat accent. Man, I miss that guy.”
Duncan cleared his throat. “So you know where Ethan lives?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe we should call the sheriff and tell him we think Ethan’s responsible for those murders?” said Nathan.
Susan’s jaw dropped. “You seriously think that Ethan is responsible?”
“We don’t know for sure,” I said.
Nathan scowled. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s responsible for something.”
Embarrassed, I looked away. I’d let Ethan into my bedroom and allowed him to do those things to me. What was even worse was that I’d enjoyed it, and wasn’t even certain that I had regrets.
Was he a murderer?
I didn’t want to believe it.
“Here comes mom,” said Nathan, standing up. He waved and she walked over.
“So, what did the eye doctor say?” I asked. She was still wearing her sunglasses.
She shrugged. “He prescribed some eye drops for me. He thinks it might be an eye infection, but doesn’t know for sure. If the drops don’t work then I’m supposed to come back in five days for more tests.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to wear your sunglasses to work on Monday.”
She smiled. “Now that would be awkward, wouldn’t it? So,” she looked around. “Have you seen Caleb, yet?”
I shook my head. “No. Did you call him?”
“I did, but he never answers during the day. He says it’s because he’s so busy. I just hope it’s not something else.”
“Like what? Another woman?” I asked.
She smiled, sheepishly. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Are you talking about Sheriff Caleb?” asked Susan.
“Yeah,” I said.
“He’s definitely not married,” she said. “He has a daughter who just graduated, Celeste. His wife died a few years ago.”
“That’s what he told me, too,” said mom.
“So what’s the sheriff’s daughter like?” I asked.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you! The redhead we saw on our first day in town… the cute one? That’s Celeste.”
“The hot one?” asked Nathan.
“Yes, Nathan. ‘The hot one’,” she said with a smile.
Nathan turned to Susan. “No offense, Susan. You’re really hot, too.”
Susan’s cheeks turned bright red again.
“Hey, here comes my dad,” said Duncan, waving his hand.
Sonny walked over with a plate of food and sat down next to mom. He smiled. “Hi, I’m Duncan’s dad… you must be Nikki and Nathan’s mom? I’m Sonny and I’m going to apologize right now for making a pig out of myself.”
Mom laughed. “I’m Anne. That’s quite all right. I’m used to it, Nathan eats round the clock.”
“I have to be back at the marina in fifteen minutes so I have to eat fast.”
I watched as my mom and Sonny began talking about some yacht he was currently fixing.
“How fascinating,” she said. “I’ve always wanted a ride on a beautiful yacht.”
He smiled. “Come on by the marina sometime and I’ll take you out on a couple. I own a fifty-foot carver myself, and haven’t had a chance to take it out much this summer. You’d give me a reason to start the engine.
My mom’s face lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”
“I’d better get back,” he said, standing up. “It was nice meeting you, Anne. Susan, I’ll see you at the diner again, I’m sure.”
“See you, Mr. Hamilton,” answered Susan.
“I probably won’t be home until late,” said Duncan.
Sonny’s eyes narrowed. “That’s right. Call me if you need me.”
When Sonny left, mom smiled. “Your dad seems very nice, Duncan.”
“Thanks.”
She looked at me. “And cute, too.”
I laughed. He was pretty hot for an older guy.
Nathan stood up. “Anybody interested in going on some rides? Susan?”
“Sure,” she answered.
“Duncan, how about some rides?” I asked.
He nodded. “Let’s go.”
“I’m going to be taking off,” said mom. “Caleb’s supposed to be stopping over after work. I don’t see him patrolling around here anyway.”