But, really, how bizarre could a situation be? She was a wanted kidnapper hiding in a slutty mermaid costume while meeting the family of the police chief she was shacking up with, in the hopes that they would babysit for the kidnapping victim so she and the cop could express themselves for a few hours back at his place.
The ice cubes rattled in her glass.
That’s when Clancy joined her on the divan, sitting right up against her spandex-covered thigh. He reached for her free hand and held it tight.
Of course, not a soul in the room missed his gesture, except for Chrissy, who was fixated on Rowan and intrigued by Mona. Evelyn took a sip of iced tea to wash down her nervousness.
The little party moved along smoothly. Christina hopped around the parlor and did her pirate dance while Evelyn carried on several conversations.
“Would you like a tour of the house, Evie?”
She felt Clancy’s body stiffen next to her, and she caught his eye. He didn’t seem thrilled with Evelyn having alone time with his mother.
“Thank you, Mona, but I’m sure you have things to do to get ready for the clambake tonight.”
“Don’t be silly.” Mona removed the iced-tea glass from Evie’s hand. “The place really does have a fascinating history and is quite lovely.”
Evelyn was up on her feet and being ushered out into the foyer before she could protest. She looked back at Clancy and shrugged.
Mona had been right. The house was beautiful and had an interesting story behind it. It had been built in 1885 by Rutherford Flynn, Clancy’s great-great-grandfather, after his fishery became prosperous.
“Did you know that during the first part of the twentieth century, nearly fifteen percent of all the seafood served in the finest East Coast restaurants originated on a Flynn Fisheries boat?”
“Uh, no. But wow.”
“This house has been in our family for all that time— Well, of course, I married into the Flynns. I met Clancy’s father as a tourist here one summer. Fancy that, eh?”
Evelyn felt her mouth go dry. “So is this the same Rutherford Flynn who built the mermaid fountain for his wife?”
They had just entered the kitchen when Evelyn asked this. Mona stopped, grabbed her arm, and gasped. “Yes! Yes, it is! You know the legend, then?”
Evie was a bit surprised by the woman’s enthusiasm. “Just some of it.”
For the next half hour, Evelyn was brought up to speed, not only about the Flynns, the Safe Haven, the Mermaid Society, and the history of Bayberry Island itself, but about the mermaid legend as well. It almost seemed like Mona was selling Evelyn on one, or every one, of the topics.
Eventually, they finished the tour of all rooms not occupied by guests. As they descended the grand staircase in their tight mermaid skirts, Mona asked, “Have you ever sought her guidance in matters of love?”
“Whose guidance?”
“The mermaid’s, my dear.”
Based on the seriousness of her tone, Evelyn couldn’t help but think the whole sightseeing trip had been a set- up for that single question.
“Uh . . .” Yes, she’d talked to the mermaid that summer long ago, but she couldn’t remember the conversation. She might have asked for a favor, but not guidance. “Not really, no.”
Mona’s expression was intense, and her eyes searched Evelyn’s face. Clearly, this point was important to her. “Well, let me ask you this: do you believe in true love?”