The Sweetest Summer(144)

            He was still chuckling as he walked toward the front door, when something caught his eye. On an antique hall table was a brochure. For an instant, the words didn’t register. But. Wait. Of all the places . . . it was a brochure for the Bayberry Island Mermaid Festival. What the hell?

            Bayberry Island?

            Since Richard didn’t believe in coincidence, the truth was pretty obvious: Evelyn and Christina had to be on Bayberry Island, and that thoroughly unpleasant police chief knew it. Was he protecting Evelyn McGuinness? Suddenly, the police chief’s personal dislike for Richard made perfect sense, and he knew if they found that cop, they would find Evelyn and Christina.

            Richard collected himself, trying to subdue the big smile on his face. Things were looking up. Maybe he was right back on track to have everything just the way he wanted it—his career and his child.

            Richard cleared his throat when he returned to the front porch. “Charlie, as much as I’ve enjoyed our chat and your bathroom artwork, I need to get going.”

            The old guy narrowed his eyes at him. “So, you’ll let me know?”

            “Absolutely.” Not. “Thanks for the beer.”

            “How soon can you call off the search?”

            “We’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll be in touch.”

            * * *

            “I’m Mermaid Jellybean!”

            Yes, she certainly was. With Mona’s help, Christina had been transformed into a beautiful junior sea goddess. Her hair was long and luxuriously blond, her tail was loose-fitting silvery blue that gave her legs lots of room to move. It was paired with a matching top, modest in its coverage and decorated with tiny shells and faux coconut fringe. Christina twirled in front of the mirror, until her eyes caught Evie’s in the reflection.

            “You are so pretty, too.”

            “Thank you, honey.” She added the borrowed earrings and evaluated the total effect.

            “You are prettier than anyone ever was pretty in the whole world of prettiness!”

            “Wow. That’s pretty darn pretty.”

            “It is.”

            There was a gentle knock on the door. Evie couldn’t help but feel bad for Clancy—he was knocking on the door of his own bedroom. The man had been kicked out so that the girls could use it as a Mermaid Ball dressing room.

            “Come on in.”

            Clancy opened the door and stopped in his tracks. He had obviously come to give her news because he held his cell phone in his hand, but he wasn’t saying anything.

            She wasn’t either. All she could do was gawk. This was the first time she had ever seen Clancy in anything but beach attire or a police uniform. And—whoa—the man cleaned up well.

            He wore a white linen suit with a soft blue open collar shirt and a pair of newer Docksiders. He was clean-shaven, and the light fabric accentuated his tanned skin and dark eyes. Evie knew she had to have a goofy love-struck expression on her face, but she couldn’t stop staring.

            Clancy stared, too. He let his gaze travel up and down her body and let out a whistle. “Holy moly.” Then he made sure to comment on Christina, who was already posed for his admiration. “And look at you! I’m sorry, but have we met?” He bent at the waist. “What is your name, gorgeous mermaid?”

            She giggled. “I love you, silly Sir Clancy.” She ran up and hugged his knees tightly. Evie and Clancy caught each other’s eyes, surprised. Then they both broke out in a smile.