The Sweetest Summer(78)

            Clancy stretched out his hand to hers. He didn’t know what the gesture meant or even why he did it, but it seemed she needed to be reassured. Softly, he stroked her fingers with his, and he was astonished when she unfolded her palm to his touch. If there was a word big enough for what this woman did to him, he’d never heard it. There was a power circling him whenever she was near. Her presence somehow made everything sharper and sweeter. Clancy felt as if he knew her—and not just as the fuzzy memory of a long-ago summer fling. He understood her. She was familiar to him. It almost felt as if she were supposed to be here, in his house and in his life. But there was just one little problem . . .

            “I’m going to need to know everything, Evie. You can’t hold anything back if I’m going to help you.”

            She pulled her hand away.

            “I can’t force you to stay, but if you do, you must tell me exactly what’s going on. No more secrets. There’s too much at stake here.”

            Her eyes darted quickly toward Christina. “I . . . right. I understand.”

            “If you’re gone when I get back, I will keep you in my thoughts, always. I hope everything works out for the best for you.”

            She nodded but said nothing.

            Clancy headed to the front door, patting Christina on the head. “See ya later, alligator.”

            “Bye!”

            The rain had stopped and the sun was making its debut, which was excellent news for Island Day. Clancy tried to focus on that. He had a job to do today. He had a responsibility to this island.

            He was harboring a fugitive.

            “Jesus, what am I doing?”

            As Clancy headed for the Jeep he heard crunching gravel on the drive behind him. He spun around.

            Evie rushed forward. She kissed him. Hard. She popped up on her toes and cradled his head in her hands and just laid one on him. Then she hugged his body so tight his spine cracked. Then she stepped back. It ended just as abruptly as it began.

            Clancy felt dizzy. And deliriously happy. He found himself laughing. “Now that was a wicked sick kiss.”

            “Glad you liked it.” When Evie made eye contact with him, Clancy could see how torn and sad she was. “I need to go back inside with Chris.”

            “Wait.” He touched her upper arm. “Is that your usual ‘have-a-good-day-at-work’ kind of kiss? Because if it is, I can pretend I forgot something, go back in the house, and come out again.”

            She did manage a smile, but it didn’t spread to her eyes. It was a start, though. And he’d take it.

            “I think that kiss was a first. I just wanted you to know . . .” Evie didn’t finish her thought, but she didn’t have to.

            “I feel the same.” He brushed the back of his hand down her cheek. “Despite everything and no matter what happens, I am grateful we got to see each other again.”





Chapter Eleven


            “Gather ’round, ye ’maids.” Mona gestured for everyone to sit. “As we know, the Island Day opening has been delayed two hours. This has thrown us off schedule.” She inclined her head toward Darinda Darswell. “Thankfully, Darinda has reworked our assignment flowchart. Darinda?”

            Mona knew she was being sly. Every member present would notice that seemingly innocent statement and it would be fun to watch their reactions. Slowly, it began to dawn on them. Some women dropped their jaws. Some scrunched their faces in confusion. Some looked as if their eyeballs would spring from their sockets.

            By turning over festival-week scheduling to Darinda, Mona had made the first, blatant indication that she was ready to step down. After thirty-six years, she had decided this tourist season would be her last as the president of the Bayberry Island Mermaid Society. In Darinda, she had finally found a natural leader who both understood the sacred nature of the job and possessed the skills to pull it off.