His father raised an eyebrow. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you liked her.”
Jo bustled back from the kitchen with two bags of food and hoisted them onto the counter.
“We’re just friends.” Sailor ran a hand through his hair. “But she’s been meeting guys on a dating app, and I don’t trust them.”
“Is that so?” Adrian sipped his drink. “I’ll be sure to look out for her.”
Jo chimed in. “But Todd seems nice enough, doesn’t he? Candy says he’s always courteous, tips well, and has a good sense of humor.”
“Todd might be okay,” Sailor admitted with some reluctance. “Maileah’s smart, but I don’t want guys to take advantage of her.”
Jo stuffed napkins into the bags. “What makes you think she can’t take care of herself?”
“Sounds like you’re being awfully protective,” Adrian added.
“She’s plenty capable. But friends look out for friends.” Sailor shrugged again, trying to appear nonchalant.
“And you’re sure that’s all it is?” Adrian asked.
Looking interested, Jo raised her brow.
Sailor groaned. He didn’t need that kind of gossip getting out on the island—it was far too small. “It’s not like that at all.Maileah would never be interested in someone like me. She goes for the financial types like Todd.”
Adrian exchanged a knowing look with Jo. “If you say so.”
Sailor scoffed. “Come on, you two. Maileah’s all about finding Mr. Right and settling down. You know that’s not my style.”
The front door opened, and Officer Blumenthal returned.
Jo smiled at Blue before continuing. “People change. Sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we need.” To Blue, she added, “I’m almost finished, honey. I’ve got a package of food for you and one for Adrian.”
“You don’t have to go to any trouble, sweetheart,” Blue said.
“And let good food go to waste?” Jo shook her head. “I can’t do that. If you don’t want it, pass it on to someone who needs it.”
Sailor knew Blue did sometimes, but that was for Blue to say, not him.
As the others chatted for a few moments, Sailor mulled over their words. Maileah could be equally amusing or annoying, but one thing she wasn’t was boring. Maybe that was what Mr. Accounting saw in her, too.
As Jo flipped the sign on the door to Closed, Sailor rubbed his knee again before standing. Whether it was his physical condition or something else, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was shifting.
After saying goodnight to Jo and Blue, Sailor walked out with his father to help him put his equipment into his SUV.
Adrian shut the rear hatch and placed a hand on Sailor’s shoulder. “Don’t close any doors before they’ve opened. You might be surprised.”
“What the heck does that mean?”
“I don’t have to spell it out for you.”
“You’re wrong about this.” Sailor embraced his father. “See you tomorrow.” Afterward, he got into his old Jeep and turned toward his home, shaking his head at his father’s outlandish ideas.
5
While her mother logged items from a box onto a spreadsheet on a computer, April rolled up her sleeves and leaned over a large oak table, carefully spreading out the musty, yellowed newspapers and brittle letters. The afternoon sun streamed through the new windows of her Crown Island Historical Society, illuminating the donated artifacts from one of the island’s founding families.
Today was a dusty workday, so April had donned her jeans and loafers and brushed her hair into a ponytail. Ella had been eager to help her.
An old record player sat on a table, and in one box, they’d discovered old recordings of big band entertainers recorded at the Majestic Hotel. The lively music filled the air, with the slightly scratchy sound only adding to the charm.
