Jeff shrugged, and his dark eyes didn’t leave his face. “Uncle Stu is worried about you. With good reason. You really should be careful.”
Ian stared at a spot over Jeff’s shoulder and smiled when he recognized his cousin, Jonathan, staggering on his feet and pointing at the dart board. “Does Jonathan ever go home?”
Jeff twisted in his seat and shook his head. “Joanne is going to kill him.”
Jonathan spun around, spotted them, and staggered over. Smelling like beer, he draped his arms over his cousins and laughed. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”
Ian leaned back. “How much you had to drink, Johnny?”
Jonathan removed his arms and squinted. “I have no idea. I’m glad I ran into you though. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
Ian took a long sip of his drink. “Everything okay?”
“If you need any help with Aunt Kelly’s case, you tell me.” Jonathan’s expression turned serious. “I heard my dad talking about how that burglar they caught was sent by Eric Taylor and how he’s coming after us.”
“We need to come up with a plan so he doesn’t catch us by surprise again,” Jeff added with a quick look between the two of them. “I want to help too. Whatever you need, Cous.”
Ian gave them both a tight smile. “Let’s just take it one day at a time.”
The last thing he wanted was to put more of his family members in the crosshairs, and he had no doubt his aunt Ashley and uncle Frankie would wring his neck if he placed their kids in harm’s way.
But Ian also knew he couldn’t face Eric alone.
When push came to shove, Ian had a feeling he would need all-hands-on-deck.
Chapter Five
Ian tapped his earpiece, and the music played. He placed his arms on either side of him and set off at a brusque pace, winding through the half-empty streets of Falmouth. A few people called out to him in greeting, and he smiled in return.
Sweat formed on the back of his neck and his forehead.
Halfway through his run, his mind was still racing and spinning, and his shirt was plastered to his back. He peeled it away, paused to stretch his arms, and caught a glimpse of his reflection in the glass window of Decadent Treats. He frowned at the tufts of hair on top of his head and the sickly sheen of perspiration on his skin. Then he spotted his cousin, Emily, who stood behind the glass counter in an apron and a bandana around her forehead.
She glanced over and waved when she saw him.
He had his arms twisted over his back when Emily came out, red-faced and carrying a paper bag in her hand. “I thought that was you. Why don’t you come in for a bit?”
Ian shook his head. “Can’t. I’ve got to keep running. Thanks, Em.”
Emily grinned. “I had a feeling you’d say that, so I added a few of your favorite treats in there. There’s something for Lucy and Dean too.”
Ian paused and sniffed, the smell of cinnamon and apples wafting through the air. “You’re making it hard for me to resist right now. I’m trying to cut back on sugar.”
Emily waved the bag in front of his face. “One muffin won’t hurt.”
Ian’s stomach grumbled in response. “Remind me to take another route during my run. The next time you see Lucy, you’ll be the one to tell her you’re the reason I’ve got sugar cravings.”
Emily laughed and shoved the paper bag against Ian’s chest. “Deal. Now, take the bags and go. I’ve got to get back inside.”
“Thanks, Em.”
Ian waited till she was gone before opening the bag and inhaling. Then he tucked it underneath his arm and continued on his run, each step harder than the last.
But Lily was right; he needed something to clear his head in the mornings.
He didn’t like feeling unmoored and aimless.
Ian was settling into an even pace and circling the block where Wilson Realty was located when the music stopped, and Kelli’s name flashed across the screen.
