“Find anything?”
I nodded.“Yeah.I just—well, you know me.My curiosity’s getting to me.”
Oliver made a face but then chuckled.“I do know you, and I’m surprised you made it this long.Want some company?I don’t think I can take any more of that blonde girl’s laughter.I feel like I’m eating dinner with Columbia fromRocky Horror Picture Show.”
My eyes widened, and I pointed a finger at him.“Yes.Yes.That’s exactly who I was trying to think of earlier too!”
Oliver moved to join me, snagging a windbreaker off a coat tree next to the front door.He held it out toward me.
“This is Maine in summer, and we’re right on the ocean.It’s bound to be damp and chilly.”
He turned back to grab one for himself.
“Do you just have these as extras?”
He nodded.“Yes.It’s good to have them for the guests.”
“Smart.”
Oliver grinned.“I can excel at hospitality when I want to.”
I pulled my raincoat on and slipped out the front door.The ocean breeze did have a bit of a bite to it, and I could smell the saltwater.In the distance, I could hear the waves crashing.
The sun set later given that it was July, but all signs of the bright sunshine were gone.The horizon past the ocean was an indigo purple, and without any lights to interfere with the night sky.I could see millions of pinpoints of light—stars scattered across the heavens.Gazing up at the sky in Maine never got old.
“So, what are we looking for?”Oliver asked.
“I don’t know specifically,” I said.
“Well, something is making you suspicious.”
I glanced over at Oliver, barely able to make out his features as we walked across the lawn.“I overheard that Nick guy complaining about that other actor.The one he was just snarky to in the dining room.Apparently, Vance—I think that’s his name—also got a part in the movie Nick’s involved in, and ye ole St.Nick is not pleased.”
“What does this have to do with Peanut attempting to fly without his sleigh?”
I gave him a look, even though I knew he couldn’t see it.“I heard him saying that this was going to ruin the movie, and it got me thinking about how he kept repeating that Peanut had ruined his gig as Saint Nicholas.I just thought maybe he gave him a little nudge as a bit of revenge.”
Even in the darkness, I could see Oliver nodding his head.“Nick does seem like a real narcissist.I’ve had to do acting jobs with people like him.They’re terrible to work with.”
“Definitely the type of guy who would do whatever he needed to to get ahead,” I told Oliver.
“But even at something local like this?I don’t know.That’s next level.”
I reached into my pocket to retrieve my phone, tapping on the flashlight.
“I don’t necessarily think we’ll find anything, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to look.”
Oliver nodded again.“It’s more interesting than listening to the blonde cackle and your dad and Cameron talk about their golf scores.”
He pulled out his cell phone and turned on the light.
“Are you okay with the fact Henry didn’t tell you about their little golf outing?”I began slowly illuminating the lawn as we got up to the rock wall.
“I don’t want to go, but it would be nice to be asked.”
I could hear the disappointment in his voice, and I totally understood.
“I just don’t think they even think to ask,” I said, waving my flashlight back and forth along the grass.
