LITMIR.BIZ

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week after that.”

      They headed up wooden steps that creaked and moaned. “Good security.”

      “What?” She frowned.

      “Creaking stairs. Hard to sneak up on anyone.”

      She laughed, but he wasn’t kidding.

      Abby unlocked the door and flipped on the light. “There’s furniture, too.”

      The apartment was clean and included a reasonable-size living room and a small kitchen, including a table. The first bedroom was indeed fit for a princess. The mural was a work of art. A castle filled one corner of the wall. Princesses in bright gowns danced on a hill with bunnies and ponies.

      “You can sleep in here.” Her eyes twinkled.

      Kaden just shook his head. “Let’s see the other room.”

      The bed in there was large.

      “This should work. Thank you.”

      Abby handed him a key. “I should let Nathan know I won’t need his crew to fill in at the B and B.”

      “I can do that.” It gave Kaden a chance to tell Nathan his real purpose.

      Abby headed back to Fitzgerald House and Kaden went down to the restaurant and found Nathan.

      “Any place we can talk in private?” Kaden asked.

      “Sure.” Frowning, Nathan led him to a room behind the bar. “What’s up? Is there news on Heather?”

      “No, but since I’m here, my superior wants me to keep an eye on Issy. We think Bole will come back for her daughter.”

      Nathan paced the long narrow room. “I won’t let her near Issy.”

      “Understood. But if the only access to Isabella is here, I want to be around to catch Bole.” And put the evil woman away. “That’s why I’m taking over my grandfather’s duties at the B and B.”

      “Good, good. I want her safe.” Nathan tugged off his cap and ran a hand through his hair. “Issy’s just coming out of her shell. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near her. What do you need from me?”

      “Her schedule.” Kaden nodded. “I’d like to talk to the person in charge of her day care and any other place she goes each day.”

      “Of course.” Nathan’s voice cracked.

      “I’ll be undercover. No one can know I’m with the FBI.”

      Nathan winced. “I can’t keep this from Cheryl.”

      Kaden tapped his fingers against his thigh. “Will she keep this secret?”

      “She can. She will,” Nathan vowed.

      “Fine. I should spend more time with Issy.” He didn’t let Nathan see the shiver that ran down his back. “Maybe tonight?”

      “Let’s have dinner again,” Nathan suggested. “That way she’ll know you’re a good guy.”

      “Okay.” This better not be a mistake. He didn’t want Issy hurt. Not on his watch.

      * * *

      “COURTNEY?” GRAY CALLED. “Let’s go.”

      “Almost ready.” She rubbed lotion on her pink skin. She’d sat in the garden reading, not noticing the time. Apparently, she’d stayed past her sunscreen expiration. She cringed at the idea of getting wrinkles or dry flaky sun-toughened skin. Mother would have scolded her soundly.

      She’d gotten about half of her clothes unpacked, including the sundress she wore today, and then started reading and that was that. The book was wicked good.

      Don’t use that expression. It is not how we talk.

      Well, she wasn’t wicked smart like Gray.

      She dressed and headed down the hall. Time to face her brother.

      Gray waited in the entry, wearing a slate-blue polo shirt and shorts with enough pockets in them to go wilderness hiking. He stood with his legs spread, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

      She blurted out, “You look like Father.”

      “Thank you.” He raised one black eyebrow over his blue eyes, eyes that were the same color as the ones she saw in the mirror every day. It wasn’t fair. She couldn’t achieve her brother’s lush eyelashes without careful layers of mascara.

      As they moved through the courtyard, Gray waved at two couples sitting at a small table.

      “Do you know them?”

      “They’re guests.”

      But customer service was Abby’s job. She frowned, then blurted out, “You’re...different here.”

      “What do you mean?”

      She pushed out a breath. “When you and Gwen were dating, she always complained you never made time to do the things she wanted to do.”

      “Gwen didn’t acknowledge I worked for a living.” He snorted. “I couldn’t be at her beck and call for parties and outings.”

      It still irritated Courtney that he’d thrown over her best friend for a gold-digging Fitzgerald sister. She and Gwen had grown up together. They were best—

      Courtney blinked. She hadn’t spoken to Gwen since leaving Boston. Shouldn’t her best friend have checked in? Told her how devastated she was without her?

      What were her friends doing? She hadn’t checked social media, not wanting to know life continued while she hid in Georgia.

      She and Gray stepped into Fitzgerald House. The kitchen bustled and the smells were amazing. It reminded Courtney of her favorite Mexican restaurant over in Back Bay. Salad plates lined every surface and Cheryl, Abby and someone she didn’t recognize worked side by side.

      “Hey, handsome,” Abby called out.

      “How’s the event going?” Gray asked.

      “They loved the appetizers. Salad course is going up now.” Abby tipped her head and Gray bent and dropped a kiss on her lips.

      “We’ll head into the library.” Gray brushed hair off Abby’s cheek. “We could eat someplace else.”

      “Give me a half hour or so.” Abby nodded at Cheryl. “Nathan and the kids are coming. And Kaden will be here, too.”

      Kaden. The handyman’s hot grandson. Courtney straightened her shoulders. Time to get her flirt on.

      “Come on, brat.” Gray moved to the swinging door. “We need to talk about why you’re really here in Savannah.”

      Uh-oh. She didn’t let the irritation in Gray’s voice alter her small smile.

      In the library she stalled, perusing the offerings. Peeking at Gray’s stony expression, all she wanted was a drink and a place to hide. Preferably in Boston.

      She put an enchilada on her plate and added a stuffed pepper, chips and salsa. When she spotted a pitcher of margaritas, she poured a glass. Hard alcohol might get her through Gray’s inquisition.

      “Front parlor.” He didn’t wait for her response, just led the way, carrying his own plate, and took an armchair. She sat on the edge of a small sofa, across the coffee table from him.

      “This smells so good.” She took a chip and ran it through the salsa. “Num. Your wife is so talented.”

      “Don’t suck up. I know your tricks.” His gaze was glacial. “When were you going to ask me about a job?”

      Never. She sampled her drink and let the sweet taste slide down. Darn it, Abby even made great mixed drinks. “A job?”

      He leaned across the table. “I talked to Father.”

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