Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(41)

“Either way,” Kelly’s friend said, “I think I’d put up with a few bumps in the night for an encounter with a sexy sea captain.”

“Careful,” Chance warned. “You don’t want to make Marguerite jealous.”

Everyone laughed.

Except Chloe. Standing at the buffet, she blinked her eyes to stave off tears. Stories such as these were exactly why she’d been convinced that finding the necklace had been a sign of acceptance. What if it had all been wishful thinking on her part? Her nose threatened to water along with her eyes, so she sniffed discretely.

“You okay?” Chance said beside her in a low voice.

Looking over, she saw the concern in his kind eyes and pasted on a determined smile. “I’m fine.”

“If you’re sure,” he said, frowning in doubt.

“Just allergies,” she lied, wishing all these people would leave so she could get on the inn’s computer and learn the truth.

Unfortunately, rather than leaving after breakfast, Kelly and her friend decided to visit the gift shop again, the way they had yesterday. Chloe wanted to scream as they oooh-ed and ah-ed over every item on the shelves.

Finally, thankfully, the women made their purchases and headed out for a day of exploring Galveston.

Now that she had an opportunity to research the truth, however, Chloe stood behind the checkout counter wondering how she’d react to whatever she found. Either Luc was a liar—and a potentially crazy one at that—or he was telling the truth, and finding the necklace had nothing to do with the ghosts.

Suddenly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know which was true.

Her cowardice stunned her. She’d never been one to hide from reality. She’d spent her life facing it. Maybe she kept a lot of truths to herself, but she never hid from them.

For a moment, though, she wanted desperately to believe she could have both Luc as the man she’d thought he was and the sense of acceptance on Pearl Island she craved.

“Wishful thinking,” she muttered, disappointed in herself. Dreaming had never gotten her anything but hurt.

She heard the front door open and close loudly.

“Chloe?” Allison called out from the hall.

Chloe lifted her head to find her aunt rushing into the gift shop, looking upset. “Alli, what is it?”

“Scott’s right behind me,” Allison said, glancing over her shoulder. “I have however long it takes him to get Nicki out of the car to warn you.”

“Warn me about what?” Alarm shot through Chloe.

“Scott is very unhappy this morning.”

“Why?” she asked as she heard the front door open again, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.

“Too late.” Allison sagged an instant before her husband appeared in the doorway.

“Uncle Scott.” Chloe straightened as she took in his ominous expression. Even with little Nicki dressed in a ruffled pink dress perched on his hip, Scott gave off an air of danger in his all-black attire. His dark hair, angular features, and thin beard gave him a deceptively sinister look he never bothered to soften. She managed a nervous smile. “What are you doing here?”

“What? I’m not allowed to stop by the inn now and then?” One of his black brows went up.

“I thought you were on deadline with a new novel.”

“Maybe I have writer’s block.”

“You haven’t had writer’s block in years.” She tried to laugh but failed, since something was clearly up.

“It’s a bit hard to concentrate when I learn my sister is up to her old tricks.” He scowled. “Why didn’t you tell me Diane has been practicing her emotional blackmail on you again?”

“You told him?” Chloe looked at Allison accusingly.

“No, she didn’t.” Scott shot his wife a disgruntled look. “I found out because Diane called me last night and tried to get me to talk you into going to her engagement party.”

“What!” Chloe pressed a hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe she called you.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this yourself. You know I’m here for you any time you need me. Why didn’t you say something?”

She wanted to groan. There was a time when she’d savored his help like a starving beggar at a feast, until she realized how her conflicts with Diane only added another wedge between Scott and his sister. Until recent years, Scott had been as much Diane’s ally against their parents as he’d been Chloe’s refuge. The last few fights between Chloe and Diane had changed that, though, and she didn’t want to cause more strife between them.

As often happened, Scott’s protectiveness came out as anger. “For God’s sake, I didn’t even know my sister was getting married again until last night.”

“I’m sorry, okay?” She ran a hand through her hair. “I guess I should have told you that much at least.”

She hadn’t wanted to, though, because she knew he wouldn’t be invited to the wedding. Scott hadn’t spoken to John directly for years and he had only minimal contact with his mother. Things were especially dicey since his parents had remarried.

“And what’s this nonsense about Diane wanting you to get clear ownership of the necklace you found?”