Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(10)

His gaze took in the light pouring through the tall windows. “Good space. I like the high ceilings.”

Kate showed him through the rest of the house. Both bedrooms were large and airy, though they needed painting. The oak floors needed refinishing, but they’d do for the summer. They ended up back in the living room with Emma and Phoebe both still in the guest room staking out their areas.

“I think the girls have already decided. I’ll take it.”

Her full lips curved. “It’s six thousand for the rest of the summer.”

“That’s fine.” He almost smiled at her shock at his quick acceptance of her exorbitant price. She’d expected him to dicker, but he’d seen the decrepit Volkswagen sitting in the drive across the road. “When can we move in?”

“I should have it ready in a week or less. There’s a nice hotel on Folly Shoals if you want to stay at the Hotel Tourmaline for now.”

“I’ll do that.” He handed her his card. “Call me when it’s ready. And if you know of a good nanny, I’m looking to hire one for the summer as well.”

He herded the girls back to the SUV. He had the rest of the summer to get to know more about her. Maybe she could help him search for answers. From her broad New England accent, she’d lived here all her life.

*

Kate watched Drake’s fancy gray Land Rover disappear in a cloud of dust down the dirt road. “Six thousand dollars.” Saying it aloud should have helped her accept the reality of renting the cottage, but it still seemed surreal. She was bound to wake up any moment and discover it had been a lovely dream. With that money she might be able to replace her wheezing refrigerator. Even better, she could afford a nice wedding gift for Claire. She hadn’t been too sure about him until the girls scampered out of the backseat. After the man appeared in her yard the other night, she’d been on high alert for the slightest hint of danger.

Claire’s little white convertible pulled up in front of the cottage, and her sister climbed out. Her hair was in a careless ponytail, a look Kate found childishly adorable after seeing Claire so often with her hair in a prim updo, and she wore white shorts and a pink top.

Claire’s gaze roamed over her. “You’ve got a silly smile. What’s up?”

“I rented the cottage!”

“Already?” Claire tightened her ponytail and dug out a stick of lip gloss.

Kate settled on the settee on the porch and patted the cushion beside her. “Sit down and I’ll tell you all about it.”

Claire’s eyes widened, and she paused in her lip gloss application as Kate launched into how the man had stopped out of the blue and asked to see the cottage. “The rest of the summer?”

“I asked for double what I thought I could get, and he said yes. Six thousand dollars for six weeks!”

A frown crouched between Claire’s eyes, and she put the lip gloss back in her purse. “You don’t think he’s some kind of criminal, do you?”

Kate felt a little prick in her bubble of happiness. She hadn’t thought of why the man might be so agreeable. Was it possible he wasn’t what he seemed? He was very attractive, but she wasn’t one to look at just physical appearance, and she hadn’t sensed any kind of danger swirling around him once she saw the girls.

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. He had his two nieces with him, and he was driving a Land Rover. I figured he was a flatlander looking to get away from the city’s heat.”

Claire’s expression cleared. “I’m sure you’re right, but I think I’ll have Kevin run a check on him just to be safe. You’re so isolated out here.”

Kevin O’Connor was the area’s game warden and Claire and Kate’s second cousin. Because his mother and Kate’s mother had a falling out years ago, he and Kate had only gotten to be friends in high school when he was dating her friend Mallory. He’d be able to complete a quiet query that wouldn’t rile anyone.

“You’re just overreacting because of that flatlander. He won’t come back here.” It was better to assure Claire rather than tell her how she’d checked the locks and the new security system three times before going to bed the past two nights. And she hadn’t slept well, jerking awake with every sound outside. “But it wouldn’t hurt to check him out. He didn’t wear a wedding ring.”

Claire’s lips curved. “You looked?”

“Well, yeah. He was about six-three with dark curly hair. Nice manner. A Captain America type. He seemed to be a professional of some kind. He sure had his hands full with the kids though. They’re going to run him ragged this summer, I think.”

“Why’d he have them instead of their parents?”

“He didn’t say. Maybe they’re out of the country or something. I could tell he wasn’t used to dealing with kids though. He wanted to hire a nanny, too, but I don’t know of anyone looking for a job like that.”

Claire crossed her ankles and leaned back on the settee. “You could do it.”

“Me?” The thought hadn’t crossed her mind. She studied her nails, which were in terrible shape from the painting. It would take some serious work to get them looking halfway decent.

“You’re good with kids.”

“And I’ll never have my own anyway, is that what you’re thinking?” The hot words burst out of her throat, and her eyes burned.