Page 68 of Reckless Kiss

Erica had removed her sunglasses and dropped them into her black handbag. Her trouser suit was perfect for an office worker. He’d never seen her so formally dressed, making him think of a chameleon. He never knew how she would appear each time he saw her.

“What can I do to ease your worry?” he asked.

“Tell me he isn’t going to grill us, and I don’t have to lie any more than necessary.”

“It’s going to be fine, don’t worry,” Archer said.

He was fully confident his aunt had fixed everything for them. Undoubtedly, a donation to the church had arrived in the last few days to ease the interview. They walked to the front door, and Archer rapped the brass knocker. When no one answered, he looked around to see if he could see Father Sheldon Chivers. The only thing he could hear was the birds chirping.

“I’ll go around the back. He might be in the garden,” Archer said, dropping her hand.

He rounded the corner of the house and walked across the grass to the back of the house. It was quiet there too. Archer was sure he’d made the appointment for today with the administrator for the church. Turning back to meet with Erica again, he stopped when he saw Erica talking to a woman wearing a dog collar. Ordinarily, a female vicar wouldn’t have alarmed him, except they were expecting an old family friend. Instead, Erica looked disturbed and uneasy as she made small talk with the other woman. As he neared, Erica stepped towards him.

“This is Reverend Wendy Sprite, the new vicar on Copper Island. Father Chivers retired a while ago.”

Stunned by the news and furious with his aunt for not telling him, Archer gritted his teeth, painted on a smile, and stuck his hand out to shake the vicar’s offered hand in greeting.

“It’s great to meet you. Have you been on the island long?” Archer asked.

“About a month. I came for my predecessor’s retirement party. Your aunt sure knows how to say thank you in style. The grounds at Turner Hall are gorgeous.”

Archer wanted to laugh and then howl at the turn of events. Murderous thoughts entered his head about his aunt and her manipulating ways.

“Thank you. It’s an amazing house to grow up in, with plenty of space to run around and climb trees.”

Making small talk was painful. Erica squeezed his hand with a look of sheer terror on her face.

“I’m sorry I was running late. Shall we go into the house, and I can make us some tea?” the vicar said.

“That would be lovely,” Erica replied, saving Archer from rescheduling after speaking to his aunt.

They entered the house and followed Reverend Sprite to the kitchen at the back. She flipped on the kettle while Archer felt lost in a place he’d spent many hours in as a choir boy along with his brothers.

“Did you know Father Chivers?” Reverend Sprite asked while she grabbed three mugs from the open shelving above the kettle.

“All my life,” Archer replied.

“It was a shame you couldn’t come to his retirement party,” she said.

Erica gave Archer a side glance, and he understood why. There was an undercurrent to her tone.

“What reason did my aunt give for us not attending?”

“She said none of you likes the island. I can’t see why that would be. It’s lovely here. Everyone is so friendly, and the views are to die for.”

“I’m an electrician. My three younger siblings, Jason, Luke, and Daisy, are a chef, medic, and crane operator. Until recently, we all worked on the same oil rig. We wouldn’t be granted permission to leave during our three-week stint for a retirement party.”

“Ah, understood. Your aunt didn’t explain about your jobs.”

Archer had a whole ream of points he wanted to make about her assumption of why he hadn’t come to say goodbye to a man who had helped him through his mother leaving. His faith had wavered, and Father Sheldon Chivers was there for him.

Reverend Sprite brought the tray of tea mugs across to the table with a plate of plain biscuits. Fully aware of Erica’sagitation at the change of events, he rested his hand on her bouncing knee. To his relief, she stilled immediately.

“Tell me how you two met?” the reverend asked.

“We met on the island,” Erica replied before lifting the mug to her lips.

“Was that a few years ago? Your aunt said you haven’t been back for some time, Archer.”

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