Page 35 of Refuge for Ailsa

“It belongs to me.”

“I see. It’s very nice. Nice store, nice marina, nice parking area, all kinds of amenities. I guess this place set you back quite a bit, huh?”

“No, sir. I inherited it.” Starlight was wound like a spring, and Ailsa hoped she didn’t attack the man. He probably had a gun. She had one too, a shotgun under the counter, and she knew how to use it.

“Oh. I see. I’m so sorry. Parents, huh?”

“No, sir. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can help you with?”

“No, no. I’m sorry. I’m just talking your ear off, huh?” He grinned and stood there for a minute with a look that completely unnerved Ailsa. “Well, I guess I’d better be getting along. Say, is that boat the Bentleys had for sale?”

“I wouldn’t know. The police hauled it away as evidence.”

“Oh, right. Of course. I guess they’ll be bringing it back when it’s all over, huh?”

“Sir, I wouldn’t know.”

“Right. Well, you have a lovely day, young lady. Thanks for letting me browse.”

“You’re welcome.” She usually finished that by asking folks to come back soon, but she didn’t want him there. She didn’t want to see him again. Something about the man made her very, very uncomfortable. Starlight left the area behind the counter and slinked toward the door in cougar style, then stood at the glass and watched until the man got in his car and drove away. Only then did the dog come back to Ailsa and sit down by her feet. “You didn’t like him at all, did you, girl?” Starlight responded by licking Ailsa’s hand. “I didn’t like him either.”

No one else came in until a little after eleven, and when she heard the door chime, she prayed it wasn’t that man again. Before she could make it to the doorway, a voice called out, “Where’s that red-headed temptress who runs this joint?”

Ailsa laughed as she ran toward his voice. “I’m here!” Throwing her arms around his neck, she smothered his face with kisses.

“Wow. I should leave and come back more often. That’s the most enthusiastic greeting I think I’ve ever gotten.” Starlight was so excited that she spun, sat, spun, sat, spun, sat, and Tavish reached down to scratch her head. “Even the dog is glad to see me.” Ailsa had started pulling food out of the bag and placing it on the counter. “Have a good morning?”

Should she tell him? “Uh, yeah,” she answered, not meeting his gaze.

“Ailsa?” She was unwrapping a sandwich when his hand landed on top of hers, stilling it. “What’s going on? There’s something you’re not telling me.”

All she could do was sigh. Damn, he was just too perceptive. “Yeah, okay, but I’m sure it was nothing.”

“If it’s got you rattled, it’s something.” He sat down on a stool at the counter, wove his fingers together as his fists rested on its surface, and waited. “Well? Spit it out.”

“This man came in.”

“And that’s unusual how?”

“He was asking me weird questions. Questions about the Bentleys.”

“The Bentleys… Oh! The Bentleys. Yeah. He was asking you questions about them?”

“Actually, more like about the accident. And talking about financial stuff. Asked me if I owned the marina or just ran it. I thought that was a bit personal.”

Tavish seemed to stiffen in front of her eyes. His spine was poker straight when he said, “Way too personal.”

“Yeah.” She recounted the whole conversation and included the things the man was doing as he talked. When she finished, she said, “Weird, huh?”

“Kinda creepy, if you ask me. Did you recognize him?”

“No. Never saw him before.”

“Huh. Well, if he comes back, you call me. If I’m too far away, I’ll call DeputyWright and see if he can drive in, ask the guy a few questions and see why he’s so interested in what’s going on here.”

“That would be good, but I hope he doesn’t come back. He made me very nervous.” Then she remembered to say, “Oh, and Starlight was on red alert. Wound tighter than a spring, a little bit of growling, hypervigilant.”

That got his attention. “Let me tell you something about that dog. If she doesn’t like somebody, there’s a reason, and I can guarantee it’s not good. He comes back, you press the panic button and get somebody in here. I don’t like that at all. Not one bit.”

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