Page 119 of Eclipse Bay

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s not go too far into let’s-feel-sorry-for-poor-Jed-who-came-from-a-dysfunctional-family territory. I’m sure it’s all true, but I can’t believe that he didn’t know a few of the rules. The night he murdered Kaitlin Sadler in order to get his hands on those blackmail tapes he broke those rules. I’m sure he was well aware of what he was doing.”

“You know, Hannah, that’s one of the things I like about you.” For the first time that evening there was a trace of wry amusement in Rafe’s words. “I can always count on you to cut right to the heart of the matter.”

Hannah sighed. “All right, if you’re not brooding because of Jed, do you mind telling me why you’ve been in such a foul mood all evening?”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“No offense, but I’m not sure it’s good for you.”

“I appreciate the positive feedback.”

“Okay, okay. I don’t want to argue.”

“But you’re so good at it.”

She tightened her hands inside the pockets of her sweater jacket. “Let’s start over. Tell me what you’ve been thinking about this evening.”

He was silent for a couple of heartbeats. She had the impression that he was gathering himself for a big jump.

“I’ve decided to sign over my half of Dreamscape to you,” he said.

For a few seconds she thought she had misunderstood. She reran his simple statement twice through her brain before she finally decided she had gotten it right the first time.

She came to a sudden halt on the beach and swung around to face him. “You’re going to dowhat?”

“You heard me.” He stopped and looked at her.

“Dreamscape is Harte property. It’s always been Harte property. I know your aunt had some romantic notions, but the truth is, I don’t have any real claim on the place. It’s yours. I’m not going to fight you for it.”

Panic seized her. She jerked her hands out of her pockets and grabbed fistfuls of his black pullover. “I thought we had a deal.”

“You didn’t seem interested.”

“I never got a chance to respond.” She stood on tiptoe and leaned closer. “Arizona Snow arrived with her logbook in the middle of our business discussion, if you will recall. Then came our big deductions concerning Kaitlin Sadler’s death.”

“Hannah—”

“That was followed by you and your grandfather deciding to engage in a bit of breaking and entering. The next thing we know, Jed Steadman has left town and you’re brooding. All in all, it’s been a somewhat hectic day. I haven’t had a chance to get back to you on your business offer.”

“I’ve known for a long time now that my claim on Dreamscape was the only thing I could use to hold you. I don’t want to use it.”

“Excuse me if I got this wrong, but I was under the impression that you saw me and Dreamscape as a sort of package deal.”

“I can build my restaurant somewhere else.”

“Your dream of a restaurant is your passion. Dreamscape is the best possible location for it, and you know it. You can’t give it up.”

“Got news for you, Hannah. The restaurant is important, but it’s not my greatest passion.”

“Rafe—”

“I don’t want you and the restaurant in a business deal.”

“You’re the one who made the offer.”

“I was getting desperate.”

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