Page 7 of Serenity Harbor

“Okay. Twelve. But that’s my final offer.”

She looked dumbfounded, and for a moment he clung to a tiny sliver of hope that he might have a chance. In the end, she shook her head slowly, eyeing him like he had several loose screws.

“I said no,” she said. “I appreciate that you’re in a tight spot, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

“You don’t have to answer right now. Think about it overnight. If you change your mind, you can find me at 4211 Lakeview Drive. It’s a big cedar-and-stone house right along Serenity Harbor.”

“I know where it is. But don’t count on me changing my mind, Mr. Callahan. I’m only in town for my sister’s wedding and to visit family. I have no intention of taking a temporary job.”

“Just think about it,” he said.

Before she could respond, a pretty redhead turned the corner of the vegetable aisle. He had met Samantha Fremont a few times since he came to town and found her nice enough, though he always left their interactions wishing he were better at small talk.

She appeared surprised to find him and Katrina talking together, then her carefully made-up features shifted into a bright smile.

“Hi, Bowie,” she said, her voice a little breathless, before she turned to Katrina.

“There you are!” she exclaimed. “I’ve been looking all over the store for you. You’re not finished shopping yet? What’s taking you so long?”

“I was just about to check out. We had a little...situation, but it seems to be under control now. Sorry about that.”

“No worries.” She turned back to Bowie. “I don’t know if you remember me, but we met a month or so ago at Snow Angel Cove. You work at Caine Tech with Aidan and Ben, right?”

Yes. And they were counting on him to deliver results, as soon as he figured out what to do with his brother. “I remember. Good to see you again.”

“I don’t know this little guy, though. Is this your son?”

Milo, who had reacted with uncharacteristic warmth to Katrina, gave Sam his blank, almost empty stare.

“This is my brother, Milo.”

“Hi there, Milo. My name is Samantha.”

With more of that odd affinity, he sidled closer to Katrina, who gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Sam is nice. She’s my very best friend in the whole wide world and has been since we were just a little older than you.”

After a moment, Milo handed over another twist-tie creation. Samantha Fremont blinked in surprise at it for a moment, then accepted it gingerly.

“Um. Thanks,” she said, clearly at sea.

Katrina tugged her away.

“We have to go. We’re going to be late for a party. It was nice to meet you, Milo.”

She hadn’t said it was nice to meethim. Bowie told himself not to be disappointed by the omission.

“Think about it,” he said.

“I gave you my answer, Mr. Callahan. I won’t change my mind.”

As she walked away with her friend, he had to hope she was wrong about that. If not, he wasn’t sure how he would survive the next three weeks until the autism specialist could arrive.

* * *

KATRINA’SSHOULDERBLADESitched as she walked away from Bowie and Milo, and she was certain if she turned around, she would find one—or possibly both—of them watching after her.

This was what happened to women who didn’t mind their own business. They ended up having to turn down outrageous job offers they couldn’t for amomentactually be considering.

Sam waited only until they had headed for the checkout line before questions burst out of her. “What was that all about? What are you supposed to think about?”

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