Page 9 of Charlie and Her Sweet Escape
Rosie
Because Charlie.
I’m worried about her, Ben.
Bennett
Yeah. Me too.
Okay, how do I look? *picture*
Jules
Like a circus bear.
Bennett
Exactly the look I was going for.
I tugged at the collar of my shirt. How in the world did people wear suits for hours at a time? One dinner, and I was ready to take my steak knife to the tie nearly strangling me.
I could be out of here, suit coat off, top button undone, feeling the wind blow through my hair in about five seconds flat.
If not for Charlie.
Every single insufferable person in Winterhaven was at the couple’s shower. It was like the Millers kept a list of people who put off gatekeeper energy and invited them all to this dinner. I might be offended to be on such a list, if not for the fact that I knew I was invited for one reason, and one reason only.
Ten years ago, my brothers and I pulled together our inheritance money and savings and then took out a substantial loan to buy one of the many tiny islands in southeast Alaska. Timing and luck meant that we’d gotten a great deal from someone who’d needed to offload it quickly.
Well, timing, luck, and a huge dose of heaven smiling down on four grieving siblings. That island had saved each of us more than once. And we all agreed that no amount of money wouldentice us to sell it. That didn’t stop Garrison from trying. He’d offered us nearly double the island’s value. He’d soft-threatened to take us to court for a vague, unspecified infraction. Now, he was attempting to bring me into his world and make me his friend.
And so far, I’d said no to every single invitation.
Until now.
Charlie and Greg’s schmoozy wedding shower.
I would have said no to this, too, if not for my baby sister, Rosie. Rosie and Charlie were best friends, and since Rosie had moved to Montana with her new husband, Charlie had been more withdrawn.I’m worried about her, Ben.
I stopped tugging at the collar of my shirt and took another bite of my salmon. Charlie’s seat next to Greg was still empty. I wanted to text her and see where she was, but Garrison hadn’t stopped talking long enough for me to pull my phone out and shoot her a quick message to make sure everything was okay.
Other than an announcement that Charlie was running late but on her way, no one was acknowledging that she wasn’t even here for her own party. Garrison’s wife stood and left the room, followed a moment later by Greg. I was tempted to fake a need to use the restroom and sneak out the front door when no one was looking.
“How much retirement can a fisherman count on?” Garrison asked, his voice deceptively casual.
He was so transparent.
“None at all,” I said with a grin he probably couldn’t see through my beard. My sister complained that it was long past time for me to trim it, but I liked that it kept most of my emotions and reactions hidden from people.
He coughed in surprise before launching into his pitch on how I could invest my portion of the money he paid me for the island, and I’d be set up for a really cushy retirement.
Retirement was a long time away. What I really needed the money for was saving Forrester Excursions from falling down around me—literally. My building was coming apart at the seams, and I’d be lucky to get one more season out of it. Not thatanythingwould compel me to sell our island. Especially to Garrison.
I’d have to come into a windfall of cash some other way. Or go back to square one and build from the ground up. It wouldn’t be the first time, but the thought sank me faster than a dead anchor in deep waters.
I zoned out while Garrison droned on. He loved hearing his own voice so much, he didn’t need me to actually listen.
Maybe that’s why it took the sound of someone pushing their chair back from the table and screaming before I heard the bark. It was low and growly, and I immediately stood and looked for the source. There was no way in this world the Millers owned a dog. Especially not a filthy one with a bloody leg. Its hackles were raised, and it looked one wrong move away from attacking anyone who came too close.
