Page 31 of Brass Anchor Inn

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jo moving behind the checkout counter. He noticed how quiet she’d been since they’d entered the store. He couldn’t help but wonder why she was acting so awkward.

“Lane,” Mrs. Turner said, “what are you doing for dinner this evening?”

He hadn’t expected that question. “I’ll probably just grab something at The Lighthouse Café. It’s where I’ve gotten all of my meals since I arrived. Their food is really good.”

Mrs. Turner nodded. “Their food is delicious, but you can’t eat all of your meals there. Why don’t you come to our place for dinner?”

Just then Jo turned to face him. As she was standing behind her parents, she shook her head and mouthed the wordno. He was utterly amused. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so entertained. And so it made the answer easy for him.

He turned to Jo’s mother. “Thank you. I would love to join you.”

Mrs. Turner smiled as she clasped her hands together. “That’s wonderful. I want you to know it won’t be anything fancy.”

“Ignore my wife.” Mr. Turner wrapped his arm around his wife. “Everything she makes is delicious.”

The love between the couple was genuine and obvious even to a casual bystander. It was something he’d never seen between his parents. He wondered if his parents had ever been in love. He highly doubted it, considering his father’s mean streak. And then his father had up and left them without a backward glance.

He hated how these long-buried memories crept into his thoughts. Long ago, he had put them in the back of his mind and promised himself he wouldn’t revisit them. What was it about Bluestar that had him dredging up his childhood?

“We can go now, if you want,” Mr. Turner said. “It never hurts to close early every now and then.”

His wife turned to him. “I love the way you think. Let’s do it.” And then she turned to Kent. “You’ll join us, right?”

Kent smiled and shrugged. “Who am I to turn down free food?”

“Delicious food, you mean,” Mr. Turner said.

“Of course,” Kent said. “Let me back up a couple of computer files, and I’ll be right there.” He turned and headed for the office.

Mrs. Turner turned to her daughter. “You’re awfully quiet.”

Jo taped a flyer to the front of the checkout counter. “I’m just tired.”

“Of course you are. You’ve had a big week. Finding out you own half the inn and then learning that Lane, here, is your partner. A good home-cooked meal will help you feel better.”

He wasn’t sure what to make of Jo and her family. They were too good to be true. He wanted to believe they were putting on a show of love and harmony just for him, but their interaction was so easy and comfortable that it was hard not to believe it was all real.

Now that he’d gotten past his amusement over teasing Jo about this dinner, he realized it wasn’t such a good idea after all. He’d arrived on the island with the intent to take care of the estate, sell the inn, and get out without letting himself get close to anyone. It was easier to handle business that way. Just like it was easier to sell the inn without spending much time in it.

But as Mr. and Mrs. Turner headed for the door, he knew it was too late to back out of dinner now. When he glanced at Jo, she frowned at him. At least this promised to be an interesting dinner.

CHAPTER TEN

Itwasthelongestdinner of her life.

Josie couldn’t believe her mother thought it was a good idea for them all to share a meal. She had remained mostly quiet. The less she said, the more animated Lane had become. He had been surprisingly friendly and got along well with her parents.

She wanted to think that the more comfortable he got on the island, the more likely it’d be for him to reconsider selling the inn. However, she knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. Lane held some sort of resentment where his family was concerned. Getting him to view the inn in a favorable light was going to take a lot more effort.

After her mother’s roast and mashed potatoes were cleared from the table, Josie thought at last they could make their exit. Instead, her mother poured them each some coffee and then pulled out a chocolate cake with chocolate drizzle. How did her mother know to bake a cake that particular day? Sometimes her mother’s perfect timing totally alluded Josie. Unless her mother had this dinner planned…Nah, she wouldn’t do that. Would she?

Her mother served up the cake. As much as Josie didn’t need the calories, she couldn’t pass up her mother’s chocolate cake. It was so rich and moist. And her mother only made it on special occasions… Again, she wondered if her mother had intended for her and Lane to dine with them.

If so, what was she up to? Josie eyed her mother. She didn’t seem to be acting out of character. Maybe it was possible her mother just wanted to meet Lane.

“Now that you’re moving here,” her mother said to Lane, “you’ll have to come to dinner again.”

“Thanks but I’m not moving to the island. I need to get back to California. I’m only here to arrange for the sale of the inn.”

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