Page 30 of The Bookstore on Marco Island

“Yes!” Steph frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“You love your wine but have changed it for herbal iced tea. You’re not riding as much as you usually do.” Nicky listed the things she’d noticed Steph had changed. “You’ve started power walking instead of jogging, and since I’ve been home, I’ve barely seen Max.” Her eyes narrowed.

“You know my husband.” Steph laughed, trying to make light of it. “He’s been so busy at the Marine Center with the extension that I’ve hardly seen him. Thank you for asking and caring, but we’re fine.”

Nicky wasn’t sure if Steph was trying to convince them or herself of that statement, and she could sense something wasn’t right with her. Steph and her husband did everything together when they weren’t at work. Even during their girl’s nights, Max made a point of dropping Steph off and greeting everyone. He hadn’t done that the past two times they’d had their weekly sisters’ dinner night. Nicky couldn’t remember seeing them hold hands or do their usual unabashed public displays of affection they were well known for.

Alarm spread through Nicky as she eyed her younger sister worriedly, hoping it was just her imagination and there was nothing wrong with Steph’s marriage. She really had married the perfect guy, and Nicky wasn’t lying when she’d told Steph the other five Scott sisters envied her. Nicky shook it off, putting her feelings down to paranoia after having her marriage blow up and the mystery of who their father was secretly paying money to.

“Nicky!” Jade’s voice called from the beach as she came into view.

Nicky’s heart lurched when she saw Jade running toward them with Belvedere, whom she’d taken for the afternoon, followed by Mike.

“So that’s where Belvedere was!” Steph grinned as they watched the trio draw closer.

“Hi,” Mike greeted them as he, Jade, and Belvedere stopped at the end of the deck. “Sorry to intrude on your evening, but we brought Belvedere home.”

“Thank you for letting me look after him today,” Jade said, walking onto the deck with Belvedere traipsing alongside her.

“You’re welcome,” Nicky said, pushing herself up and hoping her shaky legs would hold her.

“Hi, Jade,” Steph and Lorry greeted the young girl before turning toward Mike. “Hi, Mike.”

“Hi, ladies,” Mike greeted them in unison with his niece.

“Would you like to join us for a glass of wine?” Steph invited him and then turned to Lorry. “We have an assortment of sodas and healthy iced teas.”

“Oh, no, we don’t want to disturb you,” Mike told them.

“You won’t be,” Lorry assured him, giving Nicky a knowing look.

“I don’t mind, Uncle Mike,” Jade said.

“Okay.” Mike nodded, stepping onto the deck.

“I’ll get the wine,” Lorry offered.

“Why don’t I take Jade to choose a soda?” Steph stood at the same time Lorry did.

Before Nicky could say anything, the three of them and Belvedere disappeared into the house. She stood staring after them, her heart hammering against her ribs before turning toward Mike, who was always staring after the trio.

“Take a seat,” Nicky told him.

“Thanks,” Mike said and sat beside her. “This is a lovely deck.”

“Yes, we like to sit out here in the evening and have sundowners,” Nicky said and wanted to kick herself for stating the obvious.

“If it wasn’t for the footpath that ran past the store, Riley Cottage, and my cottage, I’d like to put a deck out in front of my cottage like this,” Mike told her.

“You could,” Nicky said. “Extend the footpath toward the beach, and then you could put one long deck out for your and Megan’s cottage and extend the store’s deck.”

“That’s a good idea,” Mike said, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. “I’m going to ask Tom to take a look at it and see if he can work his architect magic.”

“Soon, you’ll be having sundowners on a deck, too,” Nicky said with a grin. “I love curling up with a book on a lounger in the morning sun.”

“That explains your sun-kissed skin,” Mike told her, making her heart go wild and her cheeks heat.

“You’ve also got a good tan,” Nicky complimented him. Her eyes fell on the dark blue T-shirt stretched over his well-defined chest, and she gave herself a mental shake.

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