Page 17 of Hook, Line and Mystery

DeeDee and Abby exchanged glances and smiles. Kit was a gentleman and not yet ready to make the true status of their relationship public. The interior of the B&B was adorned with maritime décor and antique furnishings. Natural light streamed through large, paneled windows, allowing for a cozy yet airy atmosphere.

Abby took in the comforting aroma of freshly laundered linens and herbal tea as she walked down the hall. Entering her room with its ocean view of the waves and the breeze dancing like children on the beach, Abby hugged herself. She’d been worried that going to Kit’s research center was a mistake, but he’d not only seemed happy to see her but had wanted to share his private domain.

Once inside her room, she looked at what she was wearing and thought about Kit in his jeans and his gray thermal hoodie over a black T-shirt. Deciding her clothes were fine, she stowed her research, plugged in her laptop, freshened her makeup and hair, and headed back down to the sitting room or parlor, as DeeDee liked to call it.

Taking Kit’s hand in hers, they headed back to a small, quaint restaurant in the heart of Badger’s Drift. A small banner hung from the roof declaring the restaurant was under new management.

“Is there a story there?” she asked.

“Yeah. It’s complicated, but it’s not because the food wasn’t good. The family had to leave town. One of the fishermen has a son who trained as a chef and decided he wanted to come back to Badger’s Drift and see if he could make a go of it.”

“That had to be expensive.”

Kit dropped his voice. “Word around town is the former owners made him a good deal and are financing what he hasn’t already paid.”

“This is what I like about Badger’s Drift. There’s even a mystery around somebody buying the restaurant.”

“It’s a little more upscale than the old restaurant, but it’s really good.”

“It looks crowded,” Abby observed as they pulled in.

“It is. That’s why I made reservations earlier in the day. I called them while I was waiting for you, to tell them we’d be early.”

Kit came around and opened her door, leading her inside. He smiled as people called and waved to him and they were shown to what Abby thought was most likely a premium table. They had a gorgeous view of the harbor, and the table was fairly private.

“Kit, good to see you. You want your usual IPA in a long-neck bottle?” asked the friendly waitress.

Kit nodded; they both looked to Abby. “Make it two,” she said.

“Do you guys want the charcuterie board?” She glanced at her watch. “I can just get you in under the happy hour wire so it’s half price.”

“Do you like charcuterie appetizers?” asked Kit solicitously.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever had one, but it sounds good.”

The waitress leaned over. “There is nothing on the menu that isn’t terrific. Blair really knows what he’s doing in the kitchen. I’ll go get your drinks and the board. Be right back.”

Abby noticed Kit seemed uncomfortable. “If you like, we can just have a beer and the charcuterie board and leave.”

He shook his head. “No. I’m sorry. I wasn’t even thinking about us or about everybody looking our way. Trust me, it isn’t a bad thing. Are they surprised to see us together? Maybe. I think those who saw us last night are probably telling each other ‘I told you so.’ The fact is people in Badger’s Drift care about each other. Most of them—both sexes—have been telling me I needed to move on, and that Clara wouldn’t have wanted me to pull into myself.”

“Are they right? Should I even ask that?”

He reached across the table and took her hand. “Let’s agree that we can ask each other anything. If the one being asked doesn’t want to answer, they don’t have to. No harm; no foul. Agreed?” Abby nodded. “And yeah, they’re right. I think Clara would have wanted me to be sad and to miss her, but not for the rest of my life. She would have been the first one to kick me in the ass. She knew how much I loved her, but… Geesh, should I even be telling you this?”

Abby smiled and squeezed his hand. “Let’s also agree that I’m not afraid of Clara’s ghost. I want you, and anybody who knew her, to feel like you can talk about her. I have to believe if she loved you, then she’d want you to be happy. I’d like to think she’d think maybe I could bring some light and laughter back into your life. I think if nothing else, she’d like it that I’m really falling for this place, and I want to help stop the poaching.”

Kit nodded. “I think you two would have been great friends. She loved romance novels and was always in awe of those who crafted them. Her parents weren’t much to talk about. When she was twelve, her Uncle Joe took over as guardian. He’s a great guy, but I’m not sure he knew how to nurture a twelve-year old girl. I will say, she was great on the water and could bait and place a lobster trap with the best of them.”

Abby laughed and thought Kit was probably right that she and Clara would have been friends.

“Excuse me,” said the waitress, putting down a round board with an array of delicious meats and cheeses. “Okay, we’ve got the shaved blueberry gin-cured salmon, prosciutto, baked brie, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, red onion jam, figs, nuts, fresh bread, and crostini.”

“That looks amazing,” said Abby.

“It is, but don’t let Kit hog the brie and the onion jam.”

Kit laughed. “No fair giving her pointers.”

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