Page 6

A person’s history tells a story.

T he sun was low in the western sky, and the bonfire in the middle of the sandy beach was already lit.

So were several of the young men gathered around it.

From what she could see, there were more men than women.

Meg spied the group of women hanging out next to another boat that had been beached on the shore.

Natasha waved her over. When Meg and Watson walked over, Natasha hugged her.

“I didn’t realize you were going to be here.” Meg glanced around at the other women. Three were from her class, but they hadn’t been friends. This was the old stoner group from high school. At least that was what the band kids had called them. Meg still had her flute.

“I told him to invite you. This is the gathering spot for everyone under thirty on the island. Unless they’ve already married and are living the boring settled life.

” She introduced the other women. “So remember that singles bar in Seattle, Harbor Bay Hannah’s?

The one we used to go to after we turned twenty-one?

This is Bainbridge Island’s equivalent.”

“Except the men at that bar were way cuter,” the woman standing next to Natasha added.

She glanced over at the group of men. “And usually less trashed than these guys. I swear, they must start drinking at noon. I’m not sure why I even come anymore.

I’m not that desperate. I’m Luna, by the way.

” Luna hadn’t been in Meg’s graduating class.

A cheer went up around the fire as someone threw an empty bottle into the flames. It was going to be a long night. Watson whined at her feet.

“I think I need to walk him.” Meg smiled at the group. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Luna followed her. “I’ll show you the property lines.

Most of the residents are cool, but some of them can be touchy about someone crossing the invisible line onto their precious private beach.

We don’t want the cops out here arresting people.

Most of these guys need to go to work tomorrow. So you came with Dalton. He’s sweet.”

“He’s my brother’s best friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids. He’s being nice.” Meg turned her head and caught sight of Dalton, who was talking with another guy. And watching her. He raised a soda bottle in greeting.

“He never brings anyone to the beach, and he never leaves with anyone, either. At least not since I’ve been here. And believe me, I’ve watched the guy. He’s hot.” Luna looked back and smiled at him and waved, but he turned away. “See? He’s guarded. Except with you.”

Meg thought about her mom’s earlier question.

Are you ready to date so soon? Dalton had been a part of her life as soon as he’d become friends with Junior.

History tells a story. She paused as Watson watered a small bush on a dune.

“I just got out of a serious relationship. I’m not ready to date yet. ”

Luna looked back again and saw that Dalton was still watching them. “Have you told him that?”

When they walked back to where they’d left the group of women, they saw that everyone had gathered around the fire. Dalton waved her and Watson over to a pair of chairs he’d set up outside the ring of people. “I’ve got soda or water. Or if you want something else, I’m sure someone has extra.”

As he said that, Natasha came over with a six-pack of hard lemonade drinks. “I hope you still drink these, Miss Fancy Pants. I couldn’t afford one of those bottles of wine you were drinking last week.”

“I’ll have one. You should come over one night, and we’ll open a bottle of that wine and order Chinese food.

I think my delivery service app is still attached to Romain’s checking account.

” Meg took one of the black cherry–flavored drinks.

“Bring over a chair and chat with us. I haven’t seen you since my walk of shame home. ”

“Moving home isn’t a walk of shame. You should have left that jerk a long time ago.” Natasha handed her the bottle. “Girls rule, boys drool.”

“What are you, twelve?” Dalton leaned back in his chair. He had been watching the conversation. “Natasha, do you want my chair?”

“No, I don’t. I want to sit in the sand and give Watson my full attention. He’s the only guy here I can trust.” Natasha sank to the sand and patted her leg to attract Watson. The dog looked up at Meg, then went and cuddled on Natasha’s lap.

“Traitor.” Meg reached down and rubbed Watson’s head. “He’s all confused, but he loves Aunt Melody’s backyard. He thinks we’re on vacation or something.”

“So how did the interview with Ms. Aster go? Are you working with a famous author now? Do you have a fancy title?” Natasha opened a bottle of the hard lemonade and took a sip of her drink.

“Researcher. But the pay’s great, so I don’t care what she calls me.

” Meg added to herself that she hoped once Lilly trusted her, maybe she’d get better assignments.

“Twenty hours a week, when I can fit them in, or more if I need it. With the bookstore hours, I’m full-time, with bare bone benefits.

I need to figure out insurance before Mom can’t cover me anymore.

She says insurance is crazy expensive and—”

Suddenly, a man stood over her, interrupting their conversation.

“Nate, what’s going on?” Dalton asked, standing up to meet the guy.

Meg could see it was a power move, but maybe Dalton was more worried about the weaving guy falling on her. He was drunk to the gills, a phrase her dad used all the time. Which told everyone how often island residents were drinking.

Nate pointed his finger toward her. “You’re working for the witch on Haunted Cliffs? Aren’t you a local?”

“I was born here, not like some.” Meg sipped her drink. She knew Nate must be one of those newcomers that Dalton had warned her about.

“Meg,” Dalton warned as he put his hand on her shoulder. His voice was low and commanding. She was poking the bear, and he didn’t like it.

“Well, you should know better, then. Rich people come here, build big houses, then tell us where we can go. It’s not fair.

I can’t even use my favorite deer-hunting tree stand anymore.

It’s on private property. What about us?

Where’s our private property?” Nate swayed as he took another drink, finishing off the whiskey bottle he held.

He threw it toward the fire but missed and almost hit another guy.

“Nate, you need to slow down.” Dalton stepped in between him and Meg’s chair.

From the other side, Meg could hear Watson growling. She looked over and saw Natasha had him on a short leash, keeping him out of the fight.

Nate leaned around Dalton. “Mark my words, you’re going to be sorry you’re fraternizing with the enemy. All they want is to take over our homes.”

A male voice called from the fire, “Nate, leave Meg alone before Dalton flattens you and I have to drag your sorry butt into the boat and back home.”

Nate waved his hand at the advice giver, then leered at Meg. “You’re kind of cute. You should come over and sit with me. I’d teach you the ways of the island.”

“Violet’s waiting for you. Besides, Meg’s already taken.

” Dalton took Nate by the shoulders and aimed him toward the fire and his waiting friends.

Then he watched as Nate stumbled toward the fire.

When Nate fell next to a woman, Dalton sat down again.

“Sorry about claiming you. I know this isn’t a date.

I needed to put it in words that Neanderthal would understand.

Your mom called this afternoon, after I left the bookstore, and read me the riot act about my intentions and your fragile state.

Is it true she thinks Romain will come crawling back? ”

Meg felt her shoulders relax as she leaned back in the chair. She hadn’t minded Dalton’s words and was glad Nate had left. “My mom called you?”

“She did. She’s worried about you jumping into something before you have time to think.” He held his hand up, warding her off as she sat straighter. “Her words, not mine. Don’t kill the messenger.”

“I’m going to kill my mother. Isn’t matricide legal if there are extenuating circumstances? Like driving a daughter crazy.” Meg took a long drink as she leaned back in her chair. “There’s no chance Romain’s coming back, and if he did show up, I won’t be going back. He had his chance with all this.”

Watching Meg run her hands up and down her body to show off what a catch she was sent Natasha into giggles. “Yeah, you go, girl. Who needs a man, anyway?”

If she’d asked Meg that question a month ago, she would have raised her hand. Maybe both hands. Today she was a stronger, more independent Meg. And she was going to stay that way.

Dalton was quiet as he guided the boat back to the marina two hours later. After he docked and tied the boat to the moorings, he held out a hand to help her up on the dock. Instead, she handed him Watson. The dog had slept all the ride back.

“He’s tired. I think the upheaval has been a little too much for him. He never bonded with Romain, but I thought with time he would grow on him. Except it’s clear Watson likes people here a lot more than he ever liked Romain.”

“That’s saying something, right?” Dalton took the dog and set him on the dock, holding Watson’s leash in his hand. Then he reached out to help Meg up onto the dock. “Except Nate. Watson didn’t like him at all.”

“He seems like a blowhard.” Meg took the leash, and they strolled toward the marina exit. The water gently slapped against the rocks. “Nate hates Lilly Aster.”

“He hates a lot of people. Don’t let him get in your head. He likes stirring up trouble, but he’s harmless.”

“If you say so. His girlfriend wasn’t happy with what he said to me. What’s her name? Violet?”