Page 43 of Only for the Season

“Don’t be silly. Two krakens can’t live this close together.”

“Pardon me. My knowledge of krakens isn’t what it should be.”

She bounces on her toes. “Good thing I’m here to set you straight.”

“Hold on. You said mascots.”

“Yep. Every town on Smuggler’s Hideaway has a live mascot.”

“You weren’t kidding.”

She frowns. “There is no joking about live mascots.”

“Of course. My mistake. But, out of curiosity, what are the other mascots?”

I’ll never admit it out loud, but I’m fascinated by Smuggler’s Hideaway. Or maybe I am merely fascinated with this woman who lights up whenever she discusses her hometown.

“There’s Rogue, the marshmallow-addicted raccoon. He’s the mascot for Rogue’s Landing. And the mascot for Pirate’s Perch is Plank the dirty-mouthed parrot.”

I snort. “I should have known there’d be a parrot.”

“Plank is a rascal. No one’s managed to steal him in years.”

I must have misheard. “Steal him?”

“Yep. It’s a Smuggler’s Hideaway tradition to steal the mascot from another town during the summer.”

“People try to steal Viking from you?”

She growls. “They can try. I’ll beat them with my rolling pin before giving their body to the kraken.”

She’s adorable when she goes into mother bear mode. I bet she’d make a great mom. She wouldn’t turn on her child. She’d be more likely to attack anyone who threatened her precious baby.

My gaze drops to her stomach. She’d be gorgeous with a pregnant belly. I bet she’d glow while pregnant.

My head rears back. What is wrong with me? Pregnant belly? I don’t do relationships. Why the hell am I fantasizing about Parker being pregnant?

Parker grasps my forearm. “What’s wrong? You look like you saw a ghost.” She scans the area. “I hope it wasn’t Margaret Hale. She’s supposed to stick to Smuggler’s Grotto.” She shivers.

“Who is Margaret Hale?”

“She was the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. She was in love with the pirate Black Jack, but when her father discovered their secret affair, he arranged for her to marry someone else. On the night of her wedding, Black Jack kidnapped her, intending to escape the island by boat. But a violent storm rolled in, trapping them inside the grotto. And now Margaret’s ghost wanders the grotto.”

“What happens if she leaves the grotto?”

“I don’t know. She’s never escaped before.”

“I didn’t see a ghost, so I think we’re safe.”

“Phew. What are you doing outside anyway?”

“Searching for coffee.”

Parker giggles. “I should have known. The workaholic needs his coffee.” She motions toward the bakery. “Come on. I’ll make you a cup.”

We walk a few steps before she screeches to a halt.

“What’s wrong? Did you see a ghost?” Words I never thought I’d ask before.