Page 13 (2/2)

“That’s me” She put on a thin smile

“Big job sorting it out, I expect Especially seeing as how it’s been e” The woman patted Abby’s hand—as it with all the physical touching around here anyway? “You should head over to Breezes someday for breakfast,” Tanya chattered on “The old-timers over there will fill your ears about how that house is full of ghosts” She departed with a friendly smile

Abby picked up her purse and sighed Ghosts? She shook her head Just one ht now

CHAPTER 5

Abby took Tanya’s advice and headed over to Breezes Café at nine the nextout breakfast and a Wi-Fi connection to do soh the s, casting a cheery glow on the patrons A local radio station played in the background More than one person entered and was offered a wave and was called by na for Jewell Cove Headquarters, it appeared the café was it

Once she’d ordered a bowl of oatmeal and a coffee, she booted up her netbook and opened her browser With a sinking heart she realized Toht She ate rather absently as she went through the list of contractors in the area and the reviews for each one At least on paper, he was the best around Only one other coave them a quick call to see if they could provide her with a quote, she was told that they could maybe slot her in around October

To, he knew it It was either hire him or sell it to him

She was browsing through To at refurbishment pictures, when someone cleared their throat beside her table “Excuse me, Miss Foster?”

The h complexion that spoke of years spent in the wind and sun His thinning hair was an interesting blend of gray and blond—what she thought ht have been quite attractive at one point but had since been salt-bleached by the sea

“I’ail Foster” She held out her hand

He shook it and his palh “Luke Pratt I’m the mayor of Jewell Cove”

This man was thevessel

“Won’t you sit down?” she offered, pushing her nearly empty bowl aside

“Thanks” He slid into the booth across fro our town?”

She gave the only answer possible “It’s lovely Small and friendly Everyone seems to knoho I am already” It was a bit of a backhanded compliment, she admitted to herself A little anonymity would have been nice But Pratt only smiled widely at her