“So, I got you a powerboat. She said something about a center console.” Robin wasn’t sure what she was saying but just threw out some boating terms, hoping to buy time. “Do you know what kind of boat that is? Can you drive it? I hope it has gas in it for you.” What else could she ramble about to stall? How long would it take Jay to get here?
“You’re going to go with me.” Freddy waggled his knife. “But the dog stays here.”
“You don’t need me.”
“Yes, and you’ll sweet talk them at the marina, too. The stupid sheriff has someone watching my boat, and watching the ferry, and I haven’t been able to get away. But now, this will work. I’ll hit the mainland and get out of this area. They’ll never find me.”
“You could just take the boat after you get it. You don’t need me.”
“I think it would be better if you stay with me until I know I’m safely away. That way you can’t pull any tricks.”
Unless, of course, they show up to the marina and no one knows anything about her calling for a boat…
She stalled some more. “I should lock Barney up in a room so he doesn’t cause any trouble.”
“Is that a closet?” He pointed to the closet in the corner.
She nodded.
“Put him in there.”
“I can’t put him in a closet.”
He took a step forward. “Oh, yes, you can.”
She walked over to the closet and opened the door. “Come on, Barney.” She tried to coax the dog.
He was having none of it. He stood where he was, his back taut, on alert, eyeing Freddy.
“Barney, come here.”
“Get that dog locked up. Now.”
“Barney, please.” She pleaded with the dog, afraid of what Freddy might do.
Freddy took a step inside. “I’ll deal with him.”
“No, don’t.” She stepped away from the closet but saw a shadow cross her front window. “I’ve got him.” She moved closer to Barney, trying to keep Freddy’s attention on her.
She reached the dog and scooped him up right when Jay came crashing into the bungalow.
“What the—” Freddy whirled around but didn’t have a chance.
Jay tackled him in one fell swoop, pinning him to the floor. The knife went ricocheting across the floor. Freddy wrestled beneath Jay’s weight but couldn’t get loose.
She heard a siren in the distance, coming closer.
“Robs, go outside. It’s the sheriff.”
She crossed to the doorway, keeping her eye on Jay and the still-struggling Freddy. “Sheriff, over here.”
Sheriff Dave rushed inside. “So, Jay. I see you did my work for me.” The sheriff leaned over and handcuffed Freddy, then motioned for Jay to get up. “I know enough to apologize when I’m wrong about someone. And I was wrong about you.”
Jay just nodded, then turned and walked over to her, pulling her into his arms. “You okay?” he whispered into her ear.
“I am now.”
The sheriff took Freddy away and Jay turned to her. “What were you thinking coming here alone? I thought we agreed you’d stick close to me?”
“I just wanted to get a few things. It was broad daylight. I didn’t think…”
He tilted her head up and he looked right into her eyes. “When you called. When I finally figured out you were in trouble and Freddy was here? I just about had a heart attack. Don’t ever do that to me again. Promise me.” He pulled her back into his arms and held her.
“I’m just glad you figured out what I was saying.”
He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “That’s one thing about us, Robs. We can communicate with each other without saying the words.” He stepped back for a moment. “But I want to get these words right. Say the right ones. When I thought he might take you away, that you might get hurt… that… I might lose you… Well, that can’t happen. I need you. I love you.”
She smiled at him. “And I love you, too.”
He dropped to one knee and her mouth flew open wide.
“So, will you marry me, Robs? I want to spend every single day with you. The rest of our lives. I don’t ever want to be apart.”
“I—” Tears sprang to her eyes and she dropped down to the floor facing him. “Yes. I’d love to marry you.”
“All right!” He jumped up, pulling her with him, and swirled her around the room in a dance. “You’ve made me the happiest man ever.”
She laughed in joy. He finally put her down and gently wiped away her tears.
“Just you, me, Barney, and Sunny. A perfect family.” She smiled, unable to contain her joy.
“So, one other thing.” He cocked his head to the side and gave that infectious grin. The one she could never say no to.
“Can we get married soon?”
“Yes, we can have a simple ceremony on the beach.”
He sighed. “I wish we could just run off and get married.”
“Why can’t we?”
His mouth curled into a lazy grin. “Because Charlotte, Sara, and Lillian would kill us.”
“Then let’s invite them. And just a handful of people. Simple ceremony on the beach. Nothing fancy. I just want to be your wife. I feel like we’ve waited forever for this.”
“When?” He looked at her doubtfully.
“Next weekend?” She grinned.
“Are you sure?”
“Never been so certain. Now that we’ve finally figured out we’re in love, we should really do something about it.”
“We should.” He grinned back, then let out a whoop. “I’m marrying Robin Baker. Next week.” He swung her around in a circle. “Or two weeks if we have to wait that long. I’m all generous like that.”
Chapter 30
Zoe walked into Charming Inn and over to Lillian, standing at the reception desk. “Hey, Lillian. I got a message you wanted to see me?”
Lillian looked at her, a confused expression on her face. “What?”
“Uncle Noah said you
