“Like Dr. Carstairs?”
“Surely you’ve wondered how a rinky dink town like ours could land a nationally respected medical guy like Carstairs.”
“You don’t think his coming here had anything to do with the climate, the beaches, the friendly people, the desire to do something simple but meaningful?”
“You tell me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re a six billion dollar caretaker and part-time cook. Your girlfriend’s a twenty-five million dollar waitress. You telling me you folks always had a desire to do something simple but meaningful before you visited our little town?”
“So you think Libby Vail summoned us?”
“Nope.”
“Then what?”
“She summoned you.”
“What, Beth couldn’t find her own cook and caretaker locally?”
Percy laughed. “He just don’t get it, does he?”
“Get what?” I said.
“Libby summoned you for Beth.”
“You mean—”
“You’re going to marry Beth.”
I laughed. “You’re insane!”
“Maybe.”
“I’m with Rachel.”
“Uh huh.”
“Beth and I haven’t exchanged fifty words together.”
“Not yet.”
“Well, if she’s got a thing for me, why hasn’t she said so?”
“Wouldn’t be proper, long as you’ve got a girlfriend.”
“This whole thing is crazy. I’m not even attracted to Beth in that way.”
“Libby won’t let you feel it till the time is right.”
“So you’re saying that the reason Beth’s good fortune lagged behind the town’s is that she was waiting on me to show up?”
“She probably didn’t know it was you at first, but when you agreed to take care of the B&B she probably figured it out.”
“So Libby’s not only got the power to ease people’s pain, she’s also a matchmaker?”
“Ain’t it the same thing?”
Chapter 27
THE SHERIFF CALLED Beth and told her I knew all about Libby. I couldn’t hear her part of the conversation, but his included “It’s not your fault,” and “No, it’s okay,” and “I don’t see that we have any other choice but to trust him,” and “If you don’t mind, I’d like you to take him,” and “right.”
When he hung up I asked him what that was all about.
“Beth is going to take you to see Libby, so you can see for yourself that everything’s okay.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“What about Rachel?”
“We’d prefer to keep a lid on this, as long as Libby’s willing to stay in town.”
“I’ve mentioned my theories to Rachel.”
“She believe you?”
“She thinks I’m nuts.”
“Well then, it’s your call, but if Rachel doesn’t need to know...”
I saw where this was going.
“You’re hoping I’ll see Libby, realize she’s here of her own free will, put the whole thing behind me and keep my mouth shut.”
“I’m counting on it.”
“And if I don’t?”
