She turned away with a sigh, taking the shelter of her umbrella with her. “Don’t you start in on me too. Maggie asks me daily how I could possibly have enough work to keep me at the office so late every evening.”

“It’s a valid question.”

“Why there’s unidentified footprints in our front yard is a valid question.”

Neil peeled off his jacket and held it over his head. “Lil—”

“Whatever in the world are you two doing out in the rain?”

Maggie’s voice beckoned from the open front door. One glance from Lilian was enough to know she had the same thought he did—no need to concern Maggie with questions about footprints and strange vehicles. Both of which were probably nothing anyway, right?

“Just heading in to town. I’ve got that Heritage Society meeting,” Lilian called. “Waiting on—”

“I’m here.” Indi burst past Maggie and down the porch steps. “I’m ready.” She tugged the hood of her bright yellow raincoat over her hair. “No one forget about tonight.”

Right. It was “meet the fiancé” night. He still couldn’t quite wrap his mind around the fact that his little sister was getting married to a guy he’d never met. Bennington. The man would probably show up in tails and a bowtie.

“Wait.” Maggie stepped onto the porch. “Take Sydney with you. She hasn’t seen Muir Harbor yet.”

Sydney must be just inside the house, her muffled voice barely reaching through the rain. Arguing, probably. Not wanting to put his sisters out. Lilian obviously wasn’t all that keen on the idea of taking Sydney along. Indi only shrugged as she reached them. “What are you two doing out here?”

Lilian motioned toward the footprints. “Trying to solve a mystery.”

“Isn’t that Wilder’s territory?”

Neil’s focus slid back to the porch, where Maggie had coaxed Sydney out. She stood facing Maggie, red hair hanging loose and wavy this morning. He spoke even as he continued taking in her muted conversation with Maggie. “You should take her along to the meeting, guys. Give her a taste of the real Muir Harbor.”

“You sure warmed up to her quickly.”

His gaze snapped back to Lilian. “Just doing what Maggie asked. Anyway, doesn’t hurt to be friendly.” He didn’t like the way Lilian was studying him now, almost as suspiciously as she had those footprints. Which meant this was probably a good time to take his leave. “See ya.”

But instead of rounding the house and heading for the barn, he dodged raindrops as he jogged to the porch and up the steps, bending to kiss Maggie’s cheek as soon as he reached her. “Morning.” He swiped the back of his hand over his damp cheeks before sliding a glance to Sydney. “Hey. Uh, they’ll wait for you if you’re not quite ready.”

Though she looked ready to him—no hilarious robe or rain boots today, not even his bulky coat. Just a simple green sweater and jeans and tiny gold earrings, visible when she tucked her hair behind both ears, not quite meeting his eyes.