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.

So maybe he wasn’t the only one not entirely sure what to make of last night. There’s nothing to make of it. Why was he making this weird? “I’ve only ever let them drag me to one Heritage Society meeting in the past. Not really my thing. Though it is technically the closest thing we’ve got to real entertainment in Muir Harbor—well, other than the seasonal markets. There’s four of those each year. The autumn one’s this coming weekend. We actually get tourists for those.”

Great, now he was rambling.

But she only smiled. Turned to Maggie. “You won’t feel like I’m ditching you if I go?”

“Of course not, dear. I’m the one who suggested it. Anyway, I’ve got a feast to prepare for Indi’s fiancé tonight.”

“I could stay and help.”

Maggie shook her head. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Neil’s not lying. Those meetings can get downright zany. You need to go.”

He knew even before he said the words, they were pointless. But they slipped out anyway. “You could go too, Maggie. It’s been a long time. I’m sure everyone misses you.”

Just as he knew she would, she shook her head again. Waved a hand. Pasted on a nonchalance he wasn’t at all sure she really felt. Why, Maggie? She used to love town events. Used to be so involved in everything that happened in Muir Harbor. But there wasn’t any use in arguing.

He felt Sydney’s eyes on him then, slid his gaze to her once more, could tell she hadn’t missed the change in the air around them. He did his best to cover Maggie’s unease with a small smile. “Well, have fun in town. That is, unless you’d rather stay here and come hang out in the barn with me and Melba.”

She grimaced. “No thanks.”