“Dad was able to score three full days off next week—Tuesday through Thursday. We were thinking of flying up Monday afternoon and leaving on Thursday. Would that be okay?”

Guilt flooded through her, because her very first thought was three days with no Alex. “Of course,” she said to her mother. “That’s absolutely fine.”

“I looked on a map and I saw that the McCarthy’s hotel is fairly close to the lighthouse, so I booked a room there hoping you’d say yes to a visit.”

“You can stay here.”

“That’s very sweet of you, but we’ll be very happy at the hotel, and you won’t have us around your neck the whole time. I’m sure you’ve got your own things to do.”

Images of what she’d done with Alex in the garden chose that moment to pass through her mind like an erotic movie. Jenny cleared her throat. “A few things here and there.”

“So we’ll be on the eight p.m. ferry on Monday. Should I try to get the rental car on the boat?”

“No need. I’ll pick you up at the ferry, and you can use my car while you’re here.”

“I can’t wait to see you and your lighthouse and meet your friends.”

“I can’t wait either. I’m really glad you’re coming, Mom.”

“So are we. See you soon, hon.”

Jenny tucked the phone in her purse, grabbed her keys and headed out to check in with Paul Martinez, who was working at the retail store today. She wished she’d asked Alex what his brother knew about the two of them, but she hesitated to interrupt his work again with a phone call.

“I guess I’ll find out soon enough,” she said as she drove down the long driveway from the lighthouse to the road. A short time later, she pulled onto the grounds of Martinez Lawn & Garden and realized she was strangely nervous about meeting with Alex’s brother. “You’re offering to help him. What do you have to be nervous about?”

Not knowing if Alex had told his brother that he was seeing her fueled her anxiety as she grabbed her purse and headed inside. Paul was at the counter, huddled around a computer terminal with Adam McCarthy.

Both men looked up at her as she came in the door.

“Hey, Jenny,” Adam said.

“Hi, Adam.” She shifted her gaze to Paul, who was every bit as handsome as his brother. “Paul.”

“Hi, Jenny. Good to see you again. Thanks for the offer of help.”

“Sure. Happy to do whatever I can.”

“It all depends on Adam, the computer magician. Sharon’s parting shot was to password-protect the system, and naturally we can’t reach her to find out what it is.”

Incensed on his behalf, Jenny said, “Have you reported that to Blaine?”