If Christi, as a brand-new resident, was willing to spearhead a project to help the town, shouldn’t he at least agree to play a minor role? Even if that meant he had to step outside his comfort zone? Pump up his self-confidence? Pretend he knew more than he did?

You know the answer, Colby.

Yeah, he did. Unfortunately.

He squirmed as the distant, doleful blare of the foghorn in town wafted through the air, suggesting visibility-reducing fog had rolled in and obscured the safe harbor.

Maybe he ought to reconsider. After all, there was no guarantee anyone would want to hear what he had to say. Perhaps only a handful of people would sign up for his session. If that was the case—and he fell flat on his face—there would be few witnesses.

In addition, beyond doing his part—however small—to help the town, there was another upside to volunteering. It would appease the publicity folks at his publishing house who were always after him to raise his profile and make public appearances.

He squeezed his mug as his resolve to stay the course began to slip. “Your altruism is giving me a major guilt trip.”

“That wasn’t my intent.”

“Nevertheless, it worked. I’ll take you up on your offer with Hannah, and . . .” He gritted his teeth. Just do it, man. “And you can sign me up for a slot.”

Sparks of excitement lit up her blue irises. “Seriously?”

“Yes—but don’t expect an overwhelming response.” Best to dampen expectations—for both their sakes. “Hope Harbor is off the beaten path, and I doubt there are many people in the area who’ve read my book.”

“You may be surprised. With the roster of talent we have, I’m hopeful we’ll attract people from all over the state—and beyond. Plus a ton of media, if the publicity Marci has planned does its job.”

That did not add to his comfort level.

“So what do I have to do in the immediate future?”

“Come to the kickoff meeting tomorrow, if you can. It’s at four o’clock at Grace Christian.”

“I’d have to bring Hannah.”

“No problem. The more the merrier.”

Merry was pushing it. His daughter would no doubt be bored—and he’d be battling second thoughts.

“You’re not going to bail on me already, are you?” She squinted at him.

Weird how she could read his mind.

“I said I’d do it—and I keep my promises.”

The tension around her eyes relaxed. “I know that. You were always a man of honor.”

As their gazes connected—and held—electricity began arcing between them.

An alert started beeping in his mind.

He had to get out of here. Now.

Straightening up in his chair, he twisted his wrist and scanned his watch. “We should be going.”