“You’ll miss the sunset if you leave now. It’s quite a view from here.” She sank back in her seat and motioned toward the western sky, where the golden orb was dipping toward the horizon through the trees on the headland. “I don’t have time to enjoy it often, but it’s always a treat. God was definitely watching out for me the night I stumbled onto this place in the fog.”

“And almost got cited for trespassing.”

A dimple appeared in her cheek. “But a certain police officer took pity on me.”

“I wasn’t the only one. How did you convince the owner of this place to give it to you rent-free, anyway?” There had to be more background to the arrangement than she’d shared.

“Like I said weeks ago, I didn’t initiate the rental. The offer came out of the blue.”

She was sticking with her story. And unless he was misreading her, it was the truth.

“Have you had any contact with the owner since you moved in?”

“No.”

“Strange.”

She cocked her head. “I agree—but I’m sensing there’s a deeper meaning to that comment.”

Her people-reading skills were formidable.

Why not tell her the truth about his interest? It wasn’t as if she was in a position to buy the place if it ever came on the market.

“I tried to rent the cottage myself. More than once. I also tried to buy it. No go.”

“Do you know who owns it?”

“No. The person’s identity is shrouded in layers of secrecy.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “If the owner was concerned about security, as the management company claimed, why would he or she offer it to me instead of a cop?”

Bingo.

“I don’t have that answer.”

“The plot thickens—but we’ll have to solve that mystery another day. The bonding session appears to be over.” Christi nodded toward the lawn as Harpo flapped his wings and took off, leaving Hannah to watch as he soared toward the sunset. A few seconds later, his daughter trotted toward them.

Once she joined them, the electricity subsided to a manageable thrum, so he stayed for the sunset. But after the glowing sphere dipped below the horizon, there was no excuse to linger—especially after Hannah let loose with a huge yawn.

“Someone’s getting tired.” He picked up the mug he’d set on the deck beside his chair.

“No, I’m not.” She regarded him from her seat on the steps.

“Well, I am.” He stood.

His daughter sighed. “I don’t want to go. I like it here.”

Better than at your apartment.

She didn’t have to say the words for the message to come through loud and clear.

“You’ll be back Monday. And you’ll see Christi tomorrow. We have to go to a meeting for a project she’s in charge of.”

“The festival?”

He looked at Christi.