“Oh, that reminds me, Ken’s been on the phone again. He wants you to call in and see him about some work for next week. We could drop in at the school on the way to the Haystack Block, if you like.”

Keely’s stomach lurched and she hurried ahead of Flynn so he wouldn’t see the dread she knew was written all over her face. “I’ve got something to do in the studio. I’ll come up to the house in a minute.”

Keely didn’t look behind to see if he’d gone. She rushed into the studio and shut the door behind her. She could just say no but there was no need; next week, she would make sure she was heading north, away from Margaret River.

* * *

Maggie was washing the breakfast dishes when Flynn returned.

“Isn’t Keely coming?” she asked.

“In a moment. She had something to do in the studio first.”

“I hope she likes the labels,” Maggie said. “Sometimes artists can be temperamental about their work.”

“Keely’s never temperamental.” Flynn thought back over the conversation he’d just had with her. She’d looked surprised to see him and then she’d been flippant about her whereabouts. As if he had no right to ask, which he supposed he didn’t, but…

“Is something wrong?” Maggie asked.

“No. Why?”

“You’re frowning.” She reached across the breakfast bar and ran a wet gloved finger along his forehead. “You look so serious. Do you know how much more handsome you are when you smile?”

He rubbed his damp skin and grinned at her.

“That’s better.” Maggie turned back to her dishes. “I bet Keely can’t resist that smile.”

“Maggie, don’t cause trouble. Euan brought Keely here, not me.”

She made a soft humph. “Euan was just being kind. She’s much too young for him and besides, he’s got his hands full elsewhere.”

“Don’t you go matchmaking for me again,” Flynn warned. “Anyway, Keely’s got other friends. I don’t really think she likes me that much.”

“What gives you that idea?” Maggie looked over her shoulder with an odd smile, her eyebrows arching delicately.

“Just a hunch.” Flynn headed for the office. He could tell Maggie was in a meddlesome mood. “I’ve had a bit of experience with women over the years, Maggie, at least enough to know whether they like me or not.”

This time it was a loud snort that came from behind him.