She turned onto a narrow track that led toward the garage. She moved carefully, dodging a stack of rotting firewood, a grown woman who’d lost her mind. She peeked around the corner of the garage just as Max emerged from her car. Her short red hair was as rumpled as her olive cargo shorts and ill-fitting tan blouse. Temple shot out of the woods and then froze, every insecurity that lurked behind her Evil Queen’s bluster written on her face. “Max …” The word sounded like a prayer. “Max, I love you.”

Max stayed where she was, her unyielding expression testifying she was just as strong-minded as her lover. “Enough to stop hiding? Or are all those messages you’ve been leaving for me crap?”

“Not crap. I do love you.”

“Enough to go out in public with me?”

Temple nodded.

“Enough to get married?” Max said stubbornly. “And throw a big party? And invite everybody we know?”

Lucy saw Temple’s throat work as she swallowed. “That much,” she whispered.

But Max wasn’t done with her. She made a brusque gesture toward her stocky figure. “I’m not making myself over for you. What you see is what you get, chub and all.”

“I love what I see. I love you.”

Max twisted one of the silver rings on her fingers. “This could destroy your career.”

“I don’t care.”

“You do care,” Max said, but she softened as she saw the tears glistening in Temple’s eyes.

“Not as much as I care about you,” Temple replied.

Max finally melted, and they were in each other’s arms.

Watching two women exchange such a passionate kiss was a little icky but also completely satisfying. Lucy backed away to give them privacy.

Chapter Twenty-three

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A man walking with a dog, Lucy had the beach to herself. Smaller and less accessible than the south beach, this spot on the west side of the island was mainly used by the locals, but even though it was Saturday, a thickly overcast sky had kept all but a few away. She’d settled in a sheltered spot at the base of a sand dune, her chin resting on her bent knees. Max had arrived two days earlier, and she and Temple had left yesterday afternoon. This morning, Kristi had taken off. Lucy was going to miss them. Maybe that accounted for her melancholy mood. She was making steady progress with her writing, so she had no reason to feel depressed about her work. By mid-September, she should finally be able to leave the island.

She sensed someone approaching. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Panda walking toward her. Toby must have told him where she was.