"Are you going to join us down at the dig site later?" Owen asked, looking directly back at her. A sudden flash of intense emotion moved through his eyes, but the motion was so rapid she convinced herself she had merely imagined it.
"Yes," Isabel said, adjusting the strap of her bag. "I just need to find Linda first."
"Oh, we just saw her a few minutes ago," Emma offered, handing the documents back to Owen.
"Yes, she's gone out to Penny's house," Sophia told her.
"She literally just left the building," Lily added, pointing toward the front door. "If you hurry, you might still catch her vehicle in the car park."
Isabel nodded quickly, a wave of relief washing over her. That was brilliant. If she went to Penny's estate, her friend could help her navigate the difficult conversation with Linda, and perhaps Penny had some inkling of where on earth Darius had disappeared to. She had even tried calling his corporate office in Miami earlier, but the receptionist had confirmed he had not returned there either. She looked back at Owen, offering a polite nod.
"I'll just drive out to Penny's then. I have to speak to both of them anyway." Isabel gave a quick smile.
"Oh..." Owen said, a brief flicker of clear disappointment darkening his features before he could mask it.
"But I shouldn't be too long, and I'm genuinely looking forward to getting back and helping you here at the pool site," Isabel assured him, her voice softening.
He gave her a breathtaking smile that made her toes curl, and her stomach tie itself into a nervous knot.
"Great, I'll see you then," Owen told her, his posture relaxing as he gathered the three tweens. "Come on, girls. Let's go get stuck into the grid alignment."
"Bye, Gran," Emma said, leaning up to press a quick kiss against her cheek. She leaned in a fraction closer, her voice dropping into a cheeky whisper. "I really like Dr. Reed. But for future reference, next time try to stay in his arms and avoid the pot plants." She gave a mischievous grin that made Isabel's cheeks burn with a fresh wave of heat.
"Bye, Isabel," the other two girls called out, waving as they stepped toward the rear exit doors. Their sly grins matched her granddaughter's perfectly, and they gave her a coveted thumbs-up sign before pointing directly toward Owen's back when he wasn't looking.
Isabel stood gaping at the three incredibly intelligent and observant tweens, feeling so thoroughly embarrassed that she wished a massive sinkhole would open right beneath her feet. She spun around quickly to head for the exit and nearly slammed straight into the massive potted plant a second time. She caught her balance at the last second, sidestepping the glazed ceramic container with a clumsy jerk. Owen was already heading through the corridor doors, but the girls caught the entire awkward display and rolled their eyes in unison.
"Stupid freaking pot plant," Isabel muttered beneath her breath, smoothing her shirt down as she bolted through the front doors toward her hired car. She climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and made the ten-minute drive out toward the lighthouse district where Penny's new estate was located.
She pulled up to the heavy iron security gates of the historic Mediterranean property a short while later and pressed the small button on the silver intercom box.
A few moments passed before static hissed, and Penny's voice filtered through the speaker. "Hello. This is a nice surprise. Please tell me you're here to help move some of these heavy contractor crates."
"I'm here to help for a bit," Isabel said into the intercom grid, leaning close to the metal panel. "But it's going to cost you."
"I don't have my checkbook anywhere near me," Penny stated, her tone flat, but Isabel knew her friend understood the exact nature of the transaction.
"This is going to cost you your moral checkbook," Isabel told her firmly.
"Will you believe me if I told you I left it back at the hotel?" Penny asked, and Isabel could easily picture the exaggerated, defensive face her friend was pulling on the other side of the stone wall.
"Nice try," Isabel told her, a small smile breaking through her anxiety. "Now are you going to let me in?"
"Sure," Penny said, letting out a loud, dramatic sigh that rattled the speaker. "I'll pull out the moral checkbook so long."
The heavy iron gates swung open with a low, mechanical groan. Isabel pulled her hired car through the entrance and drove up the winding gravel driveway toward the beautiful old house. She parked, stepped out into the warm morning air, and paused to admire the Mediterranean Revival structure once again. It really had a way of pulling a person in with its historic charm, arched windows, and faded stucco that felt deeply grounded in the island's history.
Penny was already standing at the wide front door, holding two mugs of steaming coffee.
"I installed my espresso machine," she called out, a proud gleam in her eyes.
"Awesome," Isabel said, reaching out to take the warm ceramic cup as she stepped past the threshold into the grand foyer. She looked around at the open spaces, noting the clean lines and the progress on the interior. "I see you've been busy."
"I have," Penny admitted, a broad smile lighting up her features.
"You're really enjoying this," Isabel noted, watching her friend track the architectural curves of the ceiling layout.
"It's been a while since I refurbished a house," Penny said, her tone going a bit wistful as she leaned against the doorframe. "I really do think fate led us here this summer."
