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The next day…
Iwalk out of the inn and spot my stepbrother, Fisher, and his girlfriend, Allie, with their twins.
“Hey, you two,” I say, peeking into the stroller. “Laurie doesn’t miss a thing, does she?” I poke her little belly.
“We’re getting family photos done,” Allie tells me.
I nod, because Fisher was already at my mom’s and Hank’s house while Allie was getting her hair done. News travels fast in our family. But I won’t give away what I already know, and that’s that Fisher picked up his mom’s ring. After their mom passed away, each of the Greenes on Hank’s side were given the opportunity to pick a piece of jewelry from their mom’s collection to give to the woman they marry. As for Chevelle, I’m not sure how it worked for her.
“Perfect time of the day.” I look over the bay where the sun is peeking behind the clouds but still visible.
“Is that the photographer?” Fisher points ahead of us. He stops walking and stares at Allie. “Tell me it isn’t him.”
I follow his line of sight and blink. “You’re having Noah take your pictures?”
“You know him? He was taking some pictures of the bay and the mountains yesterday when I came down here for some peace and quiet during my lunch shift.”
“Did he hit on you?” Fisher asks. “I know you like facial hair.”
Allie puts her arm around Fisher and pats his chest. “Relax, big guy.” Then she looks at me. “We started to talk, and he showed me some of the pictures on his camera and I asked if he did family photos.”
“And he said yes?” The question shouldn’t sound so accusatory, but I had no idea he took family photos. A small bud of jealousy seems to be planted inside me.
Fisher’s face twists. “I don’t like this. He was hitting on you. I think he needs to know you belong to the sheriff.”
“You guys, it’s just family photos. I think he might work for National—”
“Geographic,” I finish, not making eye contact with Allie.
“Yes!” Allie points as if we’re playing a trivia game.
“Let’s just get this over with. If he flirts or side-eyes you even once, it’s on, Allie,” Fisher grumbles and pushes the stroller down the pathway.
“I’ll join you guys,” I say without thinking how weird it might seem. “In case you need help getting the twins to cooperate.”
“Thanks,” Allie says, but I’m not looking at her. My eyes are on Noah squatting, taking pictures of the bay.
“I can’t believe this. I thought it’d be a woman,” Fisher grumbles. “Or some nerdy guy with glasses.”
“Okay, Fisher, tone it down.”
Noah spots us and his steady gaze stays on me. He’s probably wondering why I’m here.
“Hi, Noah.” Allie steps forward to shake his hand, and Fisher comes right up next to her. “This is Fisher.”
“Her boyfriend. Father of her children.” He puts out his big, meaty hand and Allie gives Noah an apologetic look.
They shake hands as Noah says, “Hey, nice to meet you. You’ll have to bear with me, I’ve never photographed children before.”
Fisher looks at Allie, but she ignores the heat of his stare on the side of her face.
“Hey, Mandi.” Noah turns to me with a smile. He waves his finger between the three of us. “How do you guys know each other?”
“Fisher is my stepbrother.” I nod in his direction.
“Small towns. Gotta love them, right? I come from one myself,” Noah says.
Consider my interest piqued.
