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“Wait, let me guess,” Connor said, shaking hands with Logan before the man’s attention shifted back to them. After a second of pondering, he waggled a finger in the air toward Dara.
“Dara, right? Which makes you Devon?”
They both nodded and shook hands with him.
“Your mother described you perfectly. Though I probably wouldn’t have guessed correctly had you not been wearing boots at the beach,” he said to Dara, amusement lighting his eyes.
Dara had always had a distinctive style. Combat boots paired with camo shorts and a black skull and crossbones T-shirt completed today’s ensemble, whereas Devon wore a knee-length gray romper over a sleeveless dove-gray blouse and low sandals.
“Come on inside,” Connor said, stepping back and swinging the door wide.
Dara glanced at Devon before stepping forward and leading the charge.
“Where’s our mother?”
“Rayna’s resting in one of the guest rooms. I don’t think she slept all night, so maybe you shouldn’t wake her just yet. I was just fixing some lunch. I hope you’ll join me?”
The four of them exchanged glances before following the man through the large entry, past several rooms, and on into the kitchen.
“How did you meet our mother?” Dara asked the man.
He nodded and waved toward the wall of windows. Devon noted he liked to talk with his hands.
“Saw her down on the beach this morning. I’d heard the report about a missing woman but certainly didn’t expect to stumble upon her.”
“So you didn’t know each other before this morning?” Devon asked, trying to keep the suspicion from her voice but having a hard time.
“No. Rayna told me about your daddy’s death. I’m sorry about that,” he said. “Awful thing to have to go through on top of everything else.”
“Thank you,” Dara and Devon said in unison.
“Have a seat,” he said, extending an arm toward the living area. “Can I get anyone a drink? I’ve got cold water, sodas, some juices. Heavier stuff if it’s not too early for you.”
It seemed odd to be standing in a stranger’s house politely chatting about her mother, and Devon looked at Logan for backup. “You should go check on her.”
Logan glanced at the man and Devon watched the exchange.
“I’m a doctor,” Logan said to Connor. “If you don’t mind, I would like to see my aunt. I’ll do my best not to wake her.”
The man lifted his hand and pointed toward an open area in the distance.
“Of course. Straight through there. First door on the left. I heard some noise after she went inside though, like she blocked the door with a chair.”
“And that didn’t concern you?” Devon asked.
“A woman alone in a stranger’s house? Not really. She did it earlier and came out when she was ready.”
Logan headed toward the guest room while Devon paced to the windows. “That’s quite the view.”
“It is. Now, who wants steaks and who wants chicken?”
Devon heard Logan returning and saw him shrug.
“Door’s locked.”
“Do you have a key?” Devon asked Connor. “She hasn’t been well. I think it’s important we check on her.”
“I do. And I understand your thinking, but the woman I met was calm and clear-headed. I don’t think she’s a danger to anyone or herself.”
