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“On the yacht,” Lila explained.
“You’re not at sea any longer,” Frasier pointed out. His mouth tilted into a semblance of a smile, but his eyes were cool as he studied Travis.
This guy was in plain clothes, but he reeked of law enforcement. That, at least, was something Travis understood. If she had friends on the police force, that could work to their advantage with a thief in the area. He would talk to Jess about it.
Between them, Lila laughed, the sound stilted rather than cheery. “I’m a grown up,” she reminded Will. “You don’t have to bother with the gruff father routine.” She turned to Travis. “I told you about making the decision to stay with Gram rather than my parents.”
Vaguely, but he nodded along as if he had the whole story and understood all the reasons.
“Will stepped into the shoes my dad never wanted to fill,” she explained. “He’s also Chief Caldwell’s lieutenant on the Brookwell police force.”
Just as he’d thought.
Will huffed. “Big title in a small department,” he clarified. “Lila became the daughter I never had. My wife and I had three wonderful sons. But Lila gave us a chance to spoil a little girl.”
She snorted. “As if. I was a teenager.”
“That attitude is forever,” Will said to Travis. Affection colored his voice as he spoke to Lila, “Still needed spoiling from our perspective.”
“You’re just a big squish,” she accused lightly.
“Never tell my boys.”
She grinned at Will, her face shining with admiration. “Your secret has always been safe with me.”
Seemingly taking pity on Travis, he explained. “Shortly after Lila decided to stay, my wife and I bumped into her at the registration table for the annual October 5K fun run. Her grandmother didn’t want her training alone in the early hours. So I became her training buddy.” He winked. “The rest is history.”
Obviously the Frasiers had helped Lila adapt during a tough time. Made Will one of the good guys in Travis’s mind. “This is a beautiful place to call home.”
“We like it. And she knows every square inch of it better than most.” Will’s gaze skimmed over Travis. “What is it you do?”
“Right now I’m on vacation,” he lied smoothly. “I’m told I need more practice when it comes to rest and relaxation.” He smiled at Lila as if that opinion had been hers. “On the yacht I led the personal security team.”
Will’s chin bobbed once. Travis figured that counted as probationary approval. He pressed the momentary advantage. “I know Lila will soon dive into work at the bakery. Any suggestions for the new guy in town?”
Will’s eyebrows lifted and lowered. “You like to stay busy, huh?”
“My dad always said there were worse habits.” Another lie. His dad hadn’t been around to offer any kind of advice.
“Around here there’s always something going on. If you’re an early riser, nothing beats an open water fishing trip. You do like seafood?”
“Absolutely.” Travis smiled. “Connie says we’re having dinner at the fish camp tonight. Would you and your wife like to join us?”
Lila sucked in a gasp and her face paled. A cloud passed through Will’s eyes, then cleared as a slow smile creased his face. “I’m surprised Connie didn’t tell you,” he said to Lila. “I just remarried.”
“Seriously?” Lila threw her arms around Will’s neck. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” He patted her back. “My grief was pretty well known.”
“And with good reason.”
Will rolled his shoulders. “You’re right. My new wife, Maureen, is from Key West. We’re splitting time between here and there as we get settled. Tonight isn’t good for us, but I do appreciate the invitation.” His gaze locked on Travis once more. “Why don’t we plan on a barbecue at my place this weekend? I can get to know your young man better and you can meet Maureen. She’ll love you.”
Those last three words were for Lila alone. He didn’t mind. Not even with the implication that he’d be facing a familial interrogation over a meal. Travis was all for getting to know the people who were important to her.
“This weekend?” Lila twitched her mouth. “Sure. We’d like that. Right?” She wasn’t as adept at fibbing as Travis, and he feared Will caught the suspicious hitch in her voice.
“If you want to catch up before that, you can always call or come to the station,” Will said. Yep, she was about to blow theircover story. But he couldn’t really intervene without coming across as problematic or controlling to a man who’d known her most of her life. A man who, as a cop, had been trained to observe and assess people and situations.
