Some Kind of Wonderful (Puffin Island 2)

Alec took a last long look at that shiny waterfall of blond hair and then turned his attention back to his food. “You don’t seem the type to relish being messy.”

Sky put her spoon down with a clatter. “You think you know me but you don’t and, by the way, someone with your reputed brain power should know better than to judge on appearances.”

Alec carried on eating. “Like it or not, our unconscious minds take the available data and shape our perceptions.”

“And your unconscious mind has decided I’m a fairy princess? Based on what? The color of my hair? Carry on making comments like that and you really will be unconscious.” Sky caught Emily’s eye and subsided. “This chowder really is delicious, Em.” She was about to say something else when her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and immediately her spirit and energy evaporated. “Sorry, I know we have a ‘no phones at the table’ rule, but I need to take this. It’s Richard.” She mumbled the words and stood up, almost knocking the chair over in her haste. Mumbling apologies, she shot out of the room.

Alec’s gaze followed her to the door. “Who,” he said slowly, “is Richard?”

“Her asshat boyfriend,” Ryan said cheerfully. “You handled that well, Al. Your charm is second only to your tact. I can see why you’re in such demand as a dinner guest. And why you’re single.”

“He’s the perfect guest.” Emily served seconds of chowder. “But you have Sky all wrong, Alec. She’s not the person you seem to think she is.”

Alec stirred. “I’m single because, having sampled the alternative, that’s the way I prefer to live my life. And I don’t think about Skylar at all.”

“So her boyfriend calls and she answers no matter where or when?” Ryan frowned. “Doesn’t seem like Sky.”

“Richard is stressed about the campaign. Sky is being supportive.” Emily swiftly sprang to Sky’s defense but Brittany knew they were thinking the same thing—that with Richard Everson, Sky was a different person.

Ryan wisely changed the subject and soon they were engaged in a lively discussion on how they’d spent their summers during childhood.

Zach was the only one who didn’t participate.

Bri

ttany knew that camp for him had been an escape, not a luxury.

The links with the university and the marine center meant that they attracted a mix of children from different backgrounds. Camp Puffin offered a few sponsored places so that kids from the cities had a chance to learn more about the outdoors.

Zach had been one of those.

Ryan glanced at her. “So what do you think, Brittany? Would you consider helping in some capacity? You used to love it.”

Her brief moment of respite was over and the focus was back on her.

Camp was intimately entwined with her relationship with Zach. Their relationship had begun while she’d been helping out there.

“It’s not a bad idea.” Emily reached for her drink. “You’re bored, Brit. And you loved working with the kids. Why not do it?”

Her reason for not doing it was seated close to her.

His gaze connected briefly with hers. Those devil-black eyes gave no hint as to what was going on in his head, but she knew instinctively that he wanted her to help out at Camp Puffin as much as she wanted to be there.

She stood up abruptly. “I’ll clear the plates.”

Skylar reappeared at that moment. She made no reference to the call. “I’ll help.”

“And I need to prepare dessert. No—” Emily held up her hand as Ryan started to stand “—tonight is on me. You can do the whole thing next time.”

The three girls vanished into the kitchen.

ZACH PUSHED BACK from the table and rose to his feet. “Thanks for dinner.”

Ryan frowned. “Where are you going?”

“Back to my cabin. I shouldn’t have come.” Next to him, Cocoa gave a whimper of protest and he stooped to give her a last stroke. She pressed into his hand adoringly, apparently the only female in the world who didn’t sense that he was a bucket load of trouble.

“Dinner isn’t finished yet. Sit down.” Ryan pushed another beer towards him and Zach straightened and shook his head.