“Is it okay to go in the kitchen?” Xander asked Willa. “I’d like to look in on my sister.”
“Sure.” Willa waved him back as the front door opened. “Hey, Kendall. Oh, Kendall Davidson, Xander Costas.” Willa got to her feet as a thin brunette entered the inn. Her intense dark eyes, black cargo pants and black T-shirt reminded Xander of a female action star who had seen too many battles. A painful-looking group of burn scars stretched across her neck and up the side of her face. “Xander’s designing the butterfly sanctuary up near Calliope’s place.”
“The architect.” Kendall offered her hand with a sharp nod. “Yes, she mentioned someone was in town who might be able to give me a hand with something. No, wait, Willa, I need you, too.”
“Me?” Willa couldn’t have looked more surprised if Kendall had coasted in on roller skates.
“Calliope said your grandfather once worked up at Liberty Lighthouse.”
“Yes, he did.” Willa nodded. “He was one of the last keepers, but when he was a boy, he worked on the construction.”
“Any chance you still have any notes or records he kept from that time?”
“You’re looking to restore it to its original specs?” Xander’s interest was piqued.
“I am. Lighthouses are testaments of time. I’d like it to reflect that.”
“I can check with my mother.” Willa grabbed her cell phone and started typing. “We kept a lot of Grandpa’s stuff in the attic. Can you give us a few days? I’m not sure we’ll actually find anything, but it’s worth a shot. We have to go up for our Christmas decorations, anyway.”
“Great. I’ll check back in on Monday?” Kendall rapped her knuckles against the counter.
“Perfect.” Willa nodded. “Thanks for asking.”
“You know much about lighthouses?” Kendall asked Xander, pinning him with a dark-eyed stare that had him swallowing hard.
“I know some. I also have a few contacts on the east coast who have worked on restoration committees. Anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Authenticity. And maybe some advice. The structure seems sound enough, but I wouldn’t mind a second pair of professional eyes.”
What an interesting prospect. “Give me time to do some research and hear back from my contacts.”
“Works for me. Just come whenever you want.”
“You sure? I’m an early bird.”
“Sounds good to me. I don’t sleep much, so my schedule’s pretty open. Thanks, Willa.”
“You bet.” Willa watched her leave. “I think that’s the most I’ve heard her say since she arrived in town.”
“Looks like she’s had a rough go of things.”
“Rumor has it,” Willa agreed. “She and Matt Knight are close friends. If you play poker tonight, you’ll meet him.”
Xander’s eyebrows shot up. “How did you know I was invited to poker?”
Willa grinned and tucked her mousy brown hair behind her ears. “Small town. We know everything.”
* * *
“ANTE UP!”
At Luke Saxon’s order, Xander tossed a red poker chip onto the center of the table as Jason dealt out the next hand. “Aces wild, pairs or better to open. Kyle, keep those cards up and close, please. No tempting eyes.” He looked pointedly at Ozzy Lakeman, one of Luke’s deputies who sat back in his chair as if he’d been caught cheating on a test.
“Simon, check your chips.” Luke motioned for his nine-year-old son to organize his pile.
Odd, playing poker in a sheriff’s station. A station that, if the residual paint fumes were any indication, had recently been remodeled and updated. Desks lined the perimeter of the room behind a large partition and pass-through. Luke’s private office sat in the back corner near another door leading to what Xander assumed were holding cells. Did anyone ever get arrested in Butterfly Harbor?
“You just asked me here to take my money, didn’t you?” Xander looked at his forlorn hand and folded immediately. Luke’s golden retriever, Cash, took that as his cue to leave his bed and come over to look for treats. “Hey, boy.” Xander sank his hand into the dog’s neck and scrubbed. He’d always wanted a dog, but with all his travelling, it had never been practical.