Despite everything, it made him smile. “Anytime you need me to secure that lock on your door, you let me know.”
“Philip and Celia must be glad to know you’re staying around.”
“I hope so.”
“And it will take your mind off other things.” Hilda gave him a sympathetic look. “We’re all sorry it didn’t work out this time. We wanted it to. We were all rooting for you.”
Zach had no idea what she was talking about and didn’t want to know. “I appreciate your concern.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself, not this time. Of course last time you were to blame. I remember saying to Kathleen at the time, that boy isn’t ready for the responsibility. You were too busy watching out for yourself to watch out for the girl you married.”
Zach realized they were having a conversation about Brittany. “Hilda—”
“If you hadn’t left the island, we probably would have kicked you off. But it’s different this time. You’re different. It’s a shame she can’t see that, but I suppose it’s hard when you’ve been hurt once before. I used to see her in here with Kathleen in the weeks after you left, white and skinny. Kathleen worried herself sick over the girl.”
“Wait a minute—” Zach felt a pressure on his chest. “What do you mean ‘it’s different this time’?” What are you saying?”
“I already told you—I’m saying I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” She patted his hand. “We all feel for you.”
By the time he reached the checkout, he’d received sympathy from at least eight different people and had ascertained that not only was Brittany leaving, she’d already booked her flight.
Without telling him.
Apparently his relationship with Brittany was over and he was the last person to find out.
Why the hell wouldn’t she have told him that?
Mel was the only person who was smiling. “We’re all real sorry to hear the news.” Not looking in the least bit sorry, she checked out his groceries. “Seeing as the whole island saw the two of you looking all cozy, heads together, at The Galleon the other night, we assumed you were together again but I guess it didn’t work out. Some say you should learn from your past mistakes but I suppose this time round she dropped you so it’s not the same thing. If you need someone to talk to, you know where I am.”
Zach ignored that. “How does everyone know she’s booked her flight?” Had the subject been anything else he would have laughed because here he was, gossiping like a true islander.
“Someone mentioned it.” She tucked the fruit into a bag and gave him a sly look. “You’d think she would have told you, given that you’ve been spending so much time together and all. Looks like running away to me, but what do I know?”
She clearly knew a hell of a lot more than he did.
He paid, drove back to the camp and there, on the deck right outside Seagull’s Nest, was a large blue casserole dish.
He stared at it in silence.
If he’d needed confirmation that the rumors were true, he had it now.
Swearing under his breath, he reversed the car and drove up to Harbor House.
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Ryan was in the kitchen when Zach walked in.
“Was it you?” Zach’s voice was a growl. “Did you leave that damn thing by my door?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The casserole.”
Ryan shot him a look of naked incredulity. “Have you been drinking? You think I made you a casserole?”
Zach turned just as Emily walked into the room. “Was it you?”
“Was what me?” She looked stressed and tired.