Island of Secrets by Janni Nell

Author:Janni Nell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“What’s up?” asked Casper as Heavenly increased speed. “Aren’t you happy to have another chance to solve this case?”

“Sure, but I still have to convince Oak to rehire me.” I slumped on the bench-like seat in the stern. Something poked my butt through the thin cushion. “You should get this seat fixed,” I snapped.

Casper’s frown disappeared. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

“No. Yes. Of course. What else would it be?”

He shrugged. “I can’t think of anything.”

His easygoing attitude made me want to scream. “Can’t you? Really?” I shouldn’t have raised my voice. It made my headache worse.

He smothered a sigh. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re really trying to say? It’s not like you to be so obtuse.”

“Obtuse?” I spluttered.

“It means—”

“I know what it means.”

“Why are you mad at me?” He seemed genuinely confused. “I thought you’d be happy. Last night I showed up on time to rescue you. I did my job to the very best of my ability.”

“After I passed out, you put me in Dylan’s bed. What’s with that?”

“I thought you’d like to sleep there.” His brow puckered. “I rescued him for you and that’s not in my job description.”

“I’m not sure you can claim you rescued Dylan. He is in the hospital.”

“But he’s not badly hurt.”

“Okay, okay. Your timely appearance was responsible for Dylan’s survival.”

“Thank you for the acknowledgment. Even if it was grudging.”

“Oh shut it, Casper. How long till we reach Lu’arna?” I shifted on the thin plastic cushion and felt the hard lump again. “What the heck is this?” I pulled the cushion off the wooden bench, revealing a charm bracelet. The tiny silver cradle and the red heart gleamed guiltily in the sunlight. “That’s Sophie’s.”

“Great.” Casper beamed, reaching for the jewelry. “She wondered where she’d lost it. What’s the matter? You knew she was here last night. You saw her.”

In her pajamas.

“I’m sorry you don’t like Sophie,” he went on. “I was hoping you could be friends.”

“Are you kidding? How can I be friends with someone who might cost you a place in Heaven?” Oh crap, I hadn’t meant to say anything, but suddenly I couldn’t stop. I was so angry and hurt. “Casper I’m sorry, but this has to be said. I’ve kept quiet up until now, but I can’t stand by and let you ruin your chance of entering Heaven. Not when you’re worked so hard to follow your Rules of Conduct. For Pete’s sake, you almost won an Angel Award and got fast-tracked to Heaven. Anyway, it’s not just about you. I’ve worked hard to control my own feelings. I’ve given up the chance of doing the horizontal—” I clapped my hand over my mouth. “Forget I said that.”

He said softly, “You’ve misunderstood. It’s not like that.”

“Don’t you dare tell me how much you love her. Don’t you dare.” I backed away as if I could put enough distance between us to stop his words reaching me.

“Allegra,” he repeated, “it’s not like that. Sophie and I aren’t…we’re actually…but I told you last night.

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