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added a codicil to his will, just as he said he would.”
    “Damn, so Tara found it.”
    “No. She read about it in his journal.”
    Bennett’s eyes glistered dangerously. “So it’s still somewhere in that house.”
    “Or in the hands of whomever broke in there last night, if I’m to believe that wasn’t you. And why should I, when your feeble alibi only accounts for your whereabouts for part of the night?”
    “Believe what you wish. It doesn’t matter in the least to me.” Bennett picked up the knife and began peeling the apple again.
    “I didn’t think it would. Here’s another piece of information for you, though. I’m spending the night next door, so if you’re thinking of sneaking over there, I’d think again, because you’ll have to contend with me, and the law’ll be on my side.” Easton didn’t wait for him to answer before leaving the kitchen to head up to his room.
    He threw a change of clothes and some toiletries into a backpack and then headed out. It was bad enough he’d run into Bennett. He didn’t want to run into his dad too, so he needed to be gone before he got home from work.
    When he arrived at the Spencer house, he found Emily asleep in the chair in the parlor and Tara in the library. At first glance, he thought she was straightening up the mess but then realized she was adding to it. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m looking for the codicil.”
    He went over to her and took the papers she held from her hands and dropped them on Addison’s desk, then he slipped his hands up her arms and pulled her close to him. “You don’t need to do that tonight.”
    She collapsed against him, resting her head against his chest. “You’re right. If it’s in here, it’ll still be here tomorrow.”
    He kissed the top of her head. “Are you hungry?”
    “I hadn’t really thought about it, but it must be dinnertime. My poor grandmother is probably starving. She hasn’t eaten much all day.”
    “Why don’t we order takeout? I know of a great little seafood restaurant that delivers.”
    She smiled up at him. “That sounds perfect. Let’s go find my grandmother.”
    “She’s asleep in the other room.”
    Tara frowned. “All this stress is so bad for her.”
    “Try not to worry so much. She’s a strong woman.”
    “She is, isn’t she?”
    “Yeah, she put up with Addison for all those years.”
    Tara offered him a halfhearted smile and led the way down the hall. After they woke Emily, they decided they all wanted clam chowder and fried shrimp. Easton phoned in the order, and while they waited for it to be delivered, he and Emily told Tara stories of past summers on the island. That helped to lighten the mood, and by the time dinner arrived, they were all laughing.
    Later, Tara took him up to the second floor to show him the room he’d be sleeping in. It was across the hall from her grandmother’s, then while she got Emily settled in bed, he went back downstairs to make sure the doors were locked. A few minutes later, Tara was at his side.
    “I made sure my grandmother took her cough medicine. That way we’ll be sure she’ll sleep through the night.”
    “And won’t be tempted to come down and unlock the door,” he added.
    “She promised not to do that again, but you never know.”
    “Yeah, it’s better to be sure.”
    She looked up at him through a fringe of lashes. “Well, it’s been a long day.”
    “You must be exhausted.”
    “I am. It’s finally caught up with me.”
    He held her for a moment, then kissed her gently. Anything more, and there was no way he’d let her go upstairs to sleep.
    After she left him and he was lying in bed alone, he began to regret his decision. His feelings for her had become much deeper than intended, and he wished she was there beside him.

     
     
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    Thunder rumbled off in the distance, and Tara wondered if a storm was headed their way. She pulled the covers up under her chin and glanced at the French door,