have to say thank you. If, however, you were about to say something else, then I retract the thanks.”
“You’ve got me there. And you’re welcome.”
Logan waved a waiter over and picked up a glass of juice. Before he handed it to Pippa, he removed the yellow umbrella and stuck it in his front pocket.
Their eyes met, Logan looking amused. And then, just barely, one corner of his mouth lifted in the beginning of a grin.
“So, about the building,” Pippa said. “Granny has a meeting with you to finalize the details on her calendar, right?”
“She does, though if you want I can send the details to you via email.”
“No need,” she said. “Our calendars are synched so the appointment reminder will be there when I get to work on Monday. I’m curious, though. Have you found any surprises during the demolition?”
“So far, no. The old building is solid as a rock. It just needs a little work, at least upstairs where you’ll be living. Downstairs is going to take more time, but that’s something we’ve already discussed.” Logan’s expression was tentative. “You said you like your view of the ocean in the rental. That reminds me of the idea I had.”
Granny stepped into view, Vine Beach’s mayor at her side. Apparently the part of the evening Pippa most dreaded was about to get under way. How many times had she smiled until her jaws ached at these events? Too many to count.
The irony was that while she loved to plan events, she had short tolerance for actually attending them.
“I’m curious,” she said to Logan. “What’s your idea? Some kind of decorating thing?”
He gave her a wide-eyed look. “Do I look like a decorator?” When she laughed, he continued. “It’s a construction item.” Uncertainty showed in his expression. “I spied some minor damage from last night’s storm that’s going to have to be repaired. While I was digging around—”
“Ladies and gentlemen” came the booming voice of Mayor Murdoch. “Can I have your attention? We came here for a reason, and I think it’s time we got started.”
Logan shrugged as if to indicate his inability to continue. Pippa gave her attention to the mayor, who was accepting a hug from Granny before handing her the microphone.
“Every one of you is here because you’ve indicated an interest in what the Gallagher Trust is doing,” Granny said. “For this I want to thank you. When my late husband and I set up this trust, I never expected the Lord would use it so mightily to bless others.”
Pippa thought of all the good her grandparents had done over the years and smiled. Not only had they funded her parents in their mission work in Indonesia, but they also sent out scores of others who had gone out to do the work of the Lord. And without the small stipend the trust paid her, she’d never have been able to get the youth ministry she called R10:14 up and running.
“So, Mayor,” Granny continued, “why don’t you do the honors and tell us who will be going home with my paintings tonight?”
Pippa stifled a groan. Here we go. If she didn’t find a way out soon, she would eventually be drawn into the speech-giving. Or, the way she thought of it, the moment when everyone stared and she made a fool of herself by either babbling nonsensically or finding nothing to say at all.
The mayor took the microphone and began to wax poetic on the tight competition for coveted pieces of art from the Gallagher collection. Every painting had a name and a story attached, and the politician took great care to draw out each before declaring the winners.
Pippa caught Logan watching her, then grinned when he quickly looked away. Apparently he shared her desire to escape.
Across the room, Dr. Wilson’s name was announced as the winner of Granny’s Sailboats at Dawn painting. By Pippa’s count there were at least two dozen more pieces to award. And then would come the speeches.
Time to make a discreet exit.
“So,” she whispered when she caught Logan’s attention again. “I was just leaving. Want to join me? You could show me that construction add-on you were talking about.”
“Now?” Recognition dawned as Logan leaned close. “You’re not exactly dressed for walking around a construction site.”
“Neither are you.” She gestured to the surfboard-themed tie he wore. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
A glance around the room and Logan returned his attention to her with a grin. “Are you kidding? Let’s go.”
Chapter Two
Pippa led the way around the back of Granny’s house, skirting the pool and the outdoor kitchen to enter the service area that led to the garage. Kicking off her heels, she slipped into the sandals she kept there. While she used them for wearing out on the sandy beach or in the outdoor shower, they should also work for poking around an old building. At the very least they should keep her from falling on her face, a distinct possibility in the uncomfortable but pretty yellow shoes she’d donned for the party.
She turned to be sure Logan was still following. He’d already removed his jacket and slung it over his arm and was in the process of loosening his surfboard tie. When their gazes met, he gave her a dazzling smile.
“Kind of like skipping class,” Pippa said, though she’d never dared make that sort of attempt back in high school.
“Kind of,” he replied as he reached up to run a hand through his sand-colored hair. His left hand.
Instantly Pippa checked for a ring and found none, then stifled a cringe. What is wrong with me?
“You never skipped class, did you?” he asked.
“Never,” she admitted.
“Then I suppose it’s time. Lead on,” said the object of her thoughts as he loosened the top two buttons on his dress shirt.
“This way.” Pippa glanced around and spied her Mini Cooper wedged between Granny’s sedan and several other cars. Apparently the valets for tonight’s event weren’t concerned with whether the family might need to escape.
She stopped short and looked around. “The blue one’s mine, but it’s not going anywhere. Do you mind driving?”
“Long as you don’t mind the wind in your hair,” Logan said. “I didn’t expect company, so I left the top to the Jeep back home in my garage.”
“I’ll manage.”
A moment later Logan waved away a valet to gesture toward a black Jeep Wrangler parked up the road between two vehicles of a more expensive type. As promised, the top was off, exposing the seats to the elements.
“Your chariot awaits,” he said as he trotted around to help her climb into the passenger seat.
Thankful she’d worn her hair up today, Pippa slid the seat belt into position and sat back to enjoy the ride. Only as the gates of Granny’s neighborhood were closing behind them did she truly consider the fact
