Summer in Eclipse Bay Read Online Free Page A

low profile.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œIt wouldn’t have been fair to you Madisons or to the Hartes. You’ve all suffered enough over the years because of what happened when you got involved with Aunt Claudia.”
    Mitchell snorted. “Madisons and Hartes are used to folks around here talking about us. Claudia may have been the spark that started the feud, but you can’t blame her for the fact that Sullivan and I kept it going all those years. Hell, Madisons and Hartes have been inspiring conversation here in Eclipse Bay all by ourselves for decades. Got a real talent for it. Sometimes I think the good Lord put us on this earth just to keep this town entertained.”
    In other words, her concern for discretion and the privacy of the Madison and Harte families had been a complete waste of time and energy on her part. She sighed inwardly. Not only was she not needed here, Mitchell and Sullivan hadn’t even cared enough about her presence in town to ask for explanations.
    The day was getting more depressing by the minute.
    â€œWell, that’s that, then, isn’t it?” She straightened her shoulders, preparing to leave. “I just wanted you to know, Mitch.” She took a step back. “Guess I’ll be going.” She retreated another step. “Your roses look incredible, by the way.”
    Mitchell rapped his cane on the gravel again. “Hang on a minute. I’m the first to admit that you’ve got a right to keep your private business private, but now that you’ve mentioned Claudia and what happened in the past, I think maybe I’ve got a right to know why you’ve suddenly decided to pull up stakes.”
    â€œIt’s hard to explain.”
    His hawklike eyes gleamed with shrewd comprehension. “It’s Nick Harte, isn’t it?”
    She was dumbfounded. “I, uh—”
    â€œHe’s been pestering you, hasn’t he? I knew it. I saw the way he moved in on you the night of Lillian’s show. When he turned up in town a couple of weeks ago and settled into the Harte cottage for the summer, I got right on the phone to Sullivan.”
    â€œYou what ?”
    â€œI warned him that he’d better keep Nick reined in good and tight. Told him I wouldn’t stand by and let his grandson play any of his love ’em and leave ’em games with you. I don’t care if Nick is still broken up about losing his wife. That’s no excuse to fool around with you. Time he got over what happened and straightened himself out. Time he started acting like a real Harte again.”
    â€œA, uh, real Harte?” she repeated carefully.
    â€œDamn right. Hartes don’t mess around and have affairs. Hartes get married.”
    â€œI’ve heard that theory,” she said dryly. “But there are exceptions to every rule. In any event, set your mind at rest, Mitch. This has got nothing to do with Nick Harte.”
    Even as the words left her lips, she realized she was lying through her teeth. Leaving Eclipse Bay had everything to do with Nick Harte. She just wasn’t sure how to explain the connection, not even to herself, let alone to Mitchell.
    â€œBullshit.” Mitchell glowered. “Pardon my language. But you’ve got to admit that the timing is more than a tad suspicious.”
    â€œLook, Mitch, we’re getting a little off-topic here. I stopped by to tell you about my link to Claudia Banner. But since you already know about it, maybe I should tell you why I came here to Eclipse Bay in the first place.”
    There was a short silence. She could hear the distant clatter of pots in the kitchen. The light breeze off the bay shifted tree branches in the corner of the garden. Birds chattered overhead.
    â€œSullivan and me, we decided maybe you were just curious,” Mitchell said after a while.
    â€œIt was more than mere curiosity,” she said quietly. “I should probably start at the