Page 78 of The Romance Adventure

Moving on, I go over my surprise plans for Royal tomorrow. He’s going to love the Rice Krispies treats and the little adventure around the Keys that I have planned—we’re going to play tourists and see some sights. I bounce on my toes and then clean up.

After putting everything away, Bean comes into the small kitchen area, having locked up for the night. “I see Cupid has been hard at work back here.”

“Just a little sweet for my sweetheart. Also, there are extras if you want to give one to Mr. Edmonton. Plus, I set aside one for each of us. I thought we could have a sleepover tonight.”

“I doubt he’s ever had a Rice Krispies treat.”

“Is he even human? I’ve never seen him come out of his room.”

Lips twisted dolefully, Bean lifts and lowers her shoulder. “He’s not doing well. The surgery took a lot out of him.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope one of these will cheer him up.”

“Thanks for thinking of him. If you ever want to go up and visit, I’m sure he’d like to meet you.”

Recalling my Aunt Olga and lawyer mystery epiphany, I say, “Speaking of that... Bean, is there something you want to tell me about Mr. Edmonton?”

She rolls her eyes. “Isla, he’s ancient, so please don’t start in with anything about that or how Jack is my age.”

“No, I meant about him and Aunt Olga.”

Bean’s expression turns crimson. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I stalk closer, my finger tapping the air. “I think you do. Did Olga and Oliver Edmonton spend Valentine’s Day together every year? That would explain why she’d come down here in February. Why she had the beach shack.”

Bean swallows. “That’s part of the story.”

“Ah ha! I knew it.” I lean in, eager to hear more.

Bean shifts from foot to foot. “What were you saying about that sleepover? Because I could go for some chocolate.”

After making frozen pizza, popping popcorn, and hitting Bean’s chocolate stash hard, we sit on the couch together in the guest house wearing our matching pajamas for just this occasion—hers are purple and mine are pink.

“So, Olga and Oliver, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G⁠—?”

Bean gives me a big sister look.

I go quiet. “Okay, but really, what happened?”

“When I started working for Mr. Edmonton, he gave me a lot of busywork, organizing files, and transferring data to an online program, so when he retires, whoever takes over for him has access to everything. During that time, we became friendly and I was a willing ear to listen to his stories. When I was done with the filing, he asked me to help him sort through old boxes, photos, letters, and the like.”

I gasp. “You found one of him with Aunt Olga?”

Bean nods. “By then, I knew all about his Kulkoka.”

I nearly snort Sprite out of my nose. “Doesn’t that mean little baby doll?”

Bean wears an affectionate smile, but she’s had plenty of time to come to terms with this secret, sweetheart romance. “They had secret rendezvous here on the island.”

She keeps nodding as if I’m onto something.

“But they could never be public with their relationship because—?” I ask, not sure of the answer.

“Because of us. Not that we were a burden, but by then we were in our aunt’s care and she didn’t want to move us down here and disrupt our lives.”

“But we would’ve had an Uncle Mr. Edmonton?”

She nods one more time. “We do in a way.”