Page 86 of Buried Secrets

“And now?”

“Now I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Can’t imagine not being with my family, my friends.” Amy studied Kaitlin’s face in the fading light. “So what’s your plan? You’ve found your family, solved the mystery. Back to London?”

The question hung in the evening air between them. Kaitlin stared at her wine glass, watching the last light reflect off its surface.

“I promised to stay until Christmas, but after, I honestly don’t know,” she admitted. “London feels like someone else’s life now. But I can’t exactly stay rent free in your cottage indefinitely.”

“Maybe not rent free, but you could stay.”

Kaitlin looked up, startled. “I would need a job. And you have a business to run, guests to accommodate. You don’t need to make a place for a rogue researcher.”

Amy’s eyes held a calculating gleam. “What if you were an employee?”

“Amy, I can’t let you create a job for me out of pity. You’ve enough going on with the renovations.”

“Not pity. Need.” Amy set down her wine glass, leaning forward with sudden intensity. “Do you know how much time I’ve spent this week dealing with historical society bureaucracy? Permit applications, documentation requirements, record-keeping for the renovation?”

“It’s a temporary situation, though. Once the construction is finished—”

“The paperwork never ends, Kaitlin. Tax records, guest registrations, vendor documentation, employee files. I need someone who understands all of that, someone with your patience and attention to detail.”

“I don’t have any experience in hospitality management.”

“You have experience in exactly what I need most, but you’re right. It wouldn’t be full time for a while.” Amy reached for the wine bottle, topping off their glasses. “But you know, Mrs. Holloway announced her retirement from the town clerk position. Forty-three years of municipal service, and she’s finally stepping down.”

Kaitlin’s pulse quickened. “The town clerk position?”

“Perfect job for someone with your background. Document management, record keeping, dealing with residents who have complicated requests.” Amy grinned. “Plus, it comes with health insurance and a pension. They could use your expertise to modernize. I understand it’s been her refusal to do that, and not budget cuts like she tells everyone.”

“You think they’d consider hiring someone who’s not from the island?”

“Well actually, you were born here and have family here.” Amy shook her head. “I think you’d be a shoe-in.”

“Even with Matt’s recommendation working against me?”

“What makes you think Matt would work against you?” Amy’s tone sharpened with curiosity.

Kaitlin felt heat rise in her cheeks. “We had a falling out.”

“I heard about that.” Amy’s eyes grew knowing. “I also heard about the way he reacted when Cook grabbed you. And the way he’s been asking about your plans.”

“He’s been asking about my plans?”

“Subtly. In that way men do when they’re trying to seem casual about something that’s eating them alive.” Amy smiled. “Trust me, I know the signs.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Kaitlin said, though her heart had begun beating faster. “He made it clear he doesn’t trust me.”

“Matt doesn’t trust anyone who isn’t born and raised on this island,” Amy replied matter-of-factly. “It’s his biggest character flaw. But he got over it with me eventually.”

“That’s different. You weren’t lying to him about fundamental aspects of your identity.”

Amy studied Kaitlin’s face in the growing dusk. “The question is, do you want to belong here?”

The question cut straight to the heart of everything Kaitlin had been avoiding. Did she want to build a life on this small island, surrounded by people who’d known each other since childhood? Did she want to navigate the complex social dynamics of a place where everyone knew everyone else’s business? Strangely, the idea of being known like that called out to her, of belonging.

“It’s appealing,” she said honestly.

Amy raised her glass. “I think you might be surprised.”