The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor, #2)(15)

That’s crap





He laughed out loud, startling a nearby seagull.

I thought you wanted a reckless summer?





Reckless like fun, not like terrifying





Sometimes the two go together





All she sent after that was a grumpy-face emoji so Noah continued his trek back to his car parked in the marina parking lot. It was a small marina; the harbor Dream Harbor was named after wasn’t much more than an inlet with a rocky coast. Besides Noah’s boat, there were a handful of other fishing boats and a few pleasure boats docked alongside.

Dream Harbor wasn’t a big tourist destination, at least not compared to other towns up and down the coast. Other than the old inn up on the hill and the new, swanky spa and resort they’d put in a few years ago, there weren’t many places for people to stay, but still the population grew every summer with guests looking for a relaxing vacation. Noah was convinced his little beach-cottage idea would draw people to town looking for a quiet seaside getaway without the jam-packed beaches and overcrowded restaurants in other destinations. And due to the fact that there were only a handful of houses, even a steady turnover of guests wouldn’t actually add to the town’s population much at all. He hoped this would alleviate some of the townsfolk’s concerns.

It was a good idea. He knew it was, even when he didn’t really believe it. He just had to wrap his mind around how to sell it to the town council. They were incredibly protective of the town’s ascetics. According to Logan, it had taken years and many heated arguments and multiple Mayor Kelly dreams to convince the good people of Dream Harbor that putting in one spa would not in fact destroy the entire town.

And if it wasn’t for the inn, Noah wouldn’t have a business at all. Can’t take out-of-towners on fishing tours if they have no place to stay afterwards. But Noah grew up in a tourist town. He understood why Dream Harbor didn’t want to turn itself over completely to impermanent residents.

He was sure there was a way to balance the two, though. Someday he’d get around to presenting his idea. Maybe.

Noah climbed into his car, leaving the windows down. Despite what Annie said, he did in fact smell pretty fishy when he got off the boat and he was looking forward to a shower. He shot Hazel one more text before pulling out.

Sounds like we’re heading to the carnival this weekend.





Her response was immediate and he couldn’t help his smile.

I’ll go to the carnival but no ferris wheel





We’ll see . . .





NO FERRIS WHEEL





He laughed and tossed his phone aside. He didn’t care if they went on every ride or did nothing but stand around. He had a date with Hazel Kelly. And all he’d needed to get it was for some cryptic messages to appear in the pages of a book. Not his usual style, but he’d take it.

By the time he was out of the shower and sprawled on his bed, he had three more messages from Hazel.

I think we should meet at the carnival.





Around 8.





And maybe don’t mention this whole clue thing to anyone.





He frowned.

Why?





I don’t know, I still feel kinda ridiculous about it. Also we need to figure out some suspects.





Suspects?





Yeah, like who is leaving them and why.





He rolled over onto his back, a smile on his face. He liked talking to Hazel. He liked that he got to.

I didn’t realize there would be a mystery-solving component to this arrangement.





Don’t call it an arrangement. That sounds weird.





Okay. What should I call it? Hazel and Noah’s Summer of Fun!





No.





HANSOF for short





Definitely not.





HANSOF!!





Summer is nearly over anyway





Yeah but ‘Hazel and Noah’s two months before her thirtieth birthday of fun’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.





Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into?





The best summer you’ve ever had.





He was making big promises here, but he had to. Go big or go home, right? And if this was his one shot with Hazel he sure as hell was going to take it. Whatever the bizarre circumstances that got them here.

Oh yeah?





Guaranteed.





Wow.





I’m very good at fun, Hazel.





He thought of Hazel’s wine-flavored lips. She was very good at fun too, whether she knew it or not.

I believe it.





Good, see you at the carnival.





Right, see you then.





HANSOF!!