Wait a minute. His hand twitched as if he thought about touching her and changed his mind. We havent finished talking about this.
I dont know how to find the person who took the picture. Theres nothing else to say. I want to take down the sheets before its time to start dinner. And I want to put a little distance between us.
Fine. He seemed to grind his teeth. Ill help you with the sheets, if thats what it takes. We can talk and fold at the same time.
Shes forgotten how persistent he could be when he wanted something. Sammy will be home in a few minutes. I dont want him to hear anything about this.
He slid the photo into his pocket. Ive already said he wont hear it from me, Miranda. He moved past her, then stopped and raised an eyebrow when she didnt follow. Arent we going to fold laundry?
Without a word, she brushed past him and started around the house, aware of him on her heels. Persistent. Aggravating. Determined to have his own way. Tyler hadnt changedthose qualities had intensified, probably from years of surrounding himself with people who always agreed with the boss. Well, hed have to get used to the fact that this situation was different.
She reached the dry sheets shed hung out earlier and began taking them down. Tyler let her get one more sheet into the basket before he started in again.
Theres no reason to suppose it was a stranger, anyway.
She frowned at him, not sure where he was going with this.
He frowned back. Well, think about it, Miranda. Why would a stranger go to the trouble of taking a picture of Sammy? How would a stranger even know who he was? Or who his father was?
Good questions, all of them. Unfortunately, she didnt have any good answers. She turned it over in her mind as she took a pillowcase off the line.
I suppose it might be some bizarre string of coincidences. Weird things do happen. Someone visiting the island to whom your name would be familiar, maybe, then finding out about Sammy.
It sounded weak to her. Judging from Tylers expression, it sounded pitiful to him.
I dont believe in that wild a coincidence. He unpinned a sheet and handed her one end, his fingers brushing hers. How widely known is it that Im Sammys father?
The only surprising thing was that he hadnt asked the question sooner. Islanders know, for the most part. She carefully didnt look at him. Our elopement was quite a sensation. People talk.
Gossip. He sounded uncompromising.
Talk, she said again. But folks here are used to the situation. I dont think theyd mention it to outsiders, anyway. Islanders protect their own.
Unless theres something in it for them.
She didnt know how to combat that kind of cynicism. Youre wrong, Tyler. No one here would deliberately set out to hurt me or Sammy.
Then whats left? His brows twitched, impatience returning. I cant believe in some kind of random coincidence. You cant believe your neighbors would meddle. What are we left with? Your family?
No! She planted her fists on her hips. Tyler, thats ridiculous. No one in my family would do anything like that.
According to you, no one would do it, but it happened. He ducked under the clothesline, and it brushed the top of his head. The movement brought him within inches of her, and her breath stuttered.
Get rid of your rose-colored glasses for a minute, Miranda. Someone did this thing. Someone deliberately took a picture of Sammy and sent it to me. Someone who knew I was Sammys father and knew how to reach me.
His words battered her like waves in rough surf. She brushed her hair from her eyes, looking at him.
Why? The word came out in a whisper. Why, Tyler?
He caught her hands, imprisoning them in his hard grip. Well find out, but you have to help me. We cant be on opposite sides in this.