“I like him,” Chad grinned, reaching out and flipping the pompom on the bear’s cap. “I…”

“Hi.”

They looked up to find Camp standing there, a beer bottle in one hand, a dark brown hard cola bottle in the other and a combination of distrust and questioning on his face.

“Oh, Camp, you startled me.”

“Harm.”

“Comstock.”

“I was just showing Chad the bear you won for me.”

“Very cute,” Comstock added. “I’ve never heard of betting on rats before.”

Holding the hard cola bottle out to her, he felt a twinge of something. Not quite anger but he definitely didn’t like finding Comstock sitting there, Elgin practically in his lap.

“Personally,” Harm told him coolly, “I don’t like rats. Sneaky little bastards. Always trying to slink in when you’re back’s turned and make off with your goodies. But Elgin really wanted the bear so…” he shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her. “What’s a guy gonna do?”

Elgin didn’t know whether to be appalled or amused. They were behaving like stray tomcats circling a mouse or a fresh fish. Why did men always think women found these displays of possessiveness and jealousy flattering? Especially in a situation like this where Chad knew how she felt about Harm and Harm had not expressed any serious, long-term intentions to her.

Yet there they stood, Chad deliberately baiting Harm and Harm fairly twitching for a fight. If she’d been watching two other idiots and another woman, the ludicrous scene would probably have made her laugh and ended up in one of her books. Happening to her though, reduced its comic value considerably.

“Howdy everybody.”

Jim Fisher strolled up and stood beside Harm, a bottle of beer in his hand, Tom trailing behind like a bewildered puppy, clutching a can of soda and gaping in all directions. He’d put on a clean pair of jeans and a white T-shirt with a waving flag on the front. His hair had been combed and slicked into place. The difference made him look almost handsome, she mused.

“Jim,” she smiled, glad for the interruption of the tension. “Happy Fourth.”

“Same to you Ellie. Camp. Mr. Comstock.” He turned slightly. “You remember Tom? Works for me down at the marina.”

“Of course. Glad you could make the party, Tom.”

“Thanks, Ma’am,” he answered quietly. “Mr. Marty, he invited me hisself. Came right up ta me an’ said, ‘You be sure ta have Jim…Mr. F., bring ya along ta my party. Gonna be lots a food an’ drink and afterwards we’re gonna go out on ‘The Monkey’ an’ watch the fireworks.’” He gazed at all the people and shook his head.

“Didn’t know there was this many people in the whole a Spirit Cove. Guess that’s why Mr. Marty had his shindig here at this hotel. Too big fer just a house er even ‘The Monkey.’ I think I’m gonna go over an’ look at the cowboys.”

“All right, Tom,” Jim told him gently, “but you be careful to stay out of the way and don’t get too close to the fire. And don’t go wanderin’ off.”

“Yes sir, Mr. F.,” the older man assured him like an obedient six-year old. “I won’t get inta nothin’ an’ I’ll stay close.” With that, he ambled away toward the grills.

“It was nice of Marty of invite him,” Chad commented watching the little figure disappear into the crowd.”

“Ah hell, Marty didn’t invite him,” Jim replied with a laugh. “Marty wouldn’t know Tom if he ran over him. Just one a Tom’s fanciful ideas. He’s seen Marty down at the marina and heard all the talk about the party and he sort of ‘imagined’ Marty talkin’ to him. But everybody knows Marty just throws open the doors on the Fourth so I knew he wouldn’t mind. Made sure he cleaned up enough to be presentable though. Speakin’ a which, I just wanted to say how pretty you look, Ellie. That sun dress looks real nice on you.”

“Thank you, Jim, that’s very sweet. I bought it especially for this party. I just hope it doesn’t get too cold out on the boat tonight.”

“Marty wouldn’t let that happen. You think he’s gonna let a little thing like Mother Nature screw up his big Fourth of July party? Hell no. He’s probably paid off the old gal to go to Florida or somethin’. Even the full moon doesn’t come up ‘til almost midnight. Wouldn’t dare show her face before that.”

They all laughed heartily.

“Well, I’ve got to be moving along,” Chad told them. “I promised Marty I’d check to make sure all the canvases were crated up properly. The truck will be here tomorrow to take them to the airport. You know what a stickler he is.”

“Canvases?” Harm asked.

“Uh-huh. I’m taking several of my paintings to the coast tomorrow. Meeting with a gallery owner who’s interested in perhaps giving me a show. I’m leaving and I doubt seriously I’ll be back before Labor Day.” He glanced at Elgin and smiled wistfully. “Even though I regret not getting up to the plate, I at least hoped to stick around in the on-deck circle. Just in case you had a change in the line up.”

“If I don’t see you again tonight, Chad, I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Leave enough time to have a last cup of coffee.”

“I will Ellie, I promise. Good night everyone.”

“Good night,” Jim called as he retreated. Harm didn’t say anything, just quickly moved to the glider beside Elgin.

“What was all that baseball crap?” he inquired, trying to sound casual but not succeeding.

“Nothing,” she told him softly. “Nothing at all.”

“Well, I don’t know about you two,” Fisher chuckled, draining the last of his drink, “but I’m gonna see about another beer and see when we’re gonna eat. Barbecue’s startin’ to smell real good.” He turned and moved slowly away.

“You hungry?”

“Not right this minute. Even if they are serving, the line will be a mile long and I’m sure they’re not going to run out of food. Marty’s probably got enough to feed Spirit Cove for a week. I’d just like to sit here with you for a minute and enjoy the sunset.” She looped her arm through his and laid her head on his shoulder. The glider rocked slowly and silently they watched the picture postcard scene spread out before them.

Elgin could never remember such peace, such a feeling of ‘rightness’ before. More than anything else, she wanted to stay in this glider, the warm sun hanging low over the blue water, with Camp sitting beside her forever. Make time stand still so that not another day, another moment passed. They’d just stay like this and live happily ever after.

“I think I’ll go get another beer,” Camp chuckled. “But I think I’m going to have to make room for it. Can I bring you back another hard cola?”

“Well, as long as you’re going that way. And since the guest bathroom off the living room will probably have a line, go straight through and down the hall towards the east wing. Second door on the left is a guestroom. The door will probably be closed but you can just go right in. Bathroom’s on the right.”

“Thanks. When I get back, we’ll walk over and see what’s for dinner.”

“I’ll be right here, promise.” They shared a kiss and she watched him stride leisurely toward the house. Camp’d been gone only a few moments when a young waiter approached her.

“Ma’am, the gentleman asked me to give this to you.” He held out a piece of folded white paper. When she took it, he nodded once and scurried back toward the house.

Curious, she unfolded it.

Snagged a blanket and a bottle of champagne. Meet you in the clearing just north of the house.

Horny rascal, she thought as she slipped the note in her pocket, picked up her bear and turned toward the steps leading down from the deck to the grounds below. The bathroom thing had been a ruse to spring his naughty little surprise on her. In the huge crowd, everyone concentrating on dinner, no one would even notice their absence. Marty wouldn’t come looking for them until it was time to leave for the marina, at least another hour and a half. They’d have plenty of time to, as Harm had suggested, make their own fireworks.