He raised his eyebrows. “Maybe...?” he prodded.
Looking a bit sheepish, she scuffed the toe of one flip-flop against the floor. “Well, maybe he’s noticed me looking at him a few times. I mean, I think I’ve been discreet about it.”
Aaron had a strong suspicion that discreet and Shelby were two words rarely used in the same sentence. He shook his head. “I’ll unpack, then head over to the grill for something to eat before they close. If I happen to notice anything nefarious going on in the cabin next door, I’ll be sure and let you know.”
She gave him a quick frown, as if trying to determine if she was being mocked, but then she laughed. “Okay, you do that,” she said good-naturedly. “Maybe we should have a secret code word.”
“Nebraska,” he suggested, because for some reason that was the first word that popped into his mind.
Giggling, she nodded and moved toward the door. “Right. If I hear you say Nebraska, I’ll know you found signs of nefariousness. Um, nefariousness is a word, right?”
He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“And we need another code word for danger,” she suggested, carrying the teasing a bit further. “Since we’re naming states, how about Minnesota?”
“Minnesota sounds very ominous,” he agreed, tongue-in-cheek. “If I ever feel in danger, I’ll say Minnesota.”
“And I’ll rush to your rescue.” She paused with a hand on the doorknob, looking over her shoulder at him with a bright smile. “So, I’ll see you later?”
“You will most definitely see me later,” he assured her.
He was gratified by the slight wave of pink in her cheeks when she slipped out the door. Maybe there had been no sparks between Shelby and Andrew—but he didn’t think he was imagining the sizzle between her and himself. And while it was unlikely that the attraction would lead to anything, considering that they were surrounded by her entire family, he certainly wouldn’t mind flirting with her while he was here, however long that might be.
He drew his phone out of his pocket. He needed to let the family know he was out of town for a few days. And he had a few questions for his twin.
Chapter Three
“Where the hell are you?” Andrew demanded in lieu of a greeting when he answered his phone.
“I’m fine, bro, thanks for asking.”
Andrew didn’t bother to respond to Aaron’s sarcastic comment. “Everyone was expecting you at the graduation party for Miles last night. Mom said you called her and told her you were headed out of town for a few days, but she thought you’d wait until after the party to leave. Dad’s ticked at you for just taking off without telling anyone where you were going.”
“I told them I wasn’t in the mood for a party. I specifically said I wouldn’t be there.”
“They thought you’d change your mind. Mom seemed really surprised when you didn’t show up.”
“I’m sure there were plenty of people there to celebrate the occasion,” Aaron muttered, pushing down a ripple of defensive guilt. “I sent Miles a graduation gift.”
There was always some sort of family gathering in the extended Walker clan. A birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, a housewarming, a birth. He and Andrew had thirteen first cousins just on their dad’s side, and another generation was well underway. The family had gathered last night at their cousin Brynn Walker D’Alessandro’s house to commemorate the high school graduation of Brynn and Joe’s son, Miles. So not only would many of the Walkers have been in attendance, but a good number of D’Alessandros had also been invited.
Even knowing he risked general disapproval with his absence, Aaron just couldn’t make himself attend. It had been about the time he should have been leaving for the party when he’d impulsively decided to escape to the lake for a few days. Someplace where no one would know him or any other member of his illustrious family. He guessed the joke was on him.
“So, Andrew. Tell me about the Bell family.”
A rather lengthy silence followed before Andrew cleared his throat and asked, “The Bell family?”
“Bell Resort and Marina? I’d think you’d remember, since you are apparently the Bell family hero.”
“Tell me you aren’t at the resort.”
“I could tell you that, but it would be a lie. I needed a place to get away for a few days. I’m sure you can figure out why. I didn’t expect to be greeted with genuflects when the folks here mistook me for you.”
“How did you end up there, anyway?”
“I found a brochure in—well, near your trash can yesterday. It looked ideal, and since you’d thrown the brochure away, I figured you weren’t interested and I wouldn’t have to worry about running into you or the rest of the family. I’d be completely anonymous. As usual, my plan didn’t work out quite as I expected.”
“Well, what do you expect?” Andrew asked with unmistakable exasperation. “You take off out of the blue to someplace you learn about from my trash can and you’re surprised there are complications?”