Dawn in Eclipse Bay

engine went silent. The door on the driver’s side opened. Hannah’s husband, Rafe, got out, moving with the easy masculine grace that characterized all the Madison males.
    A dapper salt-and-pepper Schnauzer jumped out of the open car door after him. The dog paused and looked up toward the balcony.
    “Hello, Winston,” Lillian called down. “You’re as handsome as ever.”
    Winston bounced a little in refined appreciation of what he obviously considered no more than his due. Then he trotted briskly up the steps and disappeared under the overhanging roof.
    Rafe retrieved two grocery sacks from the interior of the car.
    “About time you guys got home,” Hannah said to him. “We were starting to wonder if the two of you had stopped off at the Total Eclipse for a beer and a fast game of pool.”
    Rafe nudged the door of the Porsche closed and looked up. He gave Hannah and Lillian the patented Madison smile, all rakish charm and a promise of trouble to come.
    “Sorry we’re a little late,” he said. “Ran into an old pal who just happened to show up in town late this afternoon. I invited him for dinner. Hope you don’t mind.”
    “Who is he?” Hannah asked curiously.
    “Just some guy I know.”
    Rafe turned to look back toward the far end of the drive. Lillian followed his gaze and saw a second set of headlights coming toward the inn.
    A dark-green Jaguar glided down the drive and stopped next to the Porsche.
    A sudden premonition sizzled through Lillian. She gripped the railing very tightly and leaned forward to get a better look.
    “No,” she muttered. “Surely he wouldn’t—”
    Hannah glanced at her in surprise. “What’s wrong?”
    Before Lillian could answer the Jag’s door opened. Gabe climbed out. His gaze went straight to the balcony.
    “Hello, Lillian,” he said much too easily. “I see you got invited to dinner, too. Isn’t this an amazing coincidence?”
    “There are no coincidences,” Lillian said darkly.
    “I’ve heard that.”
    She was intensely aware of Rafe and Hannah watching the little scene. They both looked amused and intrigued. “What are you doing here? And don’t try to tell me that you just decided to take a mini-vacation this weekend.”
    “One thing you should know about me.” Gabe walked around the front of the Jag, making for the front steps.
    “I never do anything on a whim. You’re probably thinking of Rafe, here. He’s been known to get a little wild and crazy at times.”
    “Hey, don’t look at me,” Rafe said quickly. “I’m a married man now. I’ve settled down. I only get wild and crazy with Hannah.” He gazed up at the balcony. “Isn’t that right, honey?”
    “If you know what’s good for you, it is,” Hannah said. There was warmth and laughter in the words.
    Gabe stopped at the foot of the steps and looked at Lillian. “You didn’t really believe that I was going to let you skip out on me, did you?”
    She dug her fingers into the rail. “I offered to repay your money.”
    “I don’t want a refund. I want what I paid for.”
    “I don’t believe this,” Lillian said.
    Rafe paused, one booted foot on the bottom step, and gave his brother an inquiring look. “What’s this all about? Sounds interesting.”
    “She owes me a date,” Gabe explained. “I paid for six. I only got five.”
    “That is not true,” Lillian said loudly.
    “It is true,” Gabe assured Rafe and Hannah. “I’ve got a signed contract to prove it.”
    Aware of Rafe’s and Hannah’s thinly veiled amusement, Lillian felt called upon to defend herself. “He lied on the questionnaire.”
    “You’re just saying that to cover up the fact that you did such a lousy job of matching me. Bottom line here is that I’ve got another date coming.”
    “Lots of luck,” she shot back. “Nobody gets any more dates from Private Arrangements. The company is out of business. You’ll have to get your last date somewhere else.”
    Gabe started up the steps. “Nobody takes my money and leaves town without delivering the goods.”
    “For crying out loud.” Lillian leaned a little farther out over the rail. “This is ridiculous. You can’t possibly be serious about one lousy date.”
    “When it comes to business, I’m always serious.” He disappeared into the house.
    “That’s my brother for you,” Rafe said, mockingly apologetic. “Could have written the book on how not to get screwed in a business deal. He fixates, you know?”
    Before Lillian could