The Spyglass Portal: A Lighthouse Novel by Stacey Coverstone Page B

of Chad. She had to, if she was going to completely relax around him.
    “Would you like to see my studio?” he asked, to change the topic once again.
    “Sure.”
    The sun porch that he’d turned into his studio was light and airy—and messy. It was definitely an artist’s haven. She admired the paintings on the wallsand when she asked, he explained his technique and talked about the importance of color, texture and mood in a painting. It was obvious that creating art was his love and his life.
    The barking of a dog outside interrupted their banter. Aidan peeked out the window and his grin widened. “Come on. There’s someone out there I want you to meet.” He grasped Samantha’s hand and led her through the kitchen and out the back door.
    Her mouth parted at the sight of Jason Murphy holding a leash that was attached to the collar of a rowdy German shepherd dog. “Paddy,” Sam whispered under her breath as the dog barked again and jumped on Aidan.
    “Get down, Jason commanded, jerking on the leash. “Don’t let him do that, Aidan. You know I’m trying to train him to have manners.”
    “Sorry.” Aidan laughed and let the dog lick his chin before extricating its huge paws from his chest.
    Once Jason got the dog to sit, Aidan made the introductions. “Samantha, this is Jason Murphy. He and his mom own the—”
    “I know him,” Sam interjected. Her curious gaze swung between Jason, the dog, and Aidan, and landed back on Jason. “I thought you didn’t know Aidan,” she said pointedly. “Your mother told me she’d never heard of him before.” Anger flared in the pit of her stomach at having been deceived. “I knew she was lying to me. But why?” She squinted at Jason with accusation, and from the wounded look on his face she knew she’d hurt his feelings but didn’t care.
    “I…I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stuttered. His lips drew tight. “We’ve known Aidan for a long time.”
    “No you haven’t!” she exclaimed. “I specifically asked your mother at the restaurant if she knew him and she said no. Which of you is telling the truth and which of you is a liar?”
    The dog started to whine. When Jason smacked him on the head, Sam shouted, “Don’t hit Paddy!”
    “Who’s Paddy?” he asked in his simple way.
    “This dog.” She jabbed her finger into the dog’s thick fur.
    “His name isn’t Paddy. This is Bowzer.”
    Samantha’s voice climbed an octave, and she felt her nerves twang. “Bowzer? You’re kidding me, right? Stop it. This dog’s name is Paddy!” She whirled toward Aidan. “You know this is Paddy, don’t you?”
    When she clenched her fist, Aidan gripped her arm and held fast. “Hold on a minute, Sam. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but there’s no need to lose your temper and shout at Jason. Or at me.”
    “Paddy’s a stupid name for a dog,” Jay mumbled.
    She shot daggers at him with her eyes. What kind of fool did they think she was? Wrenching free from Aidan’s hold, she glared at him. “Are you telling me you know this man?”
    Aidan’s tone was composed. “Yes, of course. Everyone in the cove knows the Murphy family.”
    “And this dog belongs to him?”
    “Yes.”
    She expelled a puff of air and whipped around on her heel, feeling like a volcano about to explode. “Excuse me, but I have to go.”
    “Don’t leave,” Aidan called after her. But she dared not look back, knowing if she stayed a moment longer, she’d say something she’d really regret.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
    She stormed into the lighthouse, slammed the door, and stomped up the staircase to the bedroom. “I’m not staying in this insane place one more minute,” she muttered while unzipping and tossing her empty suitcases onto the bed. “I’m going home where I belong.” After jerking open the squeaky dresser drawers, she flung clothes into the suitcases, unconcerned with folding them or packing neatly. The sooner she could get in her