Delighted with the idea, he strolled along, head down, as the wind screamed in his ears and the ugly mix of ice and snow swirled and spat.

Just look at him, Ripley thought. Out in this mess when he doesn’t have to be. Not looking where he’s going and bopping along as if it’s a sunny day in July.

The man needs a keeper.

She would just have to take on the job.

She started toward him, then judging time and distance, planted herself. And let him walk straight into her.

“Jeez.” Since she was braced and he wasn’t, he went skidding. Reflexively he grabbed her, and that took them both on a fast slide. “Sorry.”

But she was laughing, and the little elbow jab she gave him was friendly. “How many walls do you walk into on your average day?”

“I don’t count. It’s demoralizing. Gosh, you’re pretty.” He grabbed her again, but was steady this time. Lifting her to her toes, he planted a long, warm kiss on her mouth.

Her system tilted, sweetly. “What I am is cold and wet. My nose is red, and my toes are ice cubes. Zack and I just spent a miserable hour out on the coast road. We’ve got power lines down, and cars off the road, and the best part of a tree through Ed Sutter’s workshop roof.”

“Nice work if you can get it.”

“Very funny. I think the worst of it’ll blow out by tomorrow,” she said, looking, as islanders had for centuries, out to sea and sky. Both were gray as pewter. “But we’re going to be cleaning up after this one for a while yet. What the hell are you doing out here? You lose power?”

“It was on when I left. I wanted some decent coffee.” He clued in to the direction from which she’d come, and the direction she’d been going. “Were you coming to check on me?”

“It’s my job to check on the residents of our happy little rock.”

“That’s really considerate of you, Deputy Todd. How about I buy you a cup of coffee?”

“I could use it, and someplace warm and dry for ten minutes.”

He took her hand as they headed into the wind up High Street. “How about if I buy a quart of soup and whatever, take it home? We can have dinner at my place later.”

“Chances of the power lasting in the cottage through the night are slim. We’ve got a generator at our place. Why don’t you pack what you need and plan on staying there tonight?”

“Is Nell cooking?”

“Is grass green?”

“I’m there.” He pulled open the door for her.

Like magic, Lulu popped out from behind a bookshelf. “I should’ve known it was a couple of lunatics. Sensible people are home whining about the weather.”

“Why aren’t you?” Ripley asked.

“Because there are just enough lunatics on this island to keep the store open. Got a few of them up in the café right now.”

“That’s where we’re heading. Did Nell go home?”

“Not yet. Mia cut her loose, but she’s sticking. Didn’t see why Peg should have to come out in this when she was already here. We’re closing early, in an hour, anyhow.”

“Good to know.”

Ripley pulled off her soaked cap as she started up the stairs. “Do me a favor?” she said to Mac.

“Sure.”

“Can you hang around till closing, make sure Nell gets home safe?”

“Glad to.”

“Thanks. It’ll be a load off. I can let Zack know, and he won’t worry.”

“I’ll ask her to come by my place, help me get my stuff together.”

Ripley shot him a smirk. “Pretty smart, aren’t you?”

“People are always saying so.” He kept her hand in his as they walked to the café counter.

“Zack just called,” Nell told them. “You’ve had a hell of a day, haven’t you?”

“Goes with the territory. You can give me two large coffees to go, and I’ll take one back to him. This guy’s springing for them,” she added, jerking a thumb at Mac.

“A large for me, too, but I’ll have it here. And . . . is that apple pie?”

“It is. Want a slice warm?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Ripley leaned on the counter, idly scanning the café. “I better tell you I invited Mac’s appetite to dinner, and to bunk over.”

“We’re having chicken pot pie.”

Mac’s face lit up. “Homemade chicken pot pie?”

Nell laughed as she fit tops on the takeout cups. “You’re too easy.”

Ripley shifted her body away from the table area. “Who’s the guy sitting by himself?” she asked Nell.

“Brown sweater, city boots.”

“I don’t know. It’s the first time he’s been in. I got the impression he was staying at the hotel. He came in about a half hour ago.”

“Did you chat him up?”

Nell cut a generous slab of pie for Mac. “I spoke with him in a friendly manner. He came in on the ferry a couple of days ago, just beat the nor’easter. People do come here, Ripley.”

“It’s just an odd time for a slicker to head over. No business groups at the hotel now. Anyway.” She took the cups Nell set on the counter. “Thanks. See you later,” she said to Mac, and might have warded off the kiss if her hands hadn’t been full.

“Be careful out there.” He yanked her cap out of her pocket and tugged it onto her head. Harding watched the byplay from behind the newspaper he’d brought over from the hotel. He’d recognized Ripley Todd from his files. Just as he’d recognized Nell. It didn’t explain his reaction to both. He’d expected to feel a nice zing of anticipation as he lined up the players on the stage. Instead, in each case he’d felt nearly ill. A kind of white-hot fury had pumped through him when he’d topped the steps and seen Nell back at the café counter.

He’d been forced to turn away, to walk behind book-shelves until he had himself under control. There he’d sweated like a pig. And had imagined his hands closing around her throat. The violence of the experience had nearly caused him to turn around and leave. But it had passed, almost as swiftly as it had come. And he’d remembered his purpose.

The story, the book. Fame and fortune.

He’d been able to approach the counter, to order lunch, with his usual calm. He wanted a day or two to observe her and the others before he attempted to interview them.