Page 38 of Island Whispers

“Why don’t we go down to the beach again?” he suggested. The outing would be good for both of them. “It’s a gorgeous evening.” The overcast skies had given way to a clear night. “I hear the Carolinas have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.”

“You heard that from me.” Her lips tilted up at the corner.

He fought not to lean in and kiss that half-smile.

“It’ll be dark soon,” she pointed out.

“I’m good with stargazing.” For now. Out in public, he had to keep his hands to himself. He wondered again—always—why she’d walked away that night. Did her decision to sneak away make it easier for her to ignore that spark now? He resisted the temptation to ask her outright. She had enough stress right now.

“Okay, let’s go.” Though she smiled, there wasn’t much warmth behind it. She glanced back at her shop. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise,” he assured her. “Jess has reinforcements in place. Some local, some remote, monitoring cameras.” He was pretty sure Jess had called in every available protector to get a handle on this situation.

“Lila’s bakery was vandalized even with surveillance,” Nina grumbled. “Sorry. That’s rude and it wasn’t your fault. A totally different situation.”

“I’m sure it was.” All he knew about Lila’s case was that it was over.

Boone would be happier if Spratt only had vandalism on his mind. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the jerk’s MO. He leaned more toward dominance through personal violence, from his very first crime on record. Grabbing purses and picking pockets hadn’t been good enough for Spratt back in Baltimore. He’d managed to injure every victim and still get away.

Spratt’s focus on Nina was problematic and his ability to evade the authorities even more worrisome. Still, there was nothing more Boone could do right this minute.

Ever alert, he matched Nina’s leisurely pace as they walked away from the town center and across the path boardwalk that protected the dunes. There were people lingering on the beach, though he imagined the crowds would be thicker come tourist season.

Overhead, Venus was already shining brightly as twilight fell and stars winked to life. “I can’t imagine how you get anything done, knowing these views are out here.”

She chuckled as she stepped out of her sandals. “It’s home.” Her lips tilted to one side. “My parents raised me not to take it for granted. Everyone raves about Charleston—with good reason, but I think Brookwell is better.”

He toed off his shoes as well, leaving them beside hers. “Do you want the rest of the world to know that?”

“Yes and no.” She stared up at the sky once more. “As a business owner, I’m all for tourism. We need the revenue. As a hometown girl, I’m allowed to appreciate the off-season.”

He laughed. “Balance can be a tricky thing.” There was a lesson in there somewhere, but he wasn’t inclined to go searching for it right this minute.

“Mm-hm.”

They walked a little further, the twilight deepening all around them.

“I do owe you an apology,” she said.

He wasn’t sure he needed it anymore. This time with her had given him a peek into her life, her world. He tucked his hands into his pockets. “For what?”

She shot him a look. “Running away. Y’know… After.”

“After what?” He was teasing and realized too late it was the wrong time. Her expression crumbled and she wrapped her arms tightly around her middle. “Hey, that was supposed to be a joke. I didn’t mean to make it awkward.”

“Hardly.” She blew out a long breath. “I made it plenty awkward all by myself.”

“You can tell me anything, Nina. I’m here to protect you, not to judge anything. Past or present,” he added, “just so we’re clear.”

“Thanks.”

She meandered past the tide pools, closer to the waterline, and he trailed along, the wet sand squishing under his feet.

“The thing is, I don’t have a good explanation,” she admitted, her voice barely audible over the constant throbbing of the ocean. “At the time it made sense to me. One incredible, anonymous night was perfect.”

It sure had been. He wished she’d look at him.

“In your hotel room, I convinced myself that staying was clingy. Needy.” She shook out her hands, the way she did after a tedious design task. “I was sure we’d wake up and not have anything to say.”

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