Page 72 of The House Beyond the Dunes

“I haven’t asked around yet, but I’ll figure out who broke into that house. Sooner or later, someone up here talks.”

“What’s the point of destroying that house?”

“I don’t know. But I owe it to Kyle to find out who decided to mess his shit up. Some people like to destroy things just for fun.”

“Like Earl?”

He stares at me. “Earl wasn’t crazy about Kyle, but he’s never done something like this.”

In this kind of isolation, there could only be so many people who would try to destroy a vacant house. “Does that happen up here a lot?”

“Not that often. Believe it or not, there are enough people around even in the winter to keep an eye out. Hard for an outsider to blend in and not be seen. You screw with someone’s stuff, and you’ll be found.” His words have an ominous ring.

“Have you talked to Devon? She seems pretty dialed in.”

He frowns. “I’ll catch up with her soon. The last few days have been crazy.”

“Should I ask what they do to thieves up here?”

He shakes his head as if an answer isn’t necessary, or maybe prudent. “Someone will say something eventually, and then I’ll know. Criminals rarely keep their mouths shut for long.”

“Kyle didn’t say a word about it as we were driving here.”

“He had his mind on other things.”

Heat rises in my face. He’s right. Kyle wasn’t focused on the house across the street.

Reece shifts his stance. He’s hanging around and not drinking coffee for my benefit. “Are you going to be okay?”

An old heaviness settles on my shoulders. “Sure.”

“You’re safe up here,” he says, sensing my hesitation. “I’m across the street, and everyone in a ten-mile radius knows it.”

Knowing he is close is a comfort. “I’ll be fine. And thank you for the conversation. And soothing my crazy thoughts.”

A light in his eyes softens his features. “Sure thing.”

I walk him to the front door and open it. Cold chills race toward me and swirl around.

As he turns, he pauses. “I’m grilling out about six. Join me. Hanging out together will make New Year’s a little less lonely.”

I swell with anticipation. Seems so odd I should feel this close to a stranger, considering I was here with Kyle two days ago. What’s going on with me? This sudden attraction for Reece can’t be real and must stem from grief or fear. The plain truth is, Reece is all I have up here.

I smile. “Sure, that sounds nice. What can I bring?”

“Just yourself. Grilling burgers and potato chips. Simple fare.”

“Would you rather grill here? I suspect the house across the street is a construction zone.”

He looks around the house, and I can’t tell if he is saddened, annoyed, or resentful of the space. “Nah, let’s do this at my place. It’s now habitable.”

“Sounds good.”

As he moves down the front stairs, his booted feet are oddly nimble. I watch his body move, strong and forceful, and again am surprised by my attraction. What I’m feeling now is different from what I felt for Kyle. More primal. Unrestrained. That realization catches me off guard. I’ve never done anything that’s primitive. Even the kisses I shared with Kyle were restrained. I’m always careful, always controlled. Always thinking about the move that will keep me safe.

And yet, I like Reece Trent. Is there a time limit on watching someone die and then moving on to the next relationship? Shouldn’t I be so filled with sorrow that there’s no room for anything else? What’s wrong with me?

Back inside the foyer, I close the door. Again, the quiet waits for me. Reece has checked all the closets, and he’s looked under the beds. I’m alone. I’m safe. Right?

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