Page 108 of Her Wild Coast Refuge

“…because he’s trouble,” Hunter finishes for me, his eyes sharp.

“I think he knows what happened to Terrilynn.”

He raises an eyebrow.

“Before she went missing, I saw him with her. I confronted him later. He denied it, but I think he’s scared.”

Hunter exhales slowly. “That bruise on your sternum. That was him?”

I shouldn’t be surprised he’s put this together.

“I’m sorry you felt like you had to keep this from me.”

I don’t try to explain that hooking up with Hayden was a twisted form of rebellion against him after granddad passed away and I felt vulnerable and misunderstood.

Wow did it backfire. “I’m sorry too.”

“I’ll find a way to get to Hayden.”

I start to protest, but he flashes his palm, and the words die in my throat.

“It won’t be linked to you.” His stern gaze steadies me. “You’re safe from him, okay?”

“Okay.”

He gathers his and Brian’s empty cups and steps over to kiss the top of my head. “I’ll be back tonight.”

I nod, and he slips inside.

A sweet-scented breeze brushes my cheek. I close my eyes and inhale, savoring the delicate blend of fresh grass and sky. Charlie releases a deep huff, as if he’s enjoying it too.

Finally, I open the envelope and peek inside. There’s a small packet of fine-print paperwork. It’s the mineral rights to the Soren Creek headwaters. The bottom line holds Dawson’s signature, with a space for mine.

Underneath the papers is a handwritten letter. Dawson’s handwriting is a blend of slanted print and cursive. I shouldn’t read it, but I can’t help myself.

Dear Lexie,

I let you down in the most painful way. I wish I could make it right.

Will you let me try?

Dawson

I tuckthe letter back into the envelope and pull my knees to my chest.

It doesn’t answer any of my questions. Why did he come to the camp? To stop me, try to fool me into believing things weren’t as bad as they seemed?

With a grimace, I remember what Grams said.Is that the only explanation?

The breeze rattles the leaves on the alders, bringing the earthy scent of their decay. Fall is just around the corner. The land will cool and the nights will lengthen.

We’ll pack up Soren Lake Lodge and get everything ready for Cooper and Sarah’s wedding. It’ll be a happy time of family and celebrating. We’ll welcome fall with William’s peewee football games and sailing on Hunter’s boat and going trick or treating with the littles on Halloween night. Then winter will creep in with snows and storms until spring.

Life will move on.

When I wakeup from an afternoon snooze, there are voices downstairs. I splash water on my face and slip into a pair of sweats and my slippers and pad down the hall.

It’s Quinn, dressed in a crisp button down and chinos.

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