Page 102 of Her Wild Coast Refuge

“What?”

I laugh, and it makes me feel a hundred pounds lighter. “You saw in me what I didn’t have the courage to accept. You did that, Lexie. You led me back to myself. To the person I’d always longed to be. For that, I’d give you the moon.”

She gives me a kind smile. “I don’t want the moon, Dawson.”

My chest tightens. “Then tell me what you do.”

Tears spill down her cheeks, but she wipes them away. “A shower. A soft bed. Food.” She laughs, then her eyes turn pained. “Rest.”

Though it hurts that she didn’t add me to her list, I kiss her forehead. “Okay.”

After another precious moment, she slips from my embrace and her family sweeps her away.

A tall, fit man with Lexie’s eyes breaks from the group. “I’m Cooper. That’s my truck you’ve been riding around in all week.”

For an instant, I think he’s going to punch me, but he extends his hand and we shake.

“You okay?” He frowns. “I heard about your burns, and your partner’s concussion.”

“We’re good.”

He stares at me for a long beat. “How did you know she was up there?”

I smile, but it hurts my cheeks. “It wasn’t that difficult.”

“She would do anything to protect what she loves.” He runs his hand through his hair and exhales a firm breath. “I knew the fires weren’t her doing, though. Not after what happened to Reid.”

He must see the confused look on my face, because he adds, “our brother. He was killed in an…accident. There was a fire.”

With the strain in his voice and the way he’s having difficulty keeping eye contact, it’s clear this isn’t an easy subject. “I’m so sorry.”

He nods, his mouth set in a firm line. “Thanks.”

I remember the picture of the McCabe family on the wall of the lodge. The boy I couldn’t place must be Reid.

So not only have they lost their parents, but their youngest son?

“I knew Lexie wasn’t to blame for the fires either.”

His eyes soften. “You going to join us? I have a feeling it’s going to be a bit of a party.”

I shake my head. “Not until Lexie wants that.”

Cooper’s face goes still. “All right then.” We shake again, and he follows the last of the entourage out the door.

The driveto the hospital passes in a blur. When I arrive, Brielle is pacing outside Quinn’s room, barking into her cell phone and drawing wary looks from the nursing staff behind their station. The instant she sees me, she hangs up.

“You and I need to uncluster this fuckup. Now,” she says in an icy tone.

Keeping my voice down, I lean against the wall, crossing my arms. “Were you going to tell me you’d already made several deliveries up there, or leave me in the dark?”

Her eyes twitch. “There was no reason you wouldn’t sign. I was just being proactive. Winter comes to this godforsaken place by Labor Day.”

My neck prickles, but I refuse to take her bait. “But I didn’t sign.”

She gives me an impatient glare. “Which is why I travelled all this way. To make sure you do.”

“It won’t matter now.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “I gave her the mineral tenure, Bee.”

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