Page 110 of Her Wild Coast Refuge

“What’s this?”

“You’ll need chargers for the electric SUVs.”

“What electric SUVs?”

“The ones being delivered September tenth. Your new Soren Lake Lodge shuttle vehicles.”

Okay, what?

Quinn opens the passenger door of a blue Prius with rental plates.

I get in and Quinn drops into the driver’s seat. While my thoughts and curiosity tumble together, we drive down the gravel road to the highway.

It takes me a minute to realize we’re not headed for the vacation rental. Instead, Quinn heads towards Evan and Jared’s. Before I can ask Quinn what’s going on, he turns down their road. We pass the strawberry farm and the horse boarding place, and then Quinn turns on the road paralleling Jared and Evan’s property, past the school buildings, barn, and the lake, to a clearing. Nestled in a grove of tall pines and flanked by high meadow grass and wildflowers is a cabin.

Standing in the doorway is Dawson.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

LEXIE

The dense,fragrant mountain air fills my senses when I step from the car.

At the doorway, Dawson smiles.

“What is this?” I ask.

“Come have a look,” Dawson replies, stepping back to let me in.

There are two rooms. The floor and walls aren’t finished, but there are big windows, a wood stove, and what I think is a small refrigerator, still in its box.

There’s more, though. Inside the second room, it looks like a crafter’s dream space. A wall system with every tool imaginable is mounted above a desk with a high-powered lamp and a swiveling magnifying glass. A set of narrow drawers for supplies line the other wall, waiting to be filled. On the right side of the room, on a lab table is a white metal box.

“Is that a kiln?” I ask.

Dawson smiles.

I take one last look at the room. It’s perfect.

“Solar panels go on next week. With the extra storage system, you’ll be able to run the kiln once or twice a week.”

I spin around, my heart twisting into a knot. “This is for me?”

His eyes glisten. He nods. “It’s yours.”

Everything in one place. It hits me. “You…made this happen.”

“I had help,” he says with a chuckle. “Your brothers insisted.”

I wipe the edges of my eyes, trying to find the words that express what I’m feeling.

“Evan mentioned getting you to teach for Eagle Ridge someday. And I think he liked the idea of having you close. Plus I couldn’t build on your family’s homestead without your permission, and you weren’t exactly taking my calls.”

“I’m sorry.”

He steps closer. “Don’t be.”

“Dawson, this is…I can’t believe it.” I shake my head. Emotions fizzle in the pit of my stomach. I want to cry and squeal with glee.

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