Page 43 of Island Holiday

No.No.

That wasn’t true. Hannah had raised the alarm when Sonya had tried to solve her problems with her criminal boss by herself. Hannah had spent Christmas with an undercover fiancé, lying to Harper, just to save Sonya. Harper had bravely gone the extra mile for her too. Later, Connor had persisted in his search for her, bringing Sonya back into the real world when she’d been so damn scared to come out of hiding.

These past days, he’d worked with her, trusted her intuition, and saved her from herself when that desperate, clawing fear had pushed her into mistakes.

Jess squeezed her arm. “More good news!”

“Paramedics on the dock?” Sonya asked. Connor had a cut over his eye, a busted lip, his knuckles were bloody, and his jaw was puffing up.

“That too. Relax, Connor will be fine.”

“Hm.” But Jess’s excitement earned Sonya’s full attention. “What am I missing?”

“Police found diamonds in the condo.”

“Seriously?”

Jess turned the phone for Sonya to read the message and see the photos. “Merry Christmas to the Guardian Agency.” She nudged Sonya. “Good work, you.”

“Connor did the heavy lifting.” More than once.

“You recognized Mertens in the money trail.”

That was true.

“Without thatteamwork,” Jess continued, “I wouldn’t have asked them to search the condo.” She tapped her phone against her knee. “We’ll have someone comb through the security cameras in the immediate area for a possible lead.”

It didn’t surprise her that Mertens might be multitasking with the property. “Someone should definitely question whoever rents that condo next.”

“I’m sure the authorities will follow that same logic. They’ll watch activity on this condo, the condo in Myrtle Beach, and any other rentals or properties we can tie to her. The Coast Guard is also watching the tour area Zimmer requested when he booked the charter.”

“Not the Hargrave B&B,” Sonya said, thinking it through. “The sisters who own that one aren’t involved. Hosting Zimmer was basically a coincidence. He must’ve visited to check out the marina.”

“I know the sisters.” Jess arched an eyebrow. “Your tendency to protect the innocent is admirable.”

Sonya wasn’t comfortable with the compliment. Diligence and discipline were simply part of who she was. How she did her work.

At the hotel dock, Sonya and Connor said goodbye to Jess, Knox, and Logan. After a round of holiday wishes and invitations they politely declined, the charter boat continued on toward Brookwell Island.

They stood together, watching the boat glide away under the gorgeous dusky sky.

She couldn’t quite look at him, feeling guilty for every scrape and bruise he’d endured for her. His feet were still bare and he was probably chilled. “We should get moving.” She started walking. “Be careful of splinters.”

“Not my primary concern.” He gently drew her gaze away from the river. “Are we good?”

“Sure,” she said too brightly. “Case closed.”

He spread his arms, inviting her in for a hug. She hesitated a beat too long and he tucked his hands into his pockets. “You did it,” he said. “Those girls will celebrate Christmas at home.”

She couldn’t reply, the emotions tumbling through her in a chaotic mess. This was the best and worst holiday of her life. The rescue, the time with Connor, the fear of everything that could’ve gone wrong.

But the rescue had gone right.

She didn’t know what to do, how to behave in this strange space. Part of her felt effervescent, eager to celebrate the successful takedown. Part of her wanted to collapse in a heap and never do anything so outrageous again.

Then reality settled over her and all she could think of was kissing him.

So she did that.

---