Page 76 of Saving it with My Best Friend's Brother

“Speaking of community,” Van added, arm secure around Taylor, “Catch the Dream’s summer programs are still on. Kids need something good to believe in, now more than ever.” Passion threaded through his voice, the same fire that had made him a baseball legend.

Warmth spread through my chest at their support, at Hunter’s solid presence. The office felt different now—not haunted by secrets, but humming with possibility.

“We should help with cleanup,” I said reluctantly, not wanting to leave the quiet safety of Hunter’s arms, our family circle.

“In a minute.” Hunter turned me to face him, his hands warm on my shoulders. “First, I need to say something. Without bombs or criminals or interrupted moments.”

My heart skipped at something in his tone. “Hunter...”

“I love you.” His hands framed my face, thumbs gentle on my cheeks. “Not because of Pine Haven or family legacies or shared trauma. Just because you’re you—the woman who faces every challenge with grace and strength I fall for more each day.”

Tears pricked my eyes as truth wrapped around me like a warm blanket. “I love you too. Even when you’re being overprotective and stubborn and—”

His kiss silenced me, sweet and full of promise. Coffee and something deeper mingled on my tongue—hope, maybe, or the future. Behind us, Taylor made exaggerated gagging noises while Van laughed, sounds of family and belonging.

A knock broke the moment. Sandra Martinez stood in the doorway looking triumphant, her suit showing battle scars from the night’s chaos.

“Sorry to interrupt, but you need to see this.” She held up a worn document, edges softened by time. “Reviewing the originalresort charter—there’s a land preservation clause that changes everything.”

“How?” Hunter kept one arm around me, his warmth steady against my side.

“It establishes Pine Haven as a historical trust.” Victory brightened Sandra’s eyes. “Any development needs community board approval, not just county officials. Your mother made sure of that, Amelia.”

Hope bloomed warm in my chest. “So even with Wheeler gone...”

“The resort’s protected.” Sandra smiled, raising the document bearing Mom’s familiar signature. “As long as the community supports it.”

I watched people gathering below, their lights crossing like earthbound stars. Friends, neighbors, and families who’d built memories here. Their support had never wavered.

“Well,” Hunter’s lips brushed my temple, “looks like we have work to do.”

“Together?” I echoed our earlier words.

His smile held promises. “Always.”

As we headed down, the lobby hummed with volunteers restoring order. Michael sat with Dad near the fireplace, both worn but reconciled. Flames painted shadows across their faces as they whispered. Secrets finally laid bare. I ached seeing them together, knowing how long they’d carried their burdens alone.

“They’ll be okay.” Taylor appeared with coffee that smelled of home, her therapist’s insight gentle. “You all will.”

Across the room, Hunter coordinated a crisis response with Claire. Even exhausted, he drew people in with natural leadership. When he caught my gaze, his smile fluttered in my stomach like that first night.

“You know,” Taylor nudged me, the familiar smell of her hand cream mixing with coffee steam, “I always knew this would happen.”

“What?”

“You and Hunter. After you visited when Chad was born, I saw how he looked at you.”

Heat crept up my neck. “He didn’t—”

“Oh, he did.” Her arm linked through mine, sisterly and sure. “Why do you think he helped Van start that youth program here? He could have done it anywhere.”

The thought warmed me as Claire approached, her tablet casting blue light. “Social media’s exploding. People are calling Pine Haven a symbol of community over corporate greed. Support’s pouring in.”

Then she turned her screen to show something else—an old article that caught my breath. The headline read: ‘Local Officials Launch Secret Environmental Investigation.’

Below is a photo I’d never seen: Mom and Katherine Miller outside the courthouse, determination bright in young faces.

“They weren’t just investigating property fraud,” Claire explained softly. “They were building a federal case about water contamination. Working with the EPA.”

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