Page 18 of Covert Past

“I’m coming with you,” Boone confirmed without backing down. “To keep from drawing undue attention to myself, after I’ve dropped Dottie off, I’ll stay in my truck. I should be able to see most of the foot traffic from here. If those men from yesterday show up, I’ll let you know.”

Ellie was grateful to have him close.

“Put my number into your phone so you have it in case there’s trouble.”

Ellie typed in the number Boone gave her. Relying on others for help—she couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. Maybe Daniel, but even then, they’d been partners protecting each other.

As a little girl, her parents were her world. Her father was an American soldier on leave, spending time in Israel when he’d met Ellie’s mother, a member of the Israeli Defense Force. They’d fallen in love. John moved to Israel to be with Maya. They’d married as soon as his tour of duty was over. Ellie was born a few years later and then her sister, who had followed in their mother’s footsteps and became a soldier for the IDF.

There was a certain code among those in the military. Never leave anyone behind. Boone wouldn’t leave her behind, and she prayed she wouldn’t bring her trouble into his life.

“Stay here,” Ellie told Dottie and hopped out, rushing toward the door as the rain pelted her. Boone did the same.

Ellie went ahead of him inside the coffeehouse, where Hank stood behind the counter.

“Glad you made it. The rain’s really coming down. They weren’t expecting it until much later,” Hank told her as she entered. “With the flooding and another storm apparently closing in, I don’t think we’ll see much traffic today. It’ll be time to batten down the hatches soon enough.” She noticed Boone, and a knowing grin crossed Hank’s face.

Ellie cringed. Of course, she would think Ellie and Boone were together.

“Boone gave me a ride in.” Ellie came up with some excuse about car trouble.

“Well, that was nice of him.”

Ellie tried to determine if Hank believed the car trouble story. She couldn’t tell.

Hank handed them both towels and poured coffee for Boone while Ellie did her best to dry off.

“Better put that in a to-go cup, Hank. I’ve got some errands to run.”

Hank’s expression gave nothing away. “Fine by me.” She poured the coffee into a paper cup, added a lid, and then handed it to Boone. “According to the updated forecast, it’s supposed to rain most of the day. What tourists who haven’t left yet will want to get off the island in case of flooding. It’s going to be just us locals.”

“That it will. Stay dry, the two of you.” Boone headed for the door. With a final look Ellie’s way, he left.

“Suzanne called me last night and asked if I’d mind if she left the island a little earlier to beat the storm. She wanted to spend some time with her parents in New York before heading off to school. She sure was glad you applied for the job. Not too many people looking to work at a coffeehouse around these parts.”

Ellie half-listened, her focus on the danger breathing down her neck.

“It all worked out well. I think you’re going to be a good addition to the business.”

Her confidence was nice, but right now all Ellie could think about was the men she’d spotted outside the coffeehouse the day before. Her gut screamed they were enemy soldiers here for her. Boone wanted her to trust him. He had no idea how hard giving that trust would be.

Before long, a few workers came in before heading to their fishing vessels to get in a little fishing before the storm worsened. They ordered coffees and breakfast pastries for their trip. Time flew by. A few more locals came in but didn’t linger long. The “final wave,” as Hank called it, was the remaining tourists preparing to exit the island. By the time the last customer received their coffee, hours had flown by.

Boone texted to let her know when he returned.He told her he’d parked down from the coffeehouse and so far saw no sign of the men.

Had she been wrong? They could be innocent tourists here to enjoy the beauty of Hope Island. Hank told her the coffeehouse received visitors from all over the world. Ellie wanted to believe herself safe for the moment, and yet the survival instinct that kept her alive all these years wouldn’t let her lower her guard.

“Looks like that’s it until mid-afternoon and depending on the weather.” Hank wiped down the counter while Ellie gathered coffee cups to wash.

“Is the weather always like this?”

Hank ginned as Ellie rolled her shoulders. “Sometimes. You get used to it. Just part of the attraction to the island.”

Ellie wasn’t so sure about that.

“I’m going to run to the bank with the deposit. Will you be okay here by yourself for a bit?”

After everything she’d gone through in her past, Ellie believed she would.

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