Page 9 of Wilde Sanctuary

No way. There was no way Charlie could be staying in one of his rental cabins. Cassie laughed as she waved a piece of paper at him. He squinted at what looked like a hand-written note.

“Give it here,” he said, holding out his hand.

Cassie handed it over, laughing. “One guess to where you’ll be tonight.”

Rhett scowled at her before running his eyes over the note. Shewasstaying in one of the cabins that he rented out through the town’s holiday letting agency.

On the exact land she was offering to buy. Of all the sneaky things she could have done.

He was on his feet and out the door, heading towards his truck before he realized where he was going.

“Want me to lock up for you?” Cassie called after him.

“Shit!” He stopped and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t go racing off to the cabin now. It was barely after lunch and there was no guarantee she would be there. He had her number, but damned if he was going to call her.

“No. I have bookings this afternoon.” And that was the other thing. He had a business to run.

Rhett checked his watch. He couldn’t leave for another five hours at least. It was going to be a long day.

It was dark by the time Rhett pulled up outside Charlie’s cabin.

No, not Charlie’s cabin. His cabin. As soon as she was packed and gone, life could get back to normal.

His truck’s engine rumbled in the still air. A light flicked on over the small porch, the front door opening to reveal Charlie in leggings and a cream-colored wraparound cardigan.

Rhett turned the engine off and climbed out of the truck, not wanting to delay this confrontation. Thunder rumbled in the distance, mirroring his mood.

She’d come here to take away the one thing he loved most. The peace and quiet of Cape Wilde. That monstrous resort that he’d seen the plans to would destroy everything he held dear.

He paused at the front of his truck, the light from inside the cabin throwing her into relief. He couldn’t see her expression, but she had her arms crossed over her chest, tugging the cardigan tightly around her.

He stopped. The last thing he wanted to do was make her afraid, but how else would she feel? He was bigger than her. The cabin was in the woods with no neighbors that would hear if she screamed. And he had been very angry the last time they had spoken. Rhett ran a hand over his face, his anger deflating.

“Hi,” he said, not stepping any closer to her.

“Hi.”

The wind gusted, sending leaves blowing around his feet.

“This cabin is my favorite,” he said. “It’s where my grandfather and I used to stay when he took me fishing. On a clear day, you can see for miles out to sea.”

She nodded. “It’s a pretty spot.”

Rhett rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah.”

They’re both silent for a moment.

“What are you doing here?”

That was an excellent question. A few minutes ago he would have answered it with perfect certainty. He was there to tell her to leave and make sure she did. But now? He found he wanted to believe her. He wanted her to have not known who he was that first night. He wanted?—

He wanted her.

“Did you really not know I owned the land?”

She nodded, her eyes unwavering as they met his. “I swear I didn’t know.”

“Alright,” he said and gave a small smile. “I’m sorry for this morning. I reacted badly and I shouldn’t have.”

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