Page 24 of Deep Waters
“Join me? I have another arm.”
Rae snuggled into the spot I’d made for her. She smelled like the sea and the perfumed lotion I always associated with her. Her curls drifted against my cheek, a soft caress, even as the rest of her pressed against my side. Her hand found my knee, and I stilled, bracing for control. The tiniest of touches made it impossible to concentrate on anything but her. I savored the connection, tugging her closer, my right hand possessive at her hip.
My world was damn-near perfect. Right now. Right here. Nothing more to do or get. Peace washed over me, coming in waves like the ocean below, the combination of the low roar and Rae in my arms acting like a drug on my nervous system. One I was one hundred percent addicted to.
Hana and Tae were nearly catatonic on the ride home. Tired from all the pizza and fresh air. Even Rae seemed the same, lashes slowly drooping as she stared out the window at the rolling hills fading into twilight.
The house looked undisturbed in the gathering darkness. There were no phone alerts from the cameras. But I was still uneasy.
“Wait here,” I said. Rae tilted her chin stubbornly, looking like she wanted to argue. “Just let me check things out.” I slipped out of the car and into the house, inspecting each room for any signs of disturbance before returning to Rae and the kids. “Let’s get these kids to bed.”
“You trying to take care of us, Fenwick? That’s usuallymyjob.”
She said it with a tiny smile. Like she’d forgotten what it felt like to be cared for. And, god, that made my chest ache. In that moment, I hated Simon. Their sham relationship had left her on her own for too long. He’d been a boyfriend in name only when she’d needed more. He’d taken up space in her life without really showing up for her.
I’d been her friend, but always at arm’s length. There were limits. Boundaries I couldn’t cross. But now? She was free, and so was I. I turned to face her. She needed to know I was dead serious. About her. About us.
“You’re not alone, Rae. You’ve got me,” I said, my voice firm. “My family. The whole damn town if you’d let them.”
She didn’t call me on my bullshit, just raised a brow. After seventy-billion lectures from her about asking for help and accepting it, my house was glassy as could be, but my point was still valid. I’d prove it to her. Everyone loved Rae. No one wanted to see Jia and the kids suffer more than they already had. And I didn’t want to see her suffer at all.
Tae slipped from the back seat, a yawning Hana following.
“Read to me?” Hana pleaded after she brushed her teeth. She was clad in colorful pajamas with dogs on them.
If anyone had told me three weeks ago that a pint-sized girl would own a piece of my heart, I’d have laughed in their faces. My time around kids had been limited. Sure, I could charm the odd baby or two who came into Harbor Brews in their mom or dad’s arms, and we’d had many rescues for lost hikers with kids, but that didn’t mean I was anyone’s first choice for a babysitter.
My life was Harbor Brews. Making it a success. Competing with my siblings. Having a little fun along the way. Getting my thrills through Search and Rescue. Hanging out with Rae. Maybe volunteering to help Rae with the kids was out of character, but I was so glad I did. I was learning things about myself. Like that I wanted a family someday.
“Sure, honey.”
Hana picked out a book about dogs in space, and we settled down, shoving a handful of colorful stuffies to the floor to make room for both of us. I smoothed my voice, making it as hypnotic as my vocal cords would allow, letting my mind drift as I flipped the pages.
Hana was a sweet kid. It was tragic that she’d lost her dad so young. Jordan Dawkins had done his family a huge disservice, messing around on that cliff. What could have been so important that he was out on the bluffs after dark? The man was a whale boating captain. He and his partner Brandon sailed around the Salish Sea with tourists. He should have lived to a ripe old age. Given Hana away at her wedding. Dangled grandkids on his knee.
Paired with the break-in at the house, it was all damned suspicious. In the rush to check for missing valuables, I hadn’t considered what exactly someone was looking for. Clearly not Tae’s game system or the electronics that would fetch easy cash. They’d been searching for something. But what?
“Goodnight, Hana.” I dropped a kiss on her forehead. Tucking her in took only a moment.
Rae looked up from her phone in the living room. “Everything okay?”
“Yes. Hana’s down. What about Tae?”
“He’s ready for bed and in his room.”
“I’ve been thinking about the break-in today.”
Rae stretched, drawing my gaze to the arch of her neck as she rolled her head. “Was that just today? Feels like forever ago.”
“I know. But what do you think they were looking for?”
Her piercing gaze met mine. “What do you mean?”
I took a deep breath. “They didn’t take anything worth easy money. It didn’t look like vandalism. But clearly, they made it across most of the house. They had to have been looking for something.”
“A whale-watching business should have nothing of value.” Rae looked grim. “If they’d locked the house, we might never have noticed. Do you think they’re trying to scare me?”
I squeezed her hand. “Us. You’re not alone. It’s impossible to imagine anyone targeting you. We can call Brandon, your cousin’s business partner. He might know what someone is interested in.”
