Page 57 of Moonlit Hideaway
How wonderful it would be to wake up every morning to her.
“Stay with me, Sierra,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Don’t let the world take you away from me.”
Her warm moss-green eyes opened, soft in the morning light. She stretched lazily, looking at him with calm satisfaction.
“Hey you,” she murmured, giving him a smile that made his heart skip a beat.
“Hey, yourself.” He leaned over and feathered a kiss over her mouth.
“Everything okay?” She must have sensed something in his demeanor. “You look worried.”
“Everything’s fine. Just wondering what you want to do today. It’s going to be hard to top yesterday.”
“No kidding, but I’m sure we can find a way. Have you ever attended a live acrobatic show choreographed to Peter Pan. Or we can rent a limo to New York City and take in a Broadway show.”
Hank chuckled, lifting a hand. “Whoa there, slow down a bit. Those all sound amazing, but maybe we pace ourselves.”
“What’s wrong, old man?” She bobbed her head teasingly. “Can’t keep up with me?”
“Oh, you have no idea…” He grinned. “My endurance is legendary. You ought to try rowing a one-may shell on the sound over miles and miles of open water.”
“That sounds amazing.” Sierra raised her arms and folded herself into his embrace. “Okay, big guy, let’s see what today has for us.”
She was so graceful as she got off the bed that he still had to pinch himself that this superstar was slumming with him. Turning to flash him a smile, she disappeared into the bathroom with a beckoning wiggle. A lesser man would have pounced at the invitation, but Hank swallowed the desire that was constantly buzzing. He wanted Sierra for more than a one-nighter, and when a man played the long game, he had to be patient.
His phone’s vibration on the nightstand jarred him from his daydream. Mom.
He quickly answered, “Hey, Mom, What’s up?”
“I’m so glad I caught you,” his mother launched into her rushed, worried spiel. “Liam’s gone. He left the island late last night.”
“That’s good news.” He sat up straighter on the bed, waiting for the next shoe to fall.
“Yep. Ruth said he took the ferry headed to Swan Quarter. She’s got eyes on the docks, just in case.”
“Good ol’ Ruth, always on top of things,” Hank said appreciatively.
“Yes, but something else has come up. Emma saw some big city types poking around town, and Mayor Winston’s taking them around looking at properties.”
“Mayor Winston, huh?” Hank said, his eyes narrowing. He didn’t trust the mayor as far as he could throw him.
“Do you think they could be looking to buy property around here?” his mom asked worriedly.
Hank’s brow furrowed in concern as he processed this new information. They didn’t need more trouble, especially not while they were away. “Have you seen them around the inn?”
“No, I haven’t, but Oliver’s dug up a fancy tie tack.”
Hank’s eyes narrowed, his protective instincts kicking in. A fancy tie tack didn’t bode well— the only men who passedthrough their modest town wearing such things had big city money to throw around. And they usually left a trail of disruption in their wake.
“What does the tie-tack look like? Anything distinguishing?”
“Let me go take a look,” his mom replied. He heard her footsteps, followed by Oliver’s happy snuffles. “It’s gold with a basket weave motif and pinpoint diamonds.”
Hank couldn’t place the tie tack or see any significance in it, and he didn’t want his mother worried. “Oliver’s always rooting up something, isn’t he?”
“Yes, maybe another find like Jane’s diamond bracelet. I’ll put it in the safe in case someone inquires. How are you and Jane doing?”
“We’re taking a short vacation.”
