Page 35 of Mine to Save

CHAPTEREIGHT

Trinity took her bagel and her cup of coffee out to the dock. She had no desire to hang out with the other guests and make small talk. Besides, the morning headline had been all about her father, and the first thing she’d heard from someone staying at the bed and breakfast was how the world was a safer place because the police had taken out “that murdering bastard.”

Trinity didn’t need to hear that kind of talk.

Especially after her sleepless night.

She settled in at the end, dangling her feet in the salty water.

She took a big bite of her bagel with cream cheese piled on a quarter of an inch thick. “Oh, that’s good,” she whispered. She focused on her exploding taste buds and did her best to ignore the lingering thoughts of Emmett that had filled her mind. She didn’t know what bothered her more.

The fact that the dreams were the only things that had gotten her through the night.

Or that she’d tried to relive them the second she blinked open her eyes.

She touched her lips.

His kiss had only lasted a minute, but she’d never forget the feel of his mouth pressed firmly to hers or how it’d made her head spin. It was as if she’d been kissed for the very first time.

The wood planks under her ass vibrated.

She glanced over her shoulder.

Melinda.

“There you are.” Melinda scurried down the dock with her tall mug. “Did you get enough to eat? My staff said you didn’t request a hot breakfast either morning.”

Trinity raised her bagel. “Plenty. Thank you.”

“Emmett called me and wanted to make sure you were getting special treatment.” Melinda plopped down on the dock and sat cross-legged. “As if I wouldn’t make sure my guests had everything they needed.” Melinda tilted her head toward the sun. “He asked if you’d seen the newspaper. I told him I had no idea because that’s the truth. But I’m wondering if maybe you haven’t answered a text or a message. I know. None of my business.”

“I’ve seen it,” Trinity said matter-of-factly. “And I’m ignoring my phone in general right now.” Mostly, she didn’t want to deal with Kathy, who’d started in at six this morning.

“Emmett’s a good man. One of the best. And while he and I weren’t meant for each other, I still care a great deal about him and would do pretty much anything for him—including this little errand.”

Trinity swallowed the thick lump that formed in her throat. Here came the harsh words of judgment. Ever since Jeff Allen had become a person of interest and then the prime suspect in the Adultery Killercase, Trinity had gotten used to people looking at her with fear and hatred.

Of course, she’d learned to live with those judgmental glances when she turned sixteen and not only found out who her biological father was, but her friends and their parents did, as well.

“When you first got here, I had no idea who you were. I honestly thought you might be someone from one of his brothers’ pasts, or maybe a long-lost family member. Another half-sibling or something like that. However, I put things together pretty quickly the first night. I’m sure others did, too.”

“I can be out of your hair in an hour,” Trinity said.

Melinda jerked her head back. “I’m not asking you to leave. Though I will ask that you continue keeping your identity from my guests—I don’t need them checking out. But I don’t think it’s fair for you to be judged for what your father may or may not have done.”

“I appreciate that.” Trinity’s heart lurched. Normally, when people found out who her father was, even before this latest scandal, they all looked at her a little strangely. Most told her it didn’t bother them, but they all slowly distanced themselves as the days and weeks passed. “I don’t want to cause you any problems. I know you need a certain number of people to keep this place running.”

“You let me worry about my business.” Melinda lowered her chin and arched a brow. “Emmett is very good at what he does. If your father didn’t do what he was accused of, Emmett will prove it.”

“That sounds strange, considering he’s a cop.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time he’s proven something like that.” Melinda set her coffee aside. “We hooked up because he had to arrest me when my grandfather was murdered.”

“Excuse me?” Trinity coughed as she nearly choked on a small piece of bagel. She washed it down with some hot and bitter brew. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was hell, and the worst part was that my own father set me up.”

Trinity stuck her finger in her ear. “I’m sorry. What?”

---