Page 20 of Mine to Save

“As if I could forget.” He chuckled as he headed out of the town hall. Time to head over to the bed and breakfast. He wished he had more to share with Trinity, but maybe Rhett’s excellent private investigative skills would uncover something useful.

Until then, he’d spend some time interviewing Trinity and doing his best to keep his mind out of the gutter.

* * *

“Did you sleep well?”

Trinity took the mug of coffee that Melinda offered, wishing she could have answered that honestly. “Yes. This place is amazing.”

“I’m so glad,” Melinda said. “There’s a continental breakfast set up in the kitchen, but if you want eggs, pancakes, or anything else, just let my staff know. They can whip you up just about anything. Breakfast is served until ten.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll just go grab a bagel and sit outside. I’ve got some phone calls to make.”

“No problem. Let me know if you need anything.”

Trinity stepped into the kitchen, and a dozen scents assaulted her all at once. Cinnamon. Sugar. Chocolate. Coffee. Maple Syrup. And more. Her stomach flipped over, demanding food.

A mother holding an infant while gently bouncing waited for a man to butter her toast at one of the stations.

Memories flooded Trinity’s mind. She flattened a hand over her belly. There had been no cries—only Trinity’s tears.

“We’ll be out of your way in a jiffy,” the man said.

“No worries. I’m going to snag a couple of these chocolate croissants.” She lifted two off the tray and put them on a paper plate. Taking her mug and food, she headed outside.

Seeing babies didn’t usually trigger that kind of reaction anymore. At least not that strongly. But every once in a while, it brought her right back to that moment. Perhaps it was because of what’d just happened to her biological father. Who knew? Whatever it was, she needed to push those painful memories from her mind. She didn’t talk to many people about that part of her past. It was too painful, and most people either didn’t understand or said stupid shit.

She picked a lounge chair off to the far side of the pool. After getting herself situated, she called her friend Kathy, who picked up on the first ring.”

“Hey, hon. How are you doing?” Kathy asked in a sweet, high-pitched voice. Sometimes, her positive vibe could be annoying, especially when Trinity wanted to wallow in self-pity. Of course, Kathy would never let her do that, which was probably why she’d called her in the first place.

“I’m currently sitting poolside staring at a lighthouse and a bunch of boats going out and coming into the inlet.”

“Oh. That sounds so Zen. Did you do some morning yoga?”

Trinity groaned. She should lie, but she couldn’t do that to Kathy. “No,” she admitted. “I’ll get to it.”

“You’d better. It will help you through all of this. Of course, I think you should come home. I really don’t know why you’re there. I take it you saw the morning news?”

“I did,” Trinity said. “I can’t believe they’re wrapping this up so quickly. It doesn’t make sense.” It also hadn’t sat well with her that the chief of police hadn’t made a statement, nor did Emmett. But she’d give them a chance to explain themselves.

“Have you met with that police officer? What’s his name? Emery?”

“Emmett,” Trinity corrected. Sometimes, Kathy could be so ditsy. “I’ve barely had a chance to talk with him. I’m going to meet him in a couple of hours.”

“If he had anything helpful, I bet he would have spilled it right away,” Kathy said. “I’m not saying this to be mean, and I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but you’re wasting your time.”

Kathy could very well be right, but Trinity wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t at least try to get some answers. She owed it to her dad.

And she needed her friends to support her whether they agreed with her or not. “I don’t care if you understand or agree. I need to do this.”

“Okay,” Kathy said with an exasperated sigh. “But based on the statements the federal agents made on the news, it looked like they were packing up and closing the case.”

Emmett had only told her not to talk about the contents of the envelope. He hadn’t said that she couldn’t discuss anything else.

“Emmett went to the press briefing. He was going to try to speak with the agent in charge to find out all the particulars.”

“That happened like an hour ago. I know you want someone to tell you there was a mistake, but, sweetie, there wasn’t. They had the FBI, the state police, and the locals all working together. The evidence is there. Come home. I know this is hard, but you’re strong. You’ll get through it,” Kathy said with her over the top positive attitude she’d had for as long as Trinity had known her—which had been for about a year. It was one of the reasons that Trinity had been drawn to Kathy. Who didn’t want a friend that constantly lifted you up and gave you affirmations? Especially when it was a woman.

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