Cameron’s expression hardened “Never rubbed my face in it? Really? ’Cause it kind of feels like you just did.”

Cameron stalked away with his fists at his side. Boone’s heart sank, landing with a thud low in his gut. He hated being at odds with his brother. His siblings meant the world to him. Cameron, Liam and Honor. He loved all three of them with a single-minded devotion. As the oldest, it had always been his job to protect them from the slings and arrows of life. Even though he’d tried his best, he hadn’t been able to rescue Cameron from becoming the town’s whipping boy.

And ever since then there had been tension between them. As town sheriff, he’d been torn between his duties as a town official and his immense love for his brother. He’d always tilted in Cameron’s favor, but his brother hadn’t seen it that way. Cameron had felt like the town pariah. He let out a sigh as he walked back across the street to his office. The laid-back mood he’d experienced while in Grace’s presence had evaporated like light fog on a summer morning.

Perhaps from now on he needed to steer clear of the Moose Café, even though the very thought of not seeing a certain blue-eyed girl left him feeling forlorn.

* * *

Grace had tried hard not to stare as Boone and Cameron faced off in the entryway to the Moose Café. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their body language spoke volumes. Cameron had looked angry and tense, while Boone had seemed as if his patience was being tested. Tension had simmered in the air, and it felt almost explosive.

“What’s up between those two?” she asked Hazel once the two had parted ways.

“There aren’t enough hours in the day for me to explain,” Hazel quipped. “Those two boys love each other, but sometimes the past can create wedges between people.”

Wedges. Sounded like her family. Only there were wide crevasses in the Corbett family. Yet everyone pretended not to notice.

For the next few hours, Grace barely had time to focus on anything other than serving customers and trying to learn the ropes of her new job. Her mind was racing with unanswered questions as she filled orders and helped Hazel in the kitchen.

As they worked side by side, Grace enjoyed the easy camaraderie that flowed between them.

Hazel turned toward her with a pleased expression on her face. “I’m really happy that Cameron hired you and Sophie. There’s a different energy in this place now that you’re working here. You’ve brightened up the place.”

Grace smiled. “Thanks, Hazel. That’s sweet of you to say.”

“I’m simply speaking the truth. And I haven’t been sweet since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” she said with a laugh.

Grace frowned. “Hazel, if this town is having financial problems and the cannery closed, why were there two barista positions still available?”

Hazel made a face. “Well, the town’s not broke. Not yet, anyway. This café is flourishing. Let’s just say Cameron isn’t the easiest person to work for. He’s fired about two dozen people and the rest wouldn’t work for him, not after—” Hazel clammed up.

“After what?” Grace asked.

Hazel slapped her hand to her forehead. “Me and my big mouth.” She let out a sigh. “Cameron was handling the cannery deal for the town. The man he was doing business with took the town’s money and headed out of Dodge.” She shook her head mournfully. “Poor thing was trying to do a good thing for the town, but he got in way over his head. Not to mention his heart. Let’s just say that a lot of people blame him for the whole thing falling apart.”

“And it led to problems between him and Boone. Am I right?”

“I’ve already said too much, Grace.” Hazel made a turning-the-key motion on her lips.

Cameron Prescott had been involved with an unscrupulous businessman, leading to the closing of the cannery. The soured deal had severely impacted the town. With his brother being the town sheriff, that had to have led to tension and discord.

Perhaps this community wasn’t as tight-knit as she’d believed. Rifts between brothers. Unsavory businessmen. A town being fleeced.

Her journalistic juices were now flowing. Boone was at odds with his brother. Not to mention the townsfolk holding Cameron accountable. What kind of mistake could have turned so many people against Cameron? Whatever had transpired, she had an obligation to find out in order to write a comprehensive series about Love. Her series on this lovelorn town would be precise. No stone would remain unturned in her pursuit of the truth. This wasn’t going to be a fluff piece where she raved about the pretty mountains and the pristine air.

Hazel’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. “Jasper! I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”

“I’m here on town business involving Grace.” He wagged his eyebrows. “Official town business,” Jasper affirmed.

Cameron’s mouth quirked. “Town business? Grace is new in town. What kind of town business could it be?”

“Jasper wants to give me a personal tour of town,” Grace piped up. “And maybe go legend hunting, right?”

Too late, she saw Jasper place a finger to his lips and give her a warning look.

Cameron and Hazel let out a groan in unison. Sophie’s eyes went wide.

“Jasper,” Hazel said in a warning tone. “There’s a storm brewing for this evening. Don’t get carried away out there.”