Page 32 of Island Homecoming

Should or not, he did. Oh, yes, he did. But he wasn’t fool enough to mention it. What he’d thought was love when they were kids paled in comparison to what he felt for her now. Somehow he’d blown right past halfway in love. And this wasnotthe time to dwell on that.

Jess looked to Frasier and got the go-ahead nod. “Burrell and I responded when the break-in alarm came in,” Jess explained. “We found the door busted. During the search, Burrell spotted the suspect in the yard. He pursued, but we’ve lost him.”

“Where?” Frasier asked.

“Through the trees to the water. Burrell said a boat was waiting.”

“That’s a hard place to come ashore,” Frasier observed.

Just about impossible in Nash’s opinion.

“Couldn’t agree more.” Jess’s lips were firm, her jaw set. “Hopefully we’ll get useful evidence off the door or fence or cutters.”

Nash planted his hands on his hips. “Where is Burrell now?”

“He’s updating Caldwell,” she replied. She studied him. Licked her lips. “Are you good?”

Aside from his racing heart? Sure. Why did she worry about him when she was the one who’d been out there chasing someone through the dark? He shook it off—they could discuss it later. “What do you think they want with the nursery?” he asked Frasier, his gaze sliding unerringly to Jess.

“Best guess?” Jess shook her head. “Probably an attempt to set up an exchange dead drop location. I found a burner phone and an envelope full of cash near the hole in the fence.”

“What?” Nash couldn’t reconcile that.

“How often do you have customers back here?” Frasier asked. “Employees?”

“We don’t bring customers back here. Even for the sales, we move things out front.” Nash looked around the yard. “Nina and I were here a few hours ago and didn’t see anything out of place.” He held Jess’s gaze. This couldn’t be happening again. Although he didn’t want history to repeat itself, he couldn’t keep the steel out of his voice. “Employees are in and out daily. I’ll vouch for every single one of them.”

Jess lifted her hands in surrender, her gaze earnest. “I’m sure your employees aren’t behind this. But we will have to talk to them. As a formality.”

Frasier nodded. “This feels like a crime of opportunity and proximity.” His gaze raked the trees behind the yard.

Jess pointed toward the damaged security lights. “Take out those motion detectors while everyone’s out. You’d never notice because you’re not here at night. And then anyone could come and go as they please.”

“You’ll catch them,” Nash said with absolute confidence.

She met his gaze. “Believe it.”

The team came to process the scene and Nash saw something pass unspoken between her and Frasier. They had a theory, but even Nash could see this wasn’t the time to ask about it.

Maybe next time they were alone he’d ask what she could share. Then again, he was pretty sure he didn’t want to waste a minute of his time with Jess talking about work.

Chapter 10

Onhernextnightoff, Jess stared at her reflection, trying to decide just how much to dress up. Nash was taking her back to the Pelican tonight. Nina wanted them to come out and support a new band she’d first heard in Charleston. She’d been all about giving the group a warm welcome for their first live performance in Brookwell.

Maybe it was that simple, Jess thought as she chose a short wrap skirt and a flowy scoop necked top that made her feel pretty.

Jess suspected that Nina was crushing on someone in the band. Her friend had been turning down local dates lately and heading to Charleston as frequently as possible. Not that Jess would say a word to Nash. Especially not when she wanted to enjoy the evening without upsetting either sibling.

“Nina says this group is on the rise,” Nash said as he parked the truck.

“Looks like a good crowd,” Jess observed. “Your sister must’ve invited the whole town.”

“Maybe so,” Nash agreed. “She’s determined that they get an invite to the music festival next summer.”

“We’d better go see what the hype is about.”

Jess had no idea where she would be next summer, but she refused to let those questions derail the evening. She respected Nina’s taste in music and the vibe in the Pelican was always relaxed and fun. And after the trouble at the nursery the other night Jess was eagerly seeking a fun distraction.

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