Page 13 of Island Homecoming

Chief Caldwell had commandeered it as the storage space for the drug seizure. Probably because it was removed from the more active public areas. The nearby dock, rickety as it was, made it possible to monitor the boat they’d also seized without additional guards.

In her earlier briefing, she learned the building was locked at all times and the personnel would rotate through a schedule designed to keep everyone fresh.

She checked in for her shift, introduced herself to the team on duty, and was given a tour of the warehouse. Brookwell Island police lieutenant Will Frasier was leading the team tonight. Frasier had been an influential mentor to her growing up. A calm, steady, by-the-book kind of cop, his presence gave her a boost of confidence. And despite the dashing gray hair at his temples and deeper lines etched into his face, he looked as hearty and eager as ever.

He reviewed the basic protocols as he handed over a radio. “Guardian Agency, huh?”

“Well, yeah.” She smiled. “Coming home was supposed to be a vacation, but they called in a favor.”

Frasier didn’t look entirely convinced, but he didn’t press for more details.

She shouldn’t be surprised that the Guardian Agency had picked up this assignment. From what she’d learned from Gabby, the agency was diversifying, adding special teams and support jobs to their comprehensive service portfolio. When the small South Carolina town needed more manpower, the Guardian Agency had answered.

The hardest part of all of it was the gun in the holster on her hip. No amount of arguing would change the situation. Guards on this job had to be armed, especially during the night shifts. Understanding the logic didn’t mean she liked it.

“We’ll try not to overwork you,” Frasier joked.

She rolled her eyes.

“You’ll be patrolling with Officer Troy Walden,” Frasier explained. “He’ll be here shortly.”

She vaguely remembered Troy from high school. A nice guy, he’d been a couple years ahead of her and on the basketball team with Nash for a season or two.

Frasier continued, “You’ll split the perimeter coverage. We have cameras in place for extra coverage here and down at the dock.”

“Monitored here or elsewhere?” The Guardian Agency often handled surveillance remotely.

“Right here.” Frasier pointed toward an office on the other side of a wide tinted window that overlooked the main warehouse space. “I’m working monitors tonight.”

“Great.”

Troy Walden walked in on a gust of wind and Frasier made introductions before they headed out to relieve the others.

An hour later, the wind was blowing hard as darkness blanketed the island, rustling through the palmetto trees. She turned, watching the slender trunks bend. Rain was coming, likely heavy, and she was grateful for the protective gear she’d been issued.

She walked her route, ever alert as the shadows stirred in the blustery night. Scanning in all directions, she hesitated. Two blocks over, the Billings Nursery would be buttoned down for the night. In the past, when foul weather threatened, Mr. Billings would sleep in the office, just to be on hand in case of damage to the greenhouse.

She figured that was part of Nash’s job now.

Jess’s mom had kept her informed about the Billings family and their various enterprises around town. Nash’s younger sister Nina owned the florist shop, and Nash had taken over the day-to-day operations of the landscaping business about a year back. Knowing his energetic dad, Jess was sure Nico still had a hand in the nursery.

She put it out of her mind, listening to the island, her senses tuned to anything out of the ordinary. Sounds from the nearby marina carried to her: rigging pinging in the wind and bumpers squeaking and shifting against the moored boats.

Not far from here, the Inn was probably gearing up for tonight’s live entertainment. Another change her mother had shared. The Inn was owned by the city and the island residents and managed by a board of directors, thanks to a savvy mayor who came up with a refurbishment plan back in the 1970s. In its heyday, the Inn had been a destination. Now, thanks to that mayor, it was a gem once more, drawing in tourism that benefited everyone.

Year by year, they seemed to grow and expand their offerings without upsetting the easy-going vibe on the island itself. There were seasonal events and the draw of the posh Inn worked in tandem with other island traditions like the summer music festival and sea turtle nest monitoring.

Jess shrugged off a prickle of unease. She’d be seeing it all up close on her date with Nash.

Jess understood her mom’s persistent chatter and updates. She wasn’t pushing Jess for anything specific, but she was dedicated to keeping the island economy strong and frequently made references about decisions to empower the next generation and inspire Brookwell kids to stick around and build lives.

This might be the place for Jess right now, but she didn’t think it could work long term. Not with the way everything inside her twisted and knotted when she was near Nash. This was his place and she wouldn’t intrude. She was only here to recover from the ordeal in Key West. No matter how thrilled her parents were to have her back home, she couldn’t make any promises about the future.

Brookwell was as full of her best childhood memories as it was the awkward ones. Part of the charm of small-town life was everyone remembering the blue dress she wore to her first dance, her performance on the volleyball and track teams, and throwing her boyfriend under the bus on a robbery charge.

Her innocent boyfriend.

She cringed. It was an automatic reflex even after all this time.

---