Page 14 of Island Refuge

There were lights strung overhead and several groups were already there, from families to friends, enjoying food from various vendors. If Travis wasn’t keyed into his target, he might’ve appreciated the area more.

Connor must’ve been tracking Lila’s cell phone, because he sent back news that Lila was at her grandmother’s home, providing that address for Travis.

Travis consulted the app on his phone that gave him an overview of the island. He plugged in the grandmother’s address, then the name of the bakery, getting a feel for most likely routes. He’d walk it later if he had time.

Sending another text Connor’s way, he requested a search of hospitality registrations. Lila would be with her grandmother, but what about the woman? She’d arrived on the last ferry. Where would she spend the night? Would she catch a ride back to Charleston?

His instincts were driving him to stick close to Lila, so he needed to find somewhere local as well. The last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself by getting caught loitering on the beach or dozing on a park bench. He had a feeling the island law enforcement frowned on that behavior.

A few minutes later, as Travis demolished an order of tacos from a food truck near the picnic area, Connor called.

“How’s it going?”

“A lovely night out here,” Travis replied. And his target was lounging at a small high-top, picking at her food and studying her phone. She could be doing anything, but Travis worried she was making arrangements to intercept Lila. “What’s it look like at your place?”

“No name yet.” Connor sounded perturbed. “As for the reservations, Lila is booked at the Inn. Checking in tonight and staying three nights total. Reservation was made two days ago.”

“Seriously?” Just when he was ready to park Lila in the innocent column, she did something he couldn’t ignore. “Any similar reservations?”

“You mean single women?”

“Yes.”

Connor snorted. “A bunch actually. Several are connected to a wedding party.”

“Nothing that fits what we’re looking for?” Although he had no idea how Connor would find a thief or stalker from a hotel reservation alone.

“I called in backup,” Connor said. “There are bed and breakfast places all over the island and we need to clear those too.”

Travis figured the new woman would stay near Lila. “Unlikely.” He had to be careful what he said while he was out here in public where anyone could overhear him. The woman turned and he was able to get a new photo to send Connor’s way. “We could go deep sea fishing, but we’d have to break up the party and I don’t think that’s what they want.”

Connor chuckled. “Clever. And I’m tracking. We’ll focus on what we know about the guests at the Inn.”

Travis appreciated working with an expert. “Sounds great. I’ll keep exploring our options.”

Which meant finding a way to identify this woman and her interest in Lila.

The woman eventually got up and walked away, gliding in and out of a bar with live music and eventually walking the few blocks toward the Inn. From the shadows of an oak-lined street, moving along with groups of tourists, he watched her meander through the structured gardens in front of the Inn. She wasn’tactually doing anything suspicious, but it felt all wrong because of the way she’d trailed after Lila earlier. Something about the unnamed woman struck him as slick. Worldly. As if she was on the verge of picking her next target. Just when he was sure she’d head to the parking lot to steal a car, she bypassed the valet stand and joined the queue where guests could catch a ride.

He crossed the garden and chose a bench where he could wait and watch without being obvious. From his new vantage point, he’d get a good look at whatever vehicle picked her up. He counted it as the lucky break they needed when the car drove by, the ride-share app logo lit up on the corner of the windshield, bright enough for him to make out the license plate number the driver added for security confirmation. Travis memorized the information and sent the text to Connor before the car reached the end of the gently winding driveway.

Now, all he had to do was find a way to insert himself into Lila’s life until they could sort out whether or not she was part of the theft or being targeted by the thieves.

He didn’t want to believe he’d been fooled, but the alternative wasn’t so great either. If he’d inadvertently put a target on her back, the least he could do was stick around to protect her.

He was halfway to Lila’s grandmother’s house, and wishing he hadn’t left his car in Charleston, when Connor informed him Lila had just arrived at the hotel. Turning around, he jogged back the way he’d come. He rushed into the lobby in time to see Lila and her grandmother at the registration desk.

“Lila!” he called. “I made it.”

She spun around and gawked at him. “Travis?” Her mouth opened and snapped shut. She glanced at her grandmother, a flash of panic in her gaze. “What? How?” She swallowed. “What are you doing here?”

He couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. He could definitely build off this and use it to their combined advantage.“I know. I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her into a hug. He brushed a kiss to her cheek and chalked up the immediate flare of heat to nerves. The woman smelled so good. Cinnamon, vanilla, and clean ocean air were all tangled up in her curls. As her arms came around him, he felt the knot in his chest loosen.

Good grief, he couldn’t afford to be so distracted while he was working. One way or another, he needed her to get on board quickly or he was sunk. “I’ll explain later,” he murmured at her ear. “Play along.” Sliding one hand around her back, he reached out to shake hands with her grandmother. “You must be Mrs. Copeland. Lila has told me so much about you.”

“Gram, this is Travis Upton.”

“Is it?” There was a twinkle in her eyes as she smiled. “Pleasure to meet you, young man. Call me Connie.”

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