He draped an arm around her, melting the moment she rested her head on his shoulder. Her familiar lilac scent mingled with the smoky aroma of smoldering logs, and he took a moment to savor the smell, solidifying the memory.
“I’m worried about Tyler.” Her confession sliced through the comfortable silence. “I overheard Piper on the phone this morning. She said something about money and needing more time. I think they’re in some kind of trouble.”
Logan gathered a breath. So much for his internal debate. He had to tell her what he knew. “I think you’re right.” He relayed what Max shared about Tyler’s car camping comments, and Abby listened, tears glistening in her hazel eyes.
“How awful,” she whispered. “Poor Tyler. And Piper. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. As a mom, that must be terrifying.” She wiped her damp cheek with the back of her hand, and Logan pulled her closer, squeezing her arm for comfort. While he hated to see her cry, he loved her tender heart.
“What do you think happened to them?” she asked.
“I have no idea.” The internet search of Piper’s name hadn’t revealed anything useful. Except that she’d lived in Blessings Bay and tended bar at the Sawmill during the time frame she’d claimed. She wasn’t on any social media sites as far as he could find, which made his sleuthing efforts even more difficult.
“Well, we have to do something to help them,” Abby said with compassionate conviction.
Logan grinned despite the somber mood. Man, he loved this woman. “I knew you were going to say that. No matter what Piper has put you through, you can’t resist helping someone in need.”
Maybe it was the warmth of the firelight, but he thought he detected a faint tinge to her cheeks. “Well, neither can you.”
“Touché. Although, I don’t have any bright ideas yet.”
“I might have one. Or, it might be the worst idea I’ve ever had. Either way, it’ll take a miracle to work.”
“Luckily, Blessings Bay is kinda famous for those,” he teased.
She tilted her head to meet his gaze, her perfect lips arched in the most kissable smile.
How was it possible that, with Abby, even when they found themselves in the bleakest of situations, he was exactly where he wanted to be?
Chapter 16
SAGE
Sage scrunchedher eyes shut and yanked the covers over her head, blocking out the early morning sunlight. And the even more upsetting reality that she’d rather be anywhere else than stuck on this sailboat—with Flynn.
She would need a miracle to make it through the next few days. What made her think she could handle being this close to him again? She groaned as the gentle pressure along her temples increased to a dull percussion.
Great. A headache. Just what she needed after lying awake all night, tortured by bitter memories.
She ran a finger below her lash line and winced. Her skin felt puffy and tender to the touch, courtesy of her countless tears. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She’d worked through these emotions years ago.
Except, the second she closed her eyes last night, and her body relaxed with the soothing sway of the sailboat, her thoughts betrayed her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kevin, Flynn, and their three-week postgraduation sailing adventure. The trip they’d spent months planning. It was supposed to be a last hurrah before she and Kevin went to college and Flynn joined the professional regatta team. Then Kevin died, and the trip became a memorial voyage in his honor. At least, that had been her hope. Flynn had agreed, at first. But something changed. The day they were supposed to set sail, he never showed. To this day, she didn’t know why.
“Go away, go away, go away!” she pleaded under her breath, shooing the plaguing thoughts from her mind.
Dwelling on the past wouldn’t get her anywhere. Unless it propelled her off the boat and away from Flynn, which wasn’t an option. She needed to find the diary, and after her failed efforts yesterday, she had only two days left.
Focus, Sage. You can’t afford a distraction if you want to—oof!
A heavy weight landed on her stomach, knocking the air from her lungs.
She jerked the covers off her head, coming face-to-drooling-face with Flynn’s dog.
The excited bundle of energy wiggled his backside, pawing her arm for attention.
“Well, good morning to you, too.” She chuckled and sat up to scratch behind his ears.
The contented pup flopped across her lap, soaking up the affection.
“Sorry about that. Cap took off before I could stop him.” Flynn ducked through the doorway, cradling two mugs of coffee.
