Page 51 of Acadia Falls

“Because Everly Reyes’s lawyer just called our house. She wanted to know when we were getting back to her client.” Mom went quiet for a moment. “When are we getting back to her, Jack? I feel like this is a crucial decision. But you’re off chasing girls and sleeping through your alarm. Ryan’s down at the Lookout with that actress, and Tommy’s been moping around ever since M.B. blew him off at the wedding reception.”

“It wasn’t a wedding reception, and I have not!” Tommy bellowed from somewhere near my mother.

“Pipe down, Tommy. I’m trying to talk to your brother!” Rose hollered right into my ear. “Sorry, honey. But when are you going to be home?”

I squinted out at the pouring rain. “As soon as I can. But I might not be able to make it back across if this doesn’t let up.”

“Aunt Evie and Uncle Ralph are in South Carolina if you need to stay at their place,” Mom offered. “You know where they leave the key. Don’t take the boat across if it starts lightning. Okay?”

My brothers and I had been raising hell all our lives, and our mother had always been laid-back—until my father died. Now she seemed to worry more, a note of concern creeping into her voice, a little crinkle between her eyes when she asked us about rough waters, early mornings, and late nights. “I’ll be careful, Mom.”

“Just stay put if it gets any worse. You hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I’m almost thirty, but yes. I hear.

We hung up at the same time I pulled into the park, which was deserted. The ranger in the kiosk frowned at me. “We’re closing. Storm’s coming in.”

“I know, but I have a friend in there. She’s hiking Jordan Pond.”

He looked up at the sky and scowled. “She ever hear of the weather app?”

“She’s from New York,” I said as if this explained everything.

“Then you better go get her.” The ranger probably dealt with this every summer.

I drove slowly through the gate and up the winding road. There were a few cyclists out—they were nuts and probably from New York, too—but otherwise, the park was empty. I followed the twists and turns past some trails, including the North and South Bubble routes, following the signs to Jordan Pond. No cars were pulled to the side of the road; all the hikers were long gone.

Except for one.

The bus station came into view. A lone, soaked visitor sat on the bench, looking defeated. Her hair was sopping wet, and her mouth was twisted into a scowl.

And damn, didn’t my heart near stop.

Soaked to the bone and with a surly expression, Maran Riley was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I’d thought I was in trouble before, but now I knew for sure this would have an ending, and it wouldn’t be a happy one.

Deciding to play it cool, I cranked down the window and leaned over. “You need a ride, Blondie?”

If this was just a summer fling with a hot blonde, I might as well enjoy it.

But I knew, in the end, that I was the one who was going to get burned.

Chapter Twenty

MARAN

The rain kept pouring down. Jack looked smug—very smug—as we drove through the nearly empty park. He also looked handsome. Very handsome.

Not that I cared.

I jutted my chin out. “You didn’t have to come get me. The bus was on its way.”

“I don’t think it was,” he countered. “The ranger said you were the only one left in the park.”

“I am not,” I said stubbornly.

We passed some cyclists who were pulled to the side of the road. Jack jerked his thumb at them. “True. It’s just you and these nuts.”

The rain started falling even harder, making it nearly impossible to see. “Did you bring your boat over?”