Page 7 of Hideaway Reunion

She wasn’t a stranger. He’d known her for more than half his life. When they’d met, she was a lanky athlete and she’d become a brilliant, breathtakingly beautiful woman managing two successful careers. After college, his military service and following career with the Guardian Agency had kept him on the move, relegating their relationship to texts and emails. Although he’d missed her, he’d convinced himself it was better to keep her away from his world.

But the moment he’d heard Jess was looking for more staff on Brookwell to address various issues at the Hideaway, his self-imposed exile had ended. Seeing that burly surveyor loom over her on the beach earlier today had shattered whatever remaining restraint he possessed.

He was no longer just the training partner who happened to be working in town again. No matter the exact parameter of the assignment, as of tonight, he was Veronica’s shield. Anyone from Indigo Reef who dared to cross his line would be met with a swift and rude awakening.

Tossing the gear into the truck bed, he heard the fire chief’s vehicle pull up. He smiled. “Hey, Evan.”

“Hey.” His gaze landed on the bag and suitcase. “New assignment?”

Brayden nodded. “It’s local, though, so I’ll be around. Just not here too much.”

“No worries.” The chief frowned. “You can’t tell me anything more?”

Technically, the answer was no. However, folks were close around here and the chief had coordinated with agency protectors on a few incidents. “I’ll be helping at the Hargrave Hideaway.”

That thoughtful frown turned downright menacing. “Those developers messing with the girls again?”

Brayden nodded. “You can ask Jess for more details. Right now, I need to get back over there.”

“Sure thing. Be safe, man.”

“Always.” Brayden dropped into the driver’s seat, only to get a text as he started the engine. According to the message from Jess, Celeste had brought Roni’s suitcase to the Hideaway. One awkward moment averted.

He took a second to warn Jess about his exchange with Evan, so she wouldn’t be blindsided if he started asking questions. Because if Brayden had learned anything lately, it was that the fire chief was serious about the safety of Brookwell Island in general and Celeste Hargrave in particular.

At the Hideaway, the sunlight was melting to twilight, the sky washed in sweeping strokes of pink, indigo, and orange. He pulled as far into the drive as possible, wishing there was a way to hide his truck entirely. Then again, maybe it added pressure if the developers thought the Hideaway was rented. Might push them to make a mistake.

Though encouraging more stunts wouldn’t be his first choice with Veronica close by.

Gathering his gear from the trunk, he walked toward the sliding doors at the kitchen. The weight of the tactical bag slung across his shoulder was familiar, a comfort of sorts as his mind settled into work-mode, his senses on high alert. The construction site was quiet now, the machinery shut down for the night. He scanned the tree line, his eyes automatically charting the shadows, identifying the potential cover and blind spots closest to the house.

The house looked miserable. Dark and quiet when it was typically full of activity and people and warm light in the windows. Roni and her sisters had created an incredible guest experience and this developer needed to stand down. Make the most of the property they had rather than drive the sisters out simply to control a small stretch of beach. Indigo Reef wanted to ruin the Hideaway. They wanted the sisters isolated, exhausted, and broke enough to grasp at pitiful offers.

Assuming the door was locked, he typed a code into the security pad, waiting for the beep and hum as the lock released. He walked in, noting the low light over the stove and the cozy aroma of freshly-baked cookies. Chocolate chip. His stomach rumbled.

He figured Jess and Roni were waiting elsewhere, though he didn’t hear any voices. Locking the door behind him, he eased his gear to the floor. “Roni?” he called. “It’s me.”

“Hey.”

He turned toward her voice and found Roni standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the light from the suite off the kitchen. He’d memorized the floorplan ages ago. That was the suite where Celeste had lived early on when they operated the Hideaway as a B&B instead of a whole-house rental.

She’d changed out of her physical therapy attire into a pair of soft, faded denim cutoffs and an oversized, off-the-shoulder cream sweater that looked soft enough to melt. Her long blonde hair was tucked loosely behind her ears, revealing the weariness in her face.

Stomping on the blast of attraction, he walked over and pulled her into a hug, the way he’d always done as her friend. She hooked her arms around his shoulders and tucked herself into his chest. Just like always… If he ignored the desire fighting to break free.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice muffled.

“Anything for you, you know that.” The scents of fresh ocean air and warm chocolate tangled in her hair, enveloping him and testing his resolve.

Roni eased back, giving him a ghost of her usual smile. “I made cookies. Before you protest, you can afford the calories.” She patted his stomach the way she’d done a thousand times during training. “And it’s standard new-guest welcome protocol.”

“I’m a standard guest?”

She snorted. “You’re an exceptional guest. My hero in fact. That’s why I baked your favorite. Chocolate chunk.”

He pulled himself together. “So why are we just standing here?” he teased. She was his best friend; all the new feelings were his problem. He was here for a clear purpose. Best not to muddy it up now.

“I feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare,” Veronica admitted, moving past him and turning on the overhead lights in the kitchen. “How did this escalate so quickly?”