Page 49 of Tracking Safety

“There’s something else.” Wes’s voice turned more cautious. “I think you should consider bringing in Micah more fully. Not just with the shooting. With everything.”

Luke looked at him. “You mean, tell him about Jenna’s WitSec history?”

“He’s going to figure it out regardless. Better he hears it from Jenna than for him to piece it together on his own and wonder why you didn’t trust him.”

“I can do that,” Jenna said. “It seems reasonable.”

“Okay then,” Luke said. “We can stop by his office when we leave here.”

Jenna looked at her water glass, her thoughts scrambling back to Refuge Cove and the possibility of going there. It would be difficult, to say the least. She wasn’t sure how Luke’s family would receive her. Sure, they’d always been kind. But she’d hurt their son. That had to cause some hard feelings.

A lump formed in her throat before she said, “Luke, I know how hard it would be for you if I stayed at Refuge Cove. Me being there would be difficult on your family also⁠—”

His eyes narrowed. “Let me worry about that.”

“I just want you to know that I’m not pressuring you in any way, nor do I have any expectations⁠—”

“Jenna.” His quiet voice stopped her. “It’s my decision, and I’ve already made it.”

She started to argue but closed her mouth instead.

He held her gaze another moment, something unreadable moving through his eyes.

Then he reached for his phone, ready to lock all the details in place.

CHAPTER 19

Luke stepped outside to call Caleb.

The rain had started, but it was light—more of a mist, really. He stood under the restaurant’s narrow awning and watched it drizzle while the phone rang.

Caleb picked up on the second ring. “How’d it go?”

“It’s a long story, to be honest.” He kept his voice low. “But I need to bring Jenna to Refuge Cove. Tonight. Hollow House isn’t safe.”

“We can get a room ready.” Caleb said the words without hesitation.

Luke paused, his thoughts still racing. “The kids . . . Mom said she was bringing them there for dinner.”

“She did say that. You could ask her to keep them at home. Or . . . you could let Jenna see her children.”

He clenched his teeth so hard that his jaw ached. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

“The kids are eventually going to find out she’s back.”

“What if it’s too soon?” He stared into the distance as anxiety quelled in him. He couldn’t afford to make a bad decision—not when it affected his kids.

“Will it ever not be too soon?”

He considered his brother’s words before finally saying, “You’re right. I’m just delaying the inevitable. It’s not fair of me to keep Jenna from her children. I know she’s missed them terribly.”

“I’m sure she has. She was always a great mother . . . until she left, I suppose. Anyway, I’ll talk to Naomi. We’ll figure out the room situation.”

He paused. “Thank you, Caleb.”

Luke’s family had always been good to him. He often felt guilty because he wasn’t around as much as some of his siblings. But he had a business to run and three children to raise. His time never felt like his own.

He ended the call and looked through the restaurant window. Jenna sat at the table. She held herself like someone bracing for what came next. Wes told her something, and she listened with her eyes on the table.