Page 62 of Weight of Guilt

He’d almost rather they’d taken jewelry. A thief took what he came for and didn’t come back. This one had taken the thing that let him return.

“Wren.” He came back up the hall. “Who else has a key to this place?”

“Just my sisters.”

He grunted. “Someone got inside your cabin somehow without leaving any marks. So either this person picked the lock or you left it unlocked.”

“I never leave it unlocked . . .” She frowned. “But I have been distracted the past couple of days. I . . . I guess I just don’t know.”

“Whatever happened, you need to pack a bag,” he said. “Until we can change the locks, you’re staying with your sister.”

Before Wren could react, she heard a door bang open in the distance. She turned toward her window and saw Nora striding toward her. Marlowe was behind her, and both of them stopped short.

“What’s going on?” Nora asked, her gaze flicking between Wren and Nash.

Wren knew there was no need to withhold the truth from her sisters. “I’m getting ready to pack up a few things for me and Mason. We need to sleep at the main house tonight.”

“Why?” Marlowe narrowed her eyes.

There was no good way to lead into it, so Wren didn’t try. “My spare key is gone. I believe someone took it.”

“What?” Nora gaped. “Why would someone do that?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t feel safe staying here right now,” Wren said.

“I’m going to go let Tank out,” Nash said, his thumb pointing toward his house. “I’ll be back in a few.”

No one said anything as he walked away.

Finally, Nora shifted and crossed her arms. “When did your key go missing?”

“I just noticed yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Nora’s voice rose. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner? That seems like pertinent information!”

Wren’s jaw tightened at the accusation in her sister’s voice. “There’s been a lot going on.”

Nora frowned before asking, “What did Luke say?”

Wren glanced back at the house.

The back porch was empty, and Christian was nowhere in sight. She didn’t want him to hear this part.

She lowered her voice as she said, “He wants Christian to see a doctor. Tonight.”

“Tonight?” Marlowe repeated before her arms came up across her chest. “And, of course, you agreed.”

Tension spread across her back. “I did agree.”

“Wren—” Marlowe started.

“He’s been gone ten years, and nobody’s laid eyes on him but us.” Wren kept her voice even. “We can’t keep him here and hope for the best.”

“He’s only been home for two days.” Marlowe’s chin came up. “He needs more time. I don’t know why you both can’t see that!”

“That’s not fair,” Nora said.

“It’s completely fair! Neither of you are listening to what he wants.”