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She was fine.
But I was paranoid.
At one point, I opened her window so I could hear the ocean and then just lay there and daydreamed a bit. It was peaceful.
But now, it’s time to get up and get started on the day. Intending to let Rachel sleep in, I slip from the bed and reach for my phone, but frown when it’s not within reach.
I must have forgotten it downstairs last night.
I walk down, flip on the coffee maker, and reach for my cell.
I have two texts from Hunter, and one missed call.
Hunter: Hey! Are you still awake?
That one was just past midnight, probably when he got back to his room after the fight.
The next one was this morning.
Hunter: Good morning, beautiful. I’m headed back to the island earlier than planned. I miss my girls, and there’s nothing for me here in Vegas. I should be there no later than nine. See you soon!
I glance at the clock. It’s already past eight.
This is good news. I’m ready to sit down with Hunter and tell him what happened with his daughter yesterday.
“Maeve?”
I turn at the sound of Rachel’s voice and smile softly at the teenager.
“Well, good morning sunshine.”
She scratches her head and yawns. “I dreamed you were in my bed all night.”
“I was in your bed all night.” I cross to her and wrap my arms around her for a hug. “How do you feel?”
“Pretty much normal,” she says. “Hungry. Can we invite your parents over for breakfast?”
I raise a brow. “Really?”
Rachel nods. “Yeah. I think it would be nice.”
“Sure. I’ll give them a call. Maybe you should go hop in the shower. It might help you feel even better.”
“Good idea.” She turns to head for the stairs, then turns back to me. “Hey, Maeve?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Thank you.”
I nod as I reach for my phone so I can call my parents. “You’re welcome.”
Chapter 15
~Hunter~
The ferry seemed to take forever to cross the Sound to the island. I was too wound up from the fight to sleep worth a damn last night, and I missed being here with Maeve and Rachel, so I decided to leave Vegas at roughly five this morning.
And now I’m back on the island, driving toward my house.
I love this place. It feels like I’ve always lived here. Like this is where I was supposed to be all along. Most of all, I’m relieved that Rachel is happy here and that she’s thriving in this little town.
I pull into the driveway and park next to an older Ford SUV, then hurry inside. I didn’t hear back from Maeve last night, but I figured she was either still having fun with her friends or had fallen asleep.
She did finally text me about an hour ago and said that she was excited to see me.
The house smells of bacon and eggs and, if I’m not mistaken, sausage gravy.
“Looks like I’m just in time,” I announce as I walk into the kitchen. Fiona is manning the stove, and I can see through the window that Rachel is sitting outside with Tom.
“Good morning,” Maeve says as she hurries over and wraps her arms around my neck and holds on tight. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“I was only gone for twenty-four hours,” I remind her with a laugh.
“Yeah, well, a lot has happened.” She clears her throat and backs away. “We need to talk, Hunter.”
“First of all, are you and Rach okay?”
“Yes, we’re safe and fine,” Maeve assures me.
“You know, I think I have everything done in here for now,” Fiona says with a wink. “I’ll just join Tom and our sweet Rachel outside. It’s a beautiful morning.”
She closes the door behind her, and I narrow my eyes on Maeve.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m just going to tell you everything from the beginning,” Maeve says as she takes a deep breath. “I came home early yesterday afternoon to find Carla here. In the house, Hunter. She was in Rachel’s room, and they were setting up all-new décor. Rachel said her mom bought her all new stuff.”
I cross my arms over my chest and listen as my blood begins to fucking boil.
“I asked her to leave,” Maeve continues, “after some nasty words from her—all out of range of Rachel, of course. Anyway, that’s when I called and asked if Rach could stay with Carla.”
“Okay.”
“After they left, I sent Rach a text and reminded her that I was only a phone call away in case she needed anything. Then I went about my day. The girls came over, and we had a couple of drinks and some food. It was nice.”
“I’m glad.” I feel my stomach tighten because I have a feeling the other shoe is about to drop.
“At about nine, Rachel suddenly came through the door—”
Before she can continue, my daughter hurries in from outside with tears in her eyes. She leaves the door wide-open so Fiona and Tom can hear. “I swear to you, it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t know.”
