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A few tears intermixed with the water, but they were born of exhaustion rather than grief. She’d determined during her time on the beach that she’d shed the last tears she’d cry for Richard. She was simply too tired to care what happened at this point.
Out of my control, she reminded herself.
All that mattered now was that she was safe and clean.
And honestly—still alive.
God’s plan for her would play out as it was meant to, and while she certainly couldn’t comprehend the whys and hows or the fact she was now being sued for millions of dollars, she had to accept that it was somehow part of the process.
She nodded, determined to give up the worry and focus on the moment and what she could control. Even if it was something as simple as the temperature of the water, which scented shampoo she decided to use, or whether or not she shaved her legs.
Rayna rinsed her hair and then tried to clean the mess of sand she’d left in the shower. Her curly hair had always been troublesome in the south’s humidity, but thankfully it required little fixing as a result. She left it free to dry and used the clip she’d worn to the funeral to pull the sides back from her face.
Twenty minutes after blocking the door, she moved the chair back to its original position and made her way through the quiet house to the kitchen, footsteps dragging. She’d wanted so badly to curl up on the guest bed and nap. Moving was her way to stay awake at this point.
Connor saw her coming and lifted the television remote to quickly turn off the TV.
“Feel better?” he asked as she entered the kitchen.
“Yes, thank you. I hope your daughter-in-law doesn’t mind me borrowing her things. I’ll launder them and return them.”
Connor smiled and nodded. “She’d be happy to help. Sit down. You’re just in time. We can eat here or out on the patio. Your choice.”
“Patio,” she said without thinking. The view was so different from her own, as the barrier island had a different look and feel about it. Plus maybe the breeze and sunshine would keep her alert.
He loaded up plates with bacon and eggs, toast that looked to be a wee bit burnt, and offered her both coffee and juice.
They carried their breakfasts outside and settled beneath the shaded terrace. Connor dug into his food, so she did the same, and one bite reminded her of the fact she hadn’t eaten since yesterday… morning?
“So tell me about Rayna,” Connor said after giving her plenty of time to get several bites in. “Besides the fact you like to kayak.”
She grimaced at the request and then shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. I have two beautiful twin daughters, and I’m a twin myself. That seems to be the thing people find most interesting.”
Connor smiled at her, his blue eyes crinkled.
“It’s interesting, but I doubt it’s the most interesting thing.”
“What about you?” she asked, sipping her coffee. “Do I detect a bit of a northern accent?”
“I was born and raised in Texas,” he said, feigning a look of horror.
“Really?” she asked, surprised. Working at the decor store, she’d gotten quite good at accents over the years.
“Yup.” He leaned toward her, his expression changing over to a handsome grin. “But my mother was from Philly.”
“I knew it,” she said, her laugh turning into an embarrassing yawn. “Oh, my. Sorry.”
“No need for that. You look exhausted.”
“It’s been a long few days,” she said carefully. She pushed her now empty plate away, embarrassed that she’d wolfed it down like a teenaged boy. “I should call my family. I meant to in the guest room but… I’m honestly not sure what to say to them, so I put it off.”
Connor’s broad hand wrapped around his coffee cup, and he settled back in his chair, his gaze direct and more than a bit unnerving.
“Some might think it obvious why you felt the need to get away.”
“Maybe, but… I stole the kayak,” she admitted, grimacing. “I’ve never stolen anything in my life, and yet I just walked up a-and took it off of a kayak rental truck. I’m a thief.”
Connor’s husky chuckles echoed off the stone terrace, and she covered her face with her palms out of embarrassment before shoving her damp hair over her shoulders. “I can’t believe I just told you that. You’ll be hiding the silver.”
“Rayna Jo,” he said softly. “People are worried sick about you. They won’t care about a borrowed kayak. Especially when you return it and pay double for the use of it.”
It took her several seconds to realize he knew her name. Her middle name.
The air left her lungs in a rush. “You know who I am?”
