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Finn took a deep breath before letting it out. He wanted to believe Charli was what they said and he’d seen. But Laura’s words had burrowed into his mind leaving holes of doubt.
“You’d better get going if you plan on helping Charli with the deliveries today,” Zeke said, checking his watch.
“Right.” Fin nodded. He gave his mother a hug and kiss on her cheek and waved to his dad on his way out.
* * *
Finn wiped his brow, needing a drink of water and a break from stacking boxes in the back room. He stepped into the main area behind the bar to find Charli leaning over the timber slab, laughing with a couple of guys who were looking at her as if she were their next meal.
His fists clenched at his sides as he stepped closer.
“How about we take you out fishing sometime?” the first guy asked.
Who the hell hit on a pregnant woman?
Charli wiped down the counter. “Fishing is more my husband’s thing than mine.”
He stopped, relief washing over him as she clearly let these guys know she was taken.
She looked up, meeting his eyes, and offered him a smile. “Speak of the devil.”
He studied her intently. The curve of her lips seemed genuine. Her golden-brown eyes shone with honesty.
What the hell was he doing? Who could he trust? What could he believe? If only I could remember for myself. He’d hurt her. She’d stayed by his side. She was carrying his child—as far as he knew. He owed her the benefit of the doubt. So, he’d wait. And watch. And hope to hell he was doing the right thing. The last thing he wanted to do was create friction in their already fragile relationship. Things were good right now. He wouldn’t do anything to disrupt that.
27
Charli
Sunlight glittered through the frosted windows. Charli walked over to her dresser, searching for her favorite earrings. It took a minute but she found them. Slipping them into her ears, she studied the rest of her items. Normally she was very particular about how she organized things. Something was off. Where was the picture of her and Finn? She searched the room, her eyes landing on the side table. A shiver ran through her. Charli opened the side drawer, relief flooding her at the sight of her gun. After the baby was born, they’d have to lock it away with Finn’s hunting rifles.
Maybe Finn moved the photo? She’d ask him once he got back. He was staying out more and more the past few days. Ever since he’d pinned her against that wall, he’d withdrawn again. How can I get through to him? How could you get someone to stop beating themselves up for something they couldn’t control? Unfortunately, she had a lifetime of experience in that department. It was impossible.
Her phone dinged.
She pulled it from her pocket and her stomach turned to stone.
Unknown: It’s been too long. You haven’t changed, but I have.
Charli: Who is this?
Unknown: You’ll see soon enough.
Charli’s heart thundered in her chest. Was this Damon? Was he okay? She dialed Brynn.
“Hello?”
“H-hey.”
“How are you?” Brynn asked.
“I-I don’t know. I’m getting some strange texts.”
“From Phillip? Your attacker?” Brynn’s voice was panicked.
“That’s just it. He’s in jail.”
“Who else could it be?” Brynn asked.
