Page 100 of Knox

“I think it’s more than that.” Maggie’s voice dropped. “He’s been different since last summer. When Avery left.”

“Avery?”

“Yeah. She came to town looking at vacant storefronts. She got a flat tire, and Nash helped. They were inseparable from the moment they met.” Maggie shook her head. “I’ve never seen my brother like that. They had two days together, and he was so happy. For a minute, I thought his luck had changed. You know?”

I knew exactly what she meant. Because my luck had changed when I met Sloane. “What happened?”

Maggie shrugged. “Avery had to go back to her life in Richmond, I guess. Her job, her apartment, her whole world was there. And Nash is here, married to this badge and this island. She never came back to open that store.” Maggie’s eyes filled with worry. “I’ve seen the way he looks at his phone, even after all these months. The way he jumps every time it buzzes. Sometimes I think he’s hoping it’s her. But it never is.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

Maggie pushed off from the counter. “No. I just worry about him. I thought someone else should know. He’s always taken care of everyone else. He holds this whole community together. But who takes care of him?”

“You do,” I said. “You’re a good sister.”

“Then why do I feel like I’m watching him break, and I can’t do anything about it?” Her voice cracked. “He thinks nobody notices, but I see it. The way he works eighteen-hour days so he doesn’t have to go home to an empty house. He’s running from his feelings, and I don’t know how to make him stop.”

I pulled Maggie into a hug. “Give him time. And keep being there. That’s all you can do.”

“What if time isn’t enough?”

I didn’t have an answer for that. Sometimes people missed their chances.

But looking at Sloane in my living room, I made a silent promise not to miss another moment with her.

Chapter 33

Knox

Colton loaded the last duffel into the back of the rental truck while Archer checked their route on his phone. My mother’s driveway felt too small for this goodbye.

“You sure you don’t want to stay a few more days?” Sloane asked from the porch. Her voice still carried that rasp from the bruising on her throat. “There’s plenty of room.”

“We’ve got to get back to base,” Archer said. “Already pushed our leave as far as we could.”

Maggie descended the porch steps, carrying a cooler. “At least take this. Sandwiches for the road. And cookies. I made way too many.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Colton took the cooler from her hands, their fingers brushing. Lingering a beat too long.

I caught it. The way Maggie’s cheeks flushed. The way Colton’s expression softened when he looked at her.

Not good.

Nash appeared beside me, arms crossed. “Your guys ready?”

“Almost.”

I watched Colton set the cooler in the truck cab, watched Maggie hover nearby like she had more to say.

“They’ve been a huge help this week.”

“That’s an understatement.” Nash nodded toward my team. “Without them, this whole thing could’ve gone a lot differently.”

Archer joined us, extending his hand to Nash. “Appreciate you letting us assist. Not every sheriff would’ve welcomed outside help.”

“Not every outside help is worth welcoming.” Nash shook his hand. “But you two? You’re good men. This island’s lucky you were here.”

“We were glad to help.” Archer glanced at me.