Page 49 of One Night Years Ago

Her eyes softened.

“Come inside, Hunter,” she said, standing aside.

His eyes lit up, making him look a decade younger than his real age.

“You’re not used to people trying to help you, are you?”

He chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”

She led him to the kitchen.

“Some tea? Water? That’s about all I can offer you.”

He perched his large frame down on one of her high stools, his boots planted comfortably on the ground.

“Water’s fine. Thanks.”

“You can’t blame people for being curious and worried, Hunter. This isn’t the Sharp’s Cove we know. Two girls have been attacked in the last two weeks. One of them is dead.”

His gray eyes grew wary.

“You can’t hide out at the farm like a hermit, Hunter. It makes you look—”

“Guilty? Is that what you were going to say? You can say it, you know.”

Fine wrinkles appeared on her forehead. “This is getting old, Hunter. I know you didn’t do it. But I also know it’s largely your fault that nobody looked for the real culprit back then. So that’s what I’m trying to do now.”

“You think I don’t know that? It keeps me awake at night. For over a decade, every time I managed to get online, I searched for Sharp’s Cove, each time fearing I would find he was back. And now he is.”

She bridged the distance between them and stood next to him. Her hands reached out to grab his and he held on as if they were a lifeline.

“I’m going to find him. He’s going to pay for his crimes.”

Hunter continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “I would leave town, I swear, but I don’t have anywhere else to go. I can’t uproot my mother and Jesse. The farm is all we have.”

“It’s nice to hear how important I am in your plans,” she said.

“I didn’t mean—”

“Relax, it’s okay, I’m just teasing. I was serious, though. I think you need to let people get to know you, Hunter.” Before she could second-guess herself, she went on. “I have just the perfect idea.”

“Really? That sounds ominous,” he drawled. He seemed to be more in control now, more like the Hunter she knew. He had his own demons. Twelve years in prison, of course he did. But he was back in charge now.

“I’d like you to come with me on Saturday to a barbeque.”

“A barbeque?” He rolled the word in his mouth like he had no idea what it meant.

“That’s right. It’s Helen and Jake’s engagement party.”

“And you want us to go … together? As in … a date?”

She pondered his words for a moment.

Am I ready to date Hunter?

“If you need to give it a word, I guess that’s one we might use, yes.”

His gray eyes connected with hers. His were filled with despair.