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After Trent had inspected each book several times, he concluded that only one journal had pictures in it. He analyzed the similarities in those photos, and Liberty moved to the large window. The moon shone brightly on the deserted beach. The ocean was calm, and Liberty felt so different standing here, in the Stone family library, than she’d felt so many years ago when she would talk to his mother and hang out with the beach crew and his family. It wasn’t just that time had passed. A lot of time—a whole lifetime, in fact. But it was that she was so different. Being back in South Port had awakened a side of her that she’d forgotten about, sparking memories of people she’d forgotten about.
Her grandmother had always been trying to get her to come to South Port. A pang of remorse hit her; she should have moved to South Port and lived with Ian. Well, maybe she would have done that if she had discovered the affair sooner.
“You okay?” Trent asked, resting his hands on her shoulders.
She turned to look at him, startled back to the here and now. “Yeah. Sorry, I don’t know how long I was off in la-la land.”
Gently, he kissed her head and pulled her back against him. “It’s okay.”
It felt so good to be in his arms, so right and so wrong at the same time. She glanced her phone and noted that it was almost midnight. “I’d better go.”
“Sure. Let me take you home, and then I’ll bring your car in the morning when I come help you move stuff.”
Liberty gave in to accepting his help one final time. “Okay.” She looked at the pictures he’d lined up. “But what about the pictures and the clues?”
“We’ll have the meeting. I’m sure it will be at least an hour or two, but I’ll come at about ten, if that works.”
She shrugged. “Works for me.”
“And I’ll make you brainstorm with me about it all tomorrow too, if you’re up for that.”
“Of course.” She was already looking forward to it. “Always a puzzle to figure out surrounding the gold.”
“Yep.” Trent kept her hand in his while they walked down the three flights of stairs, through the hallway, and out to the garage. “Let’s take the truck.”
A fine idea, as far as her tired brain was concerned. “Sounds good.” She didn’t know how she’d suddenly become this person who agreed to things so easily.
The drive passed by in companionable silence, and when they arrived at her house, he ran around and opened the door for her. It didn’t surprise her when he walked her to the kitchen door and offered, “Do you want me to do a security check?”
“I probably need one. I swear I’m losing my mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“At times I think I’ll hear something fall or I’ll hear people, but it’s probably nothing.”
His eyes narrowed and he moved to the door. “Wait here.” He pulled a gun from behind him, and she was shocked that he had one on him. “Stay here. I’ll be quick.”
In less than ten minutes, he returned. “All clear.” He put the gun back.
“Thank you.” Liberty was grateful for his protective care.
They stood there awkwardly. He shuffled in place like he was waiting.
“Do you want me to kiss you?” She couldn’t help but laugh.
“Only if you want to.”
She sidled into his arms, tilting her head up, and leaned into his soft kiss.
He seemed to be deciding something; then he pulled back and let her go. “We’re taking it slow, right?”
“Right.” Unrest assaulted her. “I just … feel a bit guilty, too.”
He took her hand, his face becoming somber. “Listen, just because you kiss me doesn’t mean you didn’t love your husband or your son.”
Her head dipped in a noncommittal nod; she didn’t want to think about Will.
He squeezed her hand. “Like I said, I can take this as fast or as slow as you want.”
