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Chapters (49)
  1. Cover
  2. chapter one
  3. chapter two
  4. chapter three
  5. chapter four
  6. chapter five
  7. chapter six
  8. chapter seven
  9. chapter eight
  10. chapter nine
  11. chapter ten
  12. chapter eleven
  13. chapter twelve
  14. chapter thirteen
  15. chapter fourteen
  16. chapter fifteen
  17. chapter sixteen
  18. chapter seventeen
  19. chapter eighteen
  20. chapter nineteen
  21. chapter twenty
  22. chapter twenty-one
  23. chapter twenty-two
  24. chapter twenty-three
  25. chapter twenty-four
  26. chapter twenty-five
  27. chapter twenty-six
  28. chapter twenty-seven
  29. chapter twenty-eight
  30. chapter twenty-nine
  31. chapter thirty
  32. chapter thirty-one
  33. chapter thirty-two
  34. chapter thirty-three
  35. chapter thirty-four
  36. chapter thirty-five
  37. chapter thirty-six
  38. chapter thirty-seven
  39. chapter thirty-eight
  40. chapter thirty-nine
  41. chapter forty
  42. chapter forty-one
  43. chapter forty-two
  44. Epilogue
  45. Discussion Questions
  46. Acknowledgments
  47. About the Author
  48. Praise for Denise Hunter
  49. Also by Denise Hunter

Aiden’s ears perked up, noting the absence of sound. “The rain stopped.”

She straightened in her seat, eyes gleaming. “The storm’s over.”

chapter sixteen

The storm left as suddenly as it arrived. From the deck Sophie anchored the window shutter in place, then wiped her hands on the dishrag.

A gray abyss yawned overhead, stretching toward the horizon where it met the blue of the sea. Waves undulated on its expansive surface, rolling ashore with loud crashes. The beach itself was littered with flotsam. Small branches and twigs cluttered the backyard, but thankfully there’d been no damage to the house.

She looked to the top of the ladder where Aiden secured the bedroom shutter. He leaned in as he worked, long legs pressed against the aluminum rungs. His biceps bulged beneath his short sleeves as he struggled to secure the shutter.

They were almost done. He’d confirmed that the airport had opened, and she’d reserved a rental car and left a message at a towing facility. He’d be leaving in a couple hours.

She shook away the gloom. Alanda had texted to let her know the boardwalk shops had also lost electricity. Sophie would have to make do with natural light as she painted and use flashlights once the sun had set. She wouldn’t let that sour her mood, though. Today was the start of her bright new beginning.

She shielded her eyes against the bright sky as she peered up at Aiden. “Well, I’ve finished my windows; what’s taking you so long?”

He smiled down at her, that charming half smile that was so dangerous to her well-being. “Why’s everything a competition with you, Lawson?”

“That’s why I win, Maddox.”

“You seem to have forgotten our Yahtzee game.”

“Maybe I let you win because you’re such a sore loser.”

He laughed as he latched the shutter in place, then started down the ladder. “Since you’re so good at this, I think I’ll let you do the last window.”

She steadied the ladder as he descended. “I’ll probably get it done more quickly anyway.”

“Be my guest. I’ll pick up the sticks in the yard after I return a call.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can clean up tomorrow. But if you can take me to Budget, I’d appreciate it.”

He checked his watch. “We should have time for both.”

She stepped aside as he reached the ground. Then he picked up the ladder and moved it to the last window. “It’s all yours.”

He secured the ladder and held it in place as she ascended. It barely shook under Aiden’s firm grip. Once she reached the third rung from the top, she braced herself.

“Thanks,” she called down. “I got it from here.”