Looking back, she could see that it had only been the accident that saved them the first time. She’d embarrassed him in the diner that day, and only the town coming to see her as heroic had changed his mind. If it hadn’t happened, they wouldn’t have gone on. It might have been better because it wouldn’t be so hard to work with him now.

“I’ll go get your things,” Lisa promised.

“No, I’ll do it.” Zep nodded Lisa’s way. “If I let you do it, you’ll probably end up in jail because you can be mean when you want to. Remy would definitely end up in jail. He promised Armie an ass kicking if he hurt you, and my brother always follows through. Turns out I’m the reasonable one here. Who would have thought?”

Certainly none of the three of them. “I’ll text and let him know you’re coming. Thank you. It’s a single bag and Peanut’s stuff. Not much at all.”

She didn’t have much, and it looked like that wasn’t changing anytime soon.

“I think what the two of you need is a bottle of wine and some of the best tater tots you’ll ever have. At least that’s what my cook claims.” Remy gave her a half smile. “You want it up here or you want to go out on the patio? It’s nearly empty and the water is pretty this time of day. I think Otis is hanging out.”

Wine and gators. “Sure. The patio sounds lovely. Give me a minute and I’ll come down. Thank you for letting me stay here. I could stay at the clinic, but this is nicer.”

“That’s not saying much, ma soeur,” Remy replied. “But you’re always welcome. And I hope you’ll seriously consider staying in town even though the sheriff is an ass. Sometimes men are dumb creatures and we need time to sort things out.”

Remy walked out and Zep followed, giving her a salute with his bandaged hand.

The door closed and she was left alone again with her sister and her dog.

Lisa was quiet for a moment. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

She nodded. “I know.”

But inside, the pain . . . god, the pain. He was gone. He probably hated her. He thought she’d intended to hurt his daughter. That was the worst part. He wasn’t out there worrying about her. He was out there hating her, and she missed him. She already missed him.