“I understand.” And he did. Bryce was now fiercely independent. He could appreciate that, but when it came to her, he’d always been just as fiercely protective. “What about a compromise?”

“What sort of a compromise?”

“It’s been a while since we’ve been together and in the same town. At least not since high school. You were away at college and I was in the military. Having a steady girl living in the same town is something I have to get used to, as well. That means I’m going to need for you to let me know when you think I’m invading too much of your space. Then I’ll back up. Agreed?”

She nodded, and he saw relief on her face. “Agreed. I guess this time around will be both different and challenging for us.”

He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Yes, but I’m determined to win back your heart, Bryce. For me there has never been another woman. You’re it.” He leaned in and kissed her.

* * *

JEREMY WAS UPSET as he paced his hotel room in New Orleans. That fire hadn’t gotten Bryce and her boyfriend back to town any sooner and the thought of that annoyed the hell out of him. He’d honestly liked her, but like the others, she needed to be taught a lesson. He wouldn’t allow her to play another man for a fool.

He’d read the news article about the fire and the fire department’s ruling of arson. However, he wasn’t worried about getting connected to the fire in any way. He’d checked out the place the day before and hadn’t spotted any video cameras, which was a foolish and costly mistake on Kaegan Chambray’s part.

Jeremy’s only regret was that more damage hadn’t been done due to some old man who’d been on the boat at the time. He hadn’t seen the old man, and according to the newspaper article, the old man claimed not to have seen anything.

Now all Jeremy had to do was figure out a plan to take care of Bryce. He would teach her a lesson she wouldn’t forget.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

WEDNESDAY MORNING, KAEGAN walked into the Witherspoon Café and joined Sawyer and Ray. As he slid into his seat he saw Bryce serving a customer. “Good morning, fellas.”

“Morning,” both Ray and Sawyer replied simultaneously.

“So what’s going on?” he asked them.

Ray took a sip of his coffee and then said, “First for the good news. Bryce might have found someone interested in leasing out my house.”

Kaegan smiled. “That is good news. What’s the bad news?”

“I guess it’s not really bad news,” Ray said solemnly. “I got a call last night that the authorities finally ID’d the guy they thought was me in the car that went off the bridge. You know, the hitchhiker I picked up that day that pistol-whipped me and left me for dead before hijacking my car.”

Kaegan lifted an eyebrow. “How were they able to identify him?”