Mateo leans down. “I said back up. Can you hear me now?”

The reporter tries to scramble backward and is stopped by a decorative pot that’s bursting with flowers. “I’m going to press charges,” he gasps.

“I’m the one who’s going to press charges,” I say, recovering from my shock. “I was going to let your trespassing on my property slide, but I don’t think I will. In fact, Mateo? Can you drive me to the police station? I want to get this on the record.”

“Just stop.” The reporter gets to his feet, one hand clutching his nose. “Stop. I’m leaving. Fuck’s sake. I’ll stay out of your way. Crazy bastard.”

“Great,” says Mateo. “I’m glad we understand each other.”

“Uncle Mateo,” Paige whispers. “You’re not supposed to hit people.”

He makes his eyes wide. “What? Are you serious?”

“Yeah. You can get in big trouble for making people get a nosebleed.”

“Oh, man.” Mateo rubs the back of his neck. “You think I’ll get in trouble?”

Paige giggles. “No. I think people like you too much to get you in trouble.”

We’ve reached the hospital doors. Paige reaches for Mateo’s hand.

This is it, isn’t it? This is how it starts. A family walking into the hospital. It’s not the most ideal situation. I don’t want Beau to be hurt. I don’t want Joe to have gotten free. But I’ll make sure that Beau is okay. And Joe is already under custody again.

Everything isn’t right in this moment, but it’s getting there.

“We’re going in together,” Mateo tells Paige, and he meets my eyes over her head. “You and me. And your mom. We’re going to see Uncle Beau, give him a hard time for getting himself shot. And then we’re going back home. Together. Are you good with that?”

A family. He saw it before I did, but then I had learned not to trust men. I’d learned not to trust myself, but that’s changing. I’m stronger now. “Together,” I say, putting my hand in his.

*     *     *

Thank you so much for reading the Rochester series! If you love Beau and Jane, I have great news for you. You can get a bonus scene if you sign up for my newsletter…

You can also read the story of Marjorie, who owns the Lighthouse Inn…

Marjorie Dunn is hiding in plain sight. The past can’t find her at the peaceful inn she owns in a quiet coastal town in Maine.

Until Sam Brewer walks through the door. He arrives in the dead of night, with a dark suit and storm-gray eyes.

Marjorie knows better than to trust this stranger, but she can’t resist his touch. Every kiss binds them together. Every night draws the danger close.

She risks her heart with him, but more than that, she risks her life.