After the cop left. Louisa excused herself for the night. Danny had given her the key to the inn’s only empty room.

“You should get some sleep.” Conor dried the frying pan and hung it on the overhead rack. He draped the dish towel over his shoulder.

“You sure you don’t want the bed? I doubt I’ll sleep.”

“Nah. The couch’ll be fine.” Conor slapped Danny’s shoulder, then pulled him in for a full hug. “I’m glad you’re not dead, baby brother.”

“Me, too.” Danny hugged him back. He trudged up the narrow staircase to his room. Stretching out on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. Jaynie was safe. She could live like a normal person now that Nathan was dead. He’d accomplished his goal.

But the business with Mandy had left a hole in him. He wasn’t angry that she’d slept with Nathan. He’d manipulated the whole town. Mandy was lonely, overworked, and stressed. She was vulnerable to a predator like Nathan.

But her lie still stung.

Sunlight streamed through the dining room windows. Blinking, Danny walked in. Guests were tucking into a full breakfast. A rush of nervous energy prodded his blurry brain. Mandy must be back. He continued through to the kitchen.

Disappointment stopped him like a smack on the chest. Conor was at the stove. He had a griddle going and pancakes stacked everywhere. Louisa shuttled a platter of bacon to the dining room. A few strands of hair had escaped the cool blonde’s super-tight bun and frizzed around her face.

“Your curator looks a little frazzled.”

Conor gave him his up-to-no-good grin. “I know.”

“Did Mandy come home?”

“I didn’t hear anybody come in.” Conor grabbed a pair of tongs and turned slices of bacon in the frying pan. “People were hungry, so…”

The hell with propriety. Danny opened the door to the apartment. The quiet was disturbing. “Shit.”

“She’s probably at the hospital with her mother and brother. Why don’t you just go find her?” Conor turned off a burner. “This is hardly rocket science, Danny. You obviously have feelings for her.”

“It’s complicated.” Danny told him about the blackmail. “She lied to my face. I’m having a hard time with that.”

“Do you think if Jed had lived and you had died, that he’d be having this discussion?”

Danny looked out the window. The clear air and bright sunshine held the promise of a beautiful spring day. New beginnings. He had no doubt that if the situation had been reversed, Jed would be with Mandy now. Jed had loved Mandy with his whole heart, enough not just to forgive her, but to die for her. Did Danny have that kind of love in him?

“Two questions.” Conor wiped his hands on the dish towel hanging over his shoulder. “Do you love her? And would you have done the same for Jaynie?”