“I know.” For the first time, the guilt I was feeling had nothing to do with Violet’s death. I knew that it wasn’t my fault. I’d done what I could to avoid the deer, the cliff, the oncoming truck. I’d done the best I could with what I had. It hadn’t been enough, but it wasn’t my fault. It was no one’s fault.

Hunter’s startled gaze jumped to me. “You do?”

“I do.”

“So you’re not going to run?”

Shit. I had messed things up so badly with my brother. He was just waiting for me to bail on him again. Just like Bell. I clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, Hunt. I’m actually thinking about staying.” It had been circling around in my mind for weeks now. Bell had forgiven me, she was giving me a chance, and I could put up with nosy, judgmental islanders if it meant I had her.

His eyes widened. “Staying?”

“I’m trying to figure out a way to make it work.” It would take some creative configuring, some back-and-forth travel to LA, but I could do it.

“Does Bell know that?”

“I don’t want to tell her anything until I’ve got it all figured out.” The last thing I wanted to do was promise Bell something and then go back on my word. I didn’t think we’d survive it. Not to mention, the past two weeks had been hectic, to say the least. The bar had been packed, more with nosy locals wanting to know what had happened than anything else, but I’d take their money with a smile. I’d had to make trips to another island for follow-up doctor’s appointments since I didn’t think it was a good idea to make an appointment with Anchor’s only doctor—Bell’s father. My parents needed assurance that their son was safe and recovering. I’d hardly had a moment alone with Bell.

“I think you should tell her.”

“I will.” When the moment was right.

My brother gave me a slap on the back and then took hold of my shoulder. “I love her, too. And if you hurt her…” Pain flashed in Hunter’s eyes. “Just don’t.”

I stiffened. “There’s not—there was never anything like that between you two, right?” Bell had said there wasn’t, but something about my brother’s tone set me on edge.

Hunter scoffed. “No. Nothing like that.” His gaze drifted back to Bell’s form on the beach. “That doesn’t mean I don’t care about her, though. Just don’t hurt her.”

I swallowed hard. “I’ll do everything I can to prevent that from happening.”

“Good.”