I made my way out of the house and down the path towards the construction site. The crew was larger today, unfamiliar faces mixed with the ones I knew. Hunter waved, finishing up a conversation with a man I didn’t recognize. “Hey, Brody.”

“It’s a full house today,” I said, taking in everyone moving in and out of the building.

“It’s time for the guts of it all, and that’s a lot of moving pieces. Did you need something? Or were you just coming to check it all out?”

I turned away from the studio and back to Hunter. “I was wondering if you knew anyone who did security systems.”

Hunter’s brows rose. “Security?”

I heard the words he didn’t say. Ones that would inquire why I needed a security system when I owned the whole island. “Yeah. With that trouble back in New York, it might be smart. As much as I think having this place to myself will be more than enough protection, I’d rather be extra cautious.”

“I’m sorry you’re getting that much grief. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.”

In that moment, I realized Hunter was one hundred percent genuine. If I’d told him we needed twenty-four-hour patrols, he probably would’ve been the first to sign up for a shift. “Thanks, man. That means a lot. I really just need to know my options when it comes to a system for this place.”

He nodded, his gaze drifting back to the studio and then to the surrounding forest. “You have perfect timing on the studio. We can pre-wire it, and then whatever service provider you use can simply hook it up. I don’t know as much about how you can have an alert for someone unknown docking on the property, but I have a friend you can talk to. Griffin has a killer system at his place on Anchor. He’ll probably have some ideas for where to start.”

“If he’s willing, that would be great.”

Hunter pulled out his phone. “Let me walk up towards the house so I can get some service and I’ll call him.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you going above and beyond.”

He grinned. “Welcome to small-town life. We look out for each other here.”

It was a new experience, looking out for your neighbors. In my building in New York, I might have known two of my neighbors. And they certainly hadn’t jumped in when I needed help. Then again, I’d never asked. But life on the islands was different. And I just might be a little different, too.

14

Shay