He grinned. “You’d be surprised how often those two intersect. Building someone a home, restoring what’s been damaged, it can bring up a lot of feelings.”

“It’s made you pretty damn observant, too,” I muttered.

He held up both hands in mock surrender. “I just call ‘em like I see ‘em. You don’t have to listen to a word I say.”

I made a humming noise in the back of my throat. The problem was, I couldn’t unhear Hunter’s words. Forget his astute observations. I had been standing alone on my island for as long as I could remember. And for the first time, Brody had coaxed me off. But the second I got scared, I went running back. I didn’t know any other way.

I sighed and patted Hunter’s arm. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Anytime. And you know you’re always welcome to come to our Saturday night get-togethers at The Catch. Caelyn and Griffin always go. My brother and his fiancée. A couple of other friends. It might be good for you to get out and about. Be with people and listen to some live music.”

His offer tugged at my heart. The sheer kindness of it. “I’ll think about it. Thank you.”

Hunter gave me a chin jerk. “Open invitation.”

“I’m heading into town for mail and supplies. Do you need anything?”

“Nope. All good here.”

I moved before I could think twice, reaching up on my tiptoes to give Hunter a quick peck on the cheek. “You’ve got a kind heart. Make sure you keep it that way.”

Hunter flushed. “Don’t tell Brody you kissed me. I don’t want to get fired.”

I choked on a laugh and headed for the dock. The entire trek to Anchor, Hunter’s words played on an endless loop in my head. I saw the merit in them. And I sure as hell didn’t want to live the rest of my life never letting another soul truly see me. Was that what I had signed up for? I’d been so sure that Michael wouldn’t last a month out of detention before doing something to get sent back. But it was almost April and…nothing. I checked arrest reports weekly for his name and hadn’t seen or heard a peep.

Guilt gnawed at my stomach. What if he had been rehabilitated, and I was just determined to cast him as the villain forever? Then I remembered the note and I shivered. I wished I was wrong about Michael, but I didn’t think I was.