“With that kind of thorough assessment you could probably do my job.”

Dealing with criminals all day sounded like the ultimate nightmare to her. “No thanks.”

He leaned against the table, facing her. “Now that you’re breathing better there are a few things we need to do.”

“Like?”

“You should come into the office to work until we can get a handle on who is sending you these notes.” When she started to protest, he kept talking. “The more you’re around people, the harder it will be for anyone to get to you. Being out here, by yourself in this house all the time? Not good.”

“It’s my home.” She rented it, but then, everyone on Whitaker rented. It was a private island owned by a mysterious person who didn’t pipe up and identify themselves. But she loved the cottage. It was out of a fairy tale with the flower trellis around the door and a garden out back, just off the patio. She’d loved it from the second she saw it.

“You need security,” he said.

“I have a gun.” One that she might start carrying on her at all times.

He rolled his eyes. “So do I.”

That news caught her off guard. “I thought the town board didn’t let you carry one.”

He crossed one ankle over the other. “Protocol changed. Do you know how to shoot?”

“I learned that when I learned about how to handle a threatening letter. It was all part of the protection training. I had a handbook and everything.”

“Really?”

“Evan insisted.” She’d logged in hours at the shooting range and in self-defense classes. She had no idea if either would help if danger really knocked on her door, but she could at least sleep an hour or two at a time now without waking up in a panicked sweat.

“Right.” He stood up again. “Come to the office with me and we’ll work out a plan.”

She shouldn’t ask because it was weird for her to show too much interest, but she needed to know. “I don’t think you answered me. Is Hansen’s brother okay?”

“Connor is fine.” Ben was too busy bagging up the note to look at her.

“Good.”

He looked at her with an expression that dared her to lie to him. “But you’ll need to apologize and explain.”

Her muscles stopped working. “What are you talking about?”

He glanced at her. “Really?”

She tried to deflect because how could he know? “About an accident or whatever? Probably kids. Or someone got confused. I’ve just been here . . . you know. Answering phones.”

“That’s a lot of rambling.”