Now that I’d finished the documentary, and after a short break for the holidays, I would officially start the process of moving my life back to Ember Hollow. It would be a jarring transition, but I had no doubt it was the right choice. The network was willing to let me record my show remotely for the remainder of my contract, and Emersyn had offered to rent me space in her podcast studio.
Once my contract ended, I could decide whether to renew or strike out on my own—maybe even partner with Emersyn to start my own podcast. The idea was tempting.
The front door opened, and Reid stepped outside. His phone was clutched in one hand, jaw working as he stared at the screen.
He glanced at Fox. “They’re almost here,” he said, voice tight.
Fox stiffened. “Are you sure?”
I looked between the two brothers.
Reid nodded. “Pretty sure. They just called me.”
Fox squeezed my hand so tightly it almost hurt.
“What’s going on?” I finally cut in.
Reid shoved his phone into his back pocket and moved toward the porch steps. He scanned the small parking area beside the bed-and-breakfast, then looked up and down the street.
“You’re certain they’re coming?” Fox pressed.
Reid nodded again, then his gaze rested on mine. “I’m really sorry about this, Skye. This wasn’t how this was supposed to happen.”
My stomach dropped, heart hammering. I shot a wide-eyed look toward Fox. “What is he talking about?”
Fox grimaced.
Then, a flash of headlights pulled his attention to the street. His body tensed even more as a black sedan rolled up, parking along the curb in front of the house.
Reid threw Fox one last concerned look before heading down the steps toward the vehicle.
I frowned as the driver’s side door opened and a tall man stepped out. Reid met him at his vehicle, worry etched on his face. They spokebriefly in the glow of the outside lights. The man was older, his dark hair streaked with silver, and he had a bushy beard to match.
The man glanced at me once before turning back to Reid, giving a short nod, and climbing back into the sedan.
Reid returned quickly, taking the steps two at a time.
“One of you better tell me what the hell is going on right now,” I demanded, looking between them.
They were obviously hiding something, and it was taking all my will power to remain calm on this porch swing. The once perfect, peaceful night had grown tense.
Reid sighed. “This wasn’t supposed to happen today. They weren’t supposed to show up here—but it seems that woman listens about as well as you do.”
“Explain,” I muttered through clenched teeth.
They exchanged another look, which was infuriating.
Fox lifted my hand and pressed it to his chest, like he was trying to anchor me. The gesture only made me more nervous. My pulse rushed in my ears.
“Reid never stopped looking for your mother,” Fox said slowly, cautiously, like he was treading on thin ice.
I blinked at him. That didn’t make sense. “Ash said she was dead.”
“I know.” Reid nodded. “I was hoping to find her body…so you could bury her.”
A spike of adrenaline shot through me. “Did you?”
“Not exactly.” Reid shook his head. “I’ve been working on this for months—trying to figure out what might have happened to her that day. I never found any unidentified bodies that matched, and since she wasn’t Jane Doe—I widened my search.”
