I’m not sure why I’m hesitating. Logically, it sounds like a good solution. Maybe it’s because my poor brain is too exhausted to function properly. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent the last three years carving out a life for myself here in Bliss and I’m scared it’s all falling apart.
“It’s not so bad here.” Ronan offers me a kind smile. “The cabins are really nice. Knox built them, in fact. And there are trails through the woods, so you can walk around and still feel safe.”
“Hazel.” Alec draws my attention back to him. “It’s your choice. If you don’t want to stay here, if you don’t want our help, we won’t push. But think about the alternative. Staying at the Blissful Sleep Motel by yourself, or back at your house, waiting for the overworked police department to investigate your case…”
My pulse quickens.
My chest goes tight.
He’s right. The alternative sounds terrible. And considering what they’re offering, there’s no reason to say no.
“What about work?” I ask weakly. “I need to go. My bills…”
“We can work that out,” Enzo says. “It’s not a problem. We’ll take turns going with you whenever you have to work.”
“My assistant has been asking for more responsibility,” Alec adds. “So I can go with you for most of your shifts and let him take over for a change.”
My pulse jumps. “You wouldn't mind?”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “I wouldn’t mind at all.” A beat, and then, “So. What do you think? About staying here and letting us help?”
Is there really a question of my answer?
I return his smile with a small one of my own. “I think… I say yes.”
CHAPTER 6
ALEC
“Oh, Alec, it’s so cute.”
For the first time since I saw Hazel sitting in the police station, a hint of enthusiasm tinges her voice.
As soon as we step inside the client cabin—well, one of them, since we have three—Hazel comes to a stop; her head on a swivel, taking everything in.
And if I put myself in her shoes, never having seen the place before, I can understand her reaction. The cabinisnice. Better than nice, really.
With a lofted ceiling and large windows, it looks much bigger inside than out. A custom-built stone fireplace sits on one wall, with a comfortable couch facing it. The open-concept living space is decorated all in muted blues and greens and grays; withmatching pillows and throw blankets and painted landscapes.
Beyond the living room, there’s a small kitchen with butcher block counters and stainless appliances and an island with several stools at it. At one end of the kitchen is a handmade wooden table with a chair on either side and a bowl of fruit at the center.
The entire space smells warm and welcoming, the scent reminding me of my parents’ kitchen whenever my mother would bake.It’s air freshener, Winter told me one time, meant to smell like freshly baked cookies. And taking another deep sniff of it, I’d have to agree.
“You like it?” I ask.
Hazel turns to face me. A slight smile touches her lips. “It’s so nice, Alec. When you said cabin… I had no idea.”
“We wanted people to feel comfortable here. I know it’s not home, but hopefully it’s better than a hotel room.”
“It’s better than any hotel room I’ve ever seen,” she replies. “This is like a perfect little getaway. If I were on vacation, I’d love to stay in a cabin like this.”
A moment later, her smile fades. Because she’s not on vacation. She’s staying here out of necessity. And regardless of how nice the cabin is, it’s not home. It doesn’t have all her photos displayed on the walls or rows of travel books arranged on worn woodenshelves. It doesn’t have pale pink pillows on the couch or matching curtains on the windows.
It’s nice. But undoubtedly, she’d rather be home.
But I don’t want to give Hazel a chance to think about all the things she’s missing. Instead, I take her hand and say, “Let’s take a look in the kitchen. We can make a list of things you need.”
As her small hand wraps around mine, my brain shorts out for a second.
