She pulled on sweatpants and a long T-shirt, then found her trainers in the closet. A walk. That’s what she needed. A good brisk walk to clear her head. The boardwalk she’d seen from the car looked like the perfect place for it.
Mia moved to the adjoining door and pushed it open slightly, checking Lila’s room.
It was empty.
She smiled despite herself. Eve and Lila weren’t back yet from their shopping trip. Good. They deserved time together, and Lila deserved to explore without her mother’s anxiety casting shadows over everything.
Mia was glad she’d decided to give this trip a chance, even with the deep-seated fear of Florida that had been sitting in her chest since William first mentioned St. Augustine.
Her mother had hated Florida. Not hated, exactly. More like she’d been adamant it was the one place she’d never go. Ever. Too many alligators, she’d said. Too many extra-large snakes for her liking.
That was probably why Mia had this weird fear of the place. Her mother’s fears rubbing off on her over the years.
Mia grabbed her room key and headed downstairs, keeping her head down and her footsteps quick. She managed to get through the lobby without running into anyone, relief washing through her as she pushed open the front door. Mia really didn’t feel like indulging in pleasantly polite conversation right now.
The evening air hit her face, cool and salt-tinged, and she breathed it in deeply.
“Good afternoon.” A deep voice sounded in front of her.
Mia jumped slightly and looked up.
Preston Langford stood in front of her. He’d clearly just arrived back from wherever he’d been. His coat was still buttoned, and his smile was warm and polite.
“Oh, good afternoon,” Mia said, forcing herself to return the smile.
A chill ran down her spine.
She didn’t know why. The man had done nothing wrong to her. He’d been perfectly polite when William introduced them earlier. His manner had been nothing but gracious and friendly. The man was obviously very wealthy as well. Heck, his coat alone probably cost more than her car, the kind of tailored wool that spoke of wealth and good taste.
But something about him made her skin crawl.
“Lovely time for a walk,” Preston said, stepping aside to let her pass.
“Yes, it is,” Mia said, moving past him quickly. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” She bolted without looking back.
The boardwalk stretched ahead of her, wooden planks gleaming faintly in the afternoon light. She started walking, her pace quick and purposeful, trying to shake off the unease that had settled over her.
A figure appeared ahead of her, jogging toward her from the opposite direction.
The man from the dining room. The one who’d sat alone at the table near the window. He was older, maybe mid-forties, with an unremarkable face that reminded her vaguely of Phil Collins.
Mia almost smiled at the thought.
They passed each other with an acknowledging nod, the universal language of strangers sharing space, and he continued jogging back toward the Inn.
Mia kept walking.
Her hand found the locket at her throat without her thinking about it. Her fingers stroked the smooth metal. Once. Twice. Three times. Four. Five.
She realized what she was doing and dropped her hand, frustration flaring hot in her chest.
“Stop it!” Mia hissed aloud to herself. “This is ridiculous.”
“Sorry?” A deep male voice came from behind her.
Mia spun around, her heart jumping into her throat.
The good-looking man, who she figured to be around her age, from the dining room stood a few feet behind her, a camera hanging from his neck and a backpack slung over one shoulder. His expression was curious but friendly, no judgment in his eyes.
