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Isabel stepped closer. “That sounds like more than a routine real estate dispute.”

Frank hesitated. Client confidentiality was crucial, but the article was now public, and Isabel wasn’t seeking privileged information.

“It’s not real estate,” he admitted. “My last job involved providing legal advice to a large defense contractor based in North Carolina.”

As Isabel processed the information, her expression shifted from surprise to something more thoughtful. “That must have been a stressful job,” she said.

“It had its moments, especially in the last six months that I was there.”

Tommy’s voice echoed down the stairs: “I’m coming, Grandpa! I just need to find the astronaut!”

Frank couldn’t tell Isabel everything about his job, but he wanted her to know why he’d moved to Sapphire Bay. “The company I worked for was called Sterling Industries. They had several contracts in place that weren’t following the correct protocol. I spoke to my manager when I realized what was happening, but nothing happened. A few weeks later, I still had major concerns about how they were operating. They were bad enough that I quit my job and moved here. The FBI has taken the company to court.”

Isabel frowned. “Is that why you didn’t go into too much detail about what you do?”

Frank nodded. “For Tommy’s sake, I have to be careful about what I say. What happens in the next few months could badly affect some powerful people.” He trailed off, the implications hanging in the air between them.

Isabel reached across the table and briefly touched his hand. The simple gesture struck him with an unexpected force.

“Are you worried about your safety?” she asked.

“I’ve been worried since I left Seattle. Tommy needs stability and someone who’s always there for him,” Frank said quietly. “What happened at work has put that in jeopardy.”

Isabel sighed. “I don’t know what it’s like to be involved in such a high-profile issue, but I know what it’s like to want a happy life. If you need anything, you can count on my support.”

Frank looked at Isabel—really looked at her—and was struck by a sudden, piercing realization of how much he wanted toshare his life with someone—someone like Isabel, with her quiet strength and generous warmth.

But even as the thought formed, the weight of his responsibilities settled more firmly on his shoulders. He’d done what was asked of him. The FBI had all the information they needed to prosecute Sterling Industries. There was nothing more he could do except wait for the court case to start.

With everything that was happening, Tommy still needed him. And whatever had begun to form between him and Isabel would have to wait. “I’m not sure what difference the article will make to our lives,” Frank told Isabel. “It could mean nothing, or it could change everything we’ve done here.”

Isabel’s eyes widened. “Are you thinking of leaving Sapphire Bay?”

“I don’t know what we’ll do.” Frank looked at the agreement sitting on the table. “I want to stay here. Tommy’s made good friends, and so have I.” The wordswith youremained unspoken, but he wondered if she heard them anyway.

Isabel studied him for a long moment. “You know, I’ve learned that life rarely unfolds how you think it will. The challenges and the good things often arrive all tangled together.”

Frank felt a rueful smile tug at his lips. “Like legal cases and cottage purchases?”

“Among other things,” she replied with a small smile of her own. “Tommy’s lucky to have you. Even with your complicated life.”

Frank thought about his grandson and what he’d gone through after his mom and dad died. “Sometimes, I’m not so sure about that.”

Isabel gathered the purchase agreement, her movements deliberate. “Well, I am.” She straightened the papers with a neat tap against the table. “For what it’s worth, I think there’s alwaysa way to make room for the things—and people—that matter. Even when it seems impossible.”

The simple certainty in her voice gave Frank hope. Perhaps the life he wanted wasn’t entirely out of reach. But as his phone buzzed again with another message from Marcus, he couldn’t quite banish the sense that important choices were looming.

Choices that would shape not just his future but Tommy’s as well. And now, perhaps, Isabel’s.

CHAPTER 12

The midday sun sparkled across Flathead Lake like scattered diamonds. Each ripple caught the light in a dazzling display that made Isabel squint behind her sunglasses. She dipped her paddle into the crystal-clear water, propelling her kayak forward with a practiced ease that surprised even her. It had been decades since she’d done this but, somehow, her body remembered how to keep afloat.

“Isabel! Watch out for that rock!” Kathleen called from her left, her voice carrying across the water.

Isabel adjusted her course with a quick stroke, gliding past the submerged boulder that would have tipped her into the water. “Thanks for the warning,” she called back, laughing. “I was too busy admiring the view to watch where I was going.”

“Some things never change,” Susan chimed in from behind her. “Remember when you paddled straight into that fallen tree at camp because you were watching an eagle?”