“I know you do,” Lynda said with a knowing smile. “It’s written all over your face.”
Isabel looked across the store. It was too soon to feel so lost without Frank, especially when they hadn’t known each other that long. The worst thing was that Frank and Tommy could be gone for weeks. She needed a distraction, something apart from work that she could do to make the time go fast.
Her eyes drifted to her open planner on the counter, and she suddenly remembered something she hadn’t done. “I never called Denise Wilson about that house.”
Lynda followed her gaze. “The one on Maple Street with the sunroom?”
Isabel nodded. “With everything that happened, it completely slipped my mind. I should call her and see if it’s still for sale.”
Lynda gave her a curious look. “You’re still going ahead with house hunting? Even with everything that’s happening with Frank?”
Isabel nodded. “Especially with everything that’s happening,” she said finally. “I need to build my life here—for myself, regardless of what happens with Frank. And when he comes back with Tommy, I want to have my own place, somewhere I feel safe.”
She flipped through the planner until she found Denise’s number. “Besides, whether Frank returns next week or in six months, I’ve made my decision about Sapphire Bay. This is home now.”
Lynda squeezed her shoulder. “Call her. I’ll open the store.”
As Lynda unlocked the front door, Isabel dialed Denise’s number. A strange sense of purpose settled over her. With its lake view and garden, the house had appealed to her from the moment she’d seen the listing. It was practical yet full of charm, solid yet ready for someone to make it their own.
Much like her, she realized with a small smile.
“Denise Wilson,” a cheerful voice answered.
“Hello, Denise. This is Isabel Stewart. I’m calling about the house on Maple Street. Is it still available?”
“Yes, it is, Isabel. Are you interested in viewing it?”
“I am,” she said with a quiet certainty. “Can I see it today?”
As she arranged a viewing time with Denise, something shifted inside Isabel. Whatever happened with Frank, with Sterling Industries, with all of it—she was no longer just waiting for life to happen.
She was making choices, building foundations, and creating a home that could weather whatever storms might come her way.
CHAPTER 36
Frank sat at the small dining table in the safe house. His coffee was growing cold as he reviewed the documents William had given him that morning. The prosecutor’s office had sent over the most recent filings in the Sterling case—motions and counter-motions that would determine the shape of the trial. He was supposed to review them, flag anything concerning, and provide context where needed.
Instead, his mind kept drifting back to his conversation with Isabel. The sound of her voice had been like a lifeline, pulling him back from the memories of what had happened.
“You’re not reading, Grandpa.” Tommy was looking at him from the other end of the table. One of the agents had found some homework sheets, and Tommy was starting on the math problems.
Frank smiled ruefully. “I’m thinking about Isabel.”
Tommy nodded. “I like how she talks to me like I’m a real person, not just a kid.”
“She’s pretty good at that,” Frank agreed, surprised by how important that must be to Tommy.
Agent Ramirez appeared in the doorway, her dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. “Got a minute, Frank? William’s on the line.”
Frank nodded, setting aside the legal documents. “Keep working on those math problems, buddy. I’ll check them when I’m done.”
When he was out of the room, Frank took the secure phone Ramirez handed him. “William. What’s happening?”
“We’ve got movement,” William said without preamble. “Dave Winters was spotted meeting with two men at a rest stop outside Kalispell. One of them matches the description of a known contractor Sterling has used for security in the past.”
Frank’s jaw tightened. “You’re thinking he was the shooter.”
“It’s a working theory. We’ve got surveillance on all three men now, but I wanted you to know they’re still in the area.”
