Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “I see. I was pretty apprehensive about coming. I almost changed my mind several times.”
“Me too. I’m guessing that’s normal.”
“Probably.” Valentina paused. “Is it just the two of us?”
“No, there’s another woman. Sissy. I’m sure you’ll meet her later.”
They worked for several minutes in silence.
Millie wanted to ask questions, but she knew they’d seem too personal. It was better if the residents here didn’t know too much about each other . . . right?
But she wanted to know where Valentina was from. Who she was fleeing from. How she’d heard about Refuge Cove.
She kept the questions quiet . . . for now.
She didn’t want to let her emotions and fear dictate her actions.
For a moment, the room felt smaller. The steady hum of the dryer seemed louder. The house’s easy rhythm faltered, just slightly, like a skipped beat.
Millie focused on the towels in front of her, smoothing the edges, stacking them square. She told herself this was nothing. Just her nerves talking.
But the uneasy feeling lingered.
For the first time since she’d arrived at Refuge Cove, Millie realized she was no longer listening for danger outside the walls.
She was watching for it inside.
Caleb pulled his gloves tighter and dragged the rake to the edge of the drive, pulling dried leaves into a long, satisfying line.
He worked methodically, breath steady, shoulders still tight.
On occasion, he paused and looked up, scanning the sky.
Nothing moved.
He hadn’t seen the drone again, but every time he blinked and opened his eyes, he thought he saw it hovering.
Footsteps crunched behind him.
Caleb straightened, smoothing the edge of his surprise before it could show.
He turned and found Millie standing a few feet away, jacket zipped, hands tucked into her sleeves. Biscuit lingered at her side, watchful. She held a rake in her hands.
His throat went dry at the sight of her, and he instantly scolded himself for the reaction. This wasn’t the time to be attracted to her—especially not when she was a guest here.
But it was hard. She was so beautiful and lovable, and he desperately wanted a do-over. He wanted to believe their paths had crossed again for a reason.
And they had—so he could keep her safe.
That was what he needed to keep in mind.
He cleared his thoughts and nodded toward the rake. “You don’t have to do that. I’ve got it.”
She glanced at the rake, then at the piles of leaves around them. “Looks like you could use help.”
“But—”
“But nothing. I need something to do. I’m finished with the laundry. You need help. There’s only one thing that makes sense right now.”
