"We'llfind out," she corrected.
He looked at her, and some of the hardness in his expression softened. He pulled her against his side, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
They spentthe rest of the afternoon documenting the damage, taking samples of the dark residue, searching for any sign of who might have been on the property. There were no obvious clues. No footprints, no dropped items, nothing that pointed to a specific person.
Whoever had done this knew how to cover their tracks yet again.
By the time the sun started to set, Chloe was exhausted. The clarity she'd felt that morning had dimmed, replaced by a gnawing worry that wouldn't let go.
Someone was escalating. Whatever game they were playing, the stakes were getting higher. And she was starting to think they were at the center of it.
"Stay tonight," Corin said as they walked back to the house. "I don't want you alone right now."
"I wasn't planning on leaving."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. They were both thinking the same thing.
Someone in Hollow Oak wanted to hurt them. And they had no idea who or why.
24
CHLOE
The Griddle & Grind was packed.
Chloe squeezed through the door, the warmth blasting her face free from the cold February afternoon. Twyla had pushed the tables together in the center of the café, and at least twenty people were gathered around them, chattering over cups of coffee and plates of scones.
Valentine's Day was ten days away, and Hollow Oak took its festivals seriously.
"Chloe!" Twyla waved from behind the counter, her wheat-colored hair piled in a messy bun, her light brown eyes bright with their usual knowing gleam. "Grab a seat. We're just getting started."
Chloe smiled and made her way toward an empty chair near the end of the table. A few people glanced up as she passed. Some nodded politely. Others looked away a beat too fast.
She'd been expecting that. The whispers hadn't stopped just because Corin had defended her. If anything, they'd gotten quieter, more careful, which was almost worse.
But she'd woken up this morning in Corin's bed, his arm heavy across her waist, his breath warm against her neck. She'dfelt strong. Settled. Like she finally had someone in her corner who wasn't going anywhere. She could handle a few awkward looks.
"Alright, everyone." Twyla clapped her hands, calling the room to attention. "Let's get organized. Valentine's Day means the Spring Sweetheart Festival, and that means we need committees. Decorations, food, entertainment, setup and teardown. Who wants what?"
Hands went up around the table. Chloe listened as people volunteered, calling out names and assignments while Twyla scribbled on a clipboard.
"Decorations committee. We've got Martha, Bess, and Linda. Anyone else?"
Chloe raised her hand. "I can help with that. I've got some dried flowers that would work well for centerpieces."
Martha Kinney, a stout woman with silver hair and a perpetually pinched expression, glanced at her. "We've already got a floral plan, dear. Silk arrangements. Easier to manage."
"Oh." Chloe lowered her hand. "That makes sense."
"Food committee," Twyla continued, her eyes flicking to Chloe with sympathy. "Diana's heading that up. Who else?"
"I'll join," said a younger woman Chloe didn't recognize. "And my sister."
"Perfect. Anyone else? Chloe, you make those wonderful herb breads. Want to contribute?"
Before Chloe could answer, Bess Hartley leaned forward. "Actually, Twyla, we were thinking of keeping the menu simple this year. Store-bought items, nothing too complicated. Less coordination that way."
"My bread isn't complicated," Chloe said carefully. "I've made it for the autumn festival before."
