I kept my gaze fixed on the sink, focusing on scrubbing a stubborn spot off a frying pan. "I'm not sure. Part of me is relieved that the man who kept me on the run is dead. The other part is struggling with what happens next."
She reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'm here, and Nathan is next door. Whatever you need, we'll help. Plus, I get the feeling that Ashton isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Did you see those eyes? The way he looked at you..." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully.
A heat crept up my neck, betraying me, as I placed another dish onto the rack. "Hadn't noticed," I lied.
"Right," Laurie chuckled, obviously not buying it, "and I'm the Queen of England."
We worked in tandem, the rhythm of our task was a familiar comfort. Soon enough, the kitchen was spotless, the evidence of our shared meal with Ashton reduced to a clean stack of dishes.
"Okay, I've got to hit the books if I want to ace these exams," Laurie said, stretching her arms above her head before heading toward the basement door. "Don't work too hard out there, okay?"
"Will do." She disappeared down the steps.
Pulling on a pair of gardening gloves, I stepped out into the crisp morning air. The garden beckoned, a wild mosaic of colors and life that needed tending. I kneeled among the flowers, the soil cool and yielding beneath my fingers. It was here, yesterday, that danger had found me. Today, I felt something different—a sense of release. Ashton had ended the threat that loomed over me for years, the shadow that had been as much a part of this garden as the earth itself. Now, the man who haunted me was gone.
As I worked, methodically weeding, I glanced over my shoulder from time to time. Old habits die hard. Despite my newfound freedom, I wasn't naïve enough to think the world was suddenly safe. At least now, thefear felt like a memory, fading with each snip of my shears.
As the sun climbed higher, warming my back, I made a silent promise to myself—to live boldly, to savor this peace, and to never let the darkness of the past dictate the shape of my future.
Chapter 9
Erin
The late morningsun spilled across the linoleum floor, casting a warm glow over the laundry room as I folded the soft, still-warm towels from the dryer. Every single towel in the Montgomery Inn’s guest rooms was thick and plush like this.
Each room boasted a spacious ensuite bathroom, complete with oversized rainfall showerheads and tubs that invited long, lingering soaks. I wanted to provide things I valued most in a hotel room and refused to cut corners, ensuring the best quality, from the luxurious toiletries to the high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and a selection of pillows to suit every preference. Forget flashy pools and spas. This was about creating a truly restorative stay without unnecessary extravagance.
With a sigh of relief, I pulled the last towel from the dryer. The neat stack on the counter seemedto signify some minor victory, as if organizing the towels had somehow calmed the chaos in my mind.
Just as I placed the final towel atop the others, there was a gentle tapping at the back door. I wasn't expecting anyone. The memory of yesterday's ordeal, of Vito standing in my own home, slammed into me, making my stomach clench. Stock Creek wasn't exactly bustling with unexpected visitors, especially not for me. Though everyone was perfectly polite, I'd always sensed a quiet distance, an unspoken barrier that never quite let me feel like one of them.
"Who is it?" I called out, my voice tight with a hesitant fear.
"It’s Nathan," came the muffled reply.
Relieved, I took a steadying breath and unlatched the door, reminding myself the danger was over, Vito was dead.
"Come in, come in." I pushed the door open to reveal Nathan standing there. He was a handsome man in his forties. His salt-and-pepper hair, visible beneath the brim of his familiar cap, framed a face etched with rugged lines. His brown eyes, warm and steady, met mine, lending an approachable air to his otherwise commanding presence.
"Morning." He greeted me with that easy smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, lines that spoke of years of kindness.
"Morning," I said with a hint of relief. I stepped aside, allowing him to shuffle into the kitchen. The sight of him brought a semblance of normalcy to the strangeness that had settled over my life since yesterday.
"I was just folding laundry," I mentioned, gesturing vaguely toward the laundry room. "Can I get you some tea?"
His gaze lingered on me, a touch of concern knitting his brows. I knew why he was here; news in Stock Creek traveled faster than wildfire. There were things I couldn't share, even with Nathan. Yesterday's events felt like a dream, too fantastical to speak out loud. I mean, who would believe I thought I saw a dragon?
"Thanks, that would be good." Nathan slid his hands into his pockets.
I filled the kettle and set it on the stove. The comforting ritual of making tea was a welcome distraction from the gnawing anxiety that had taken up residence in my stomach since yesterday.
"So, what happened?" Nathan asked gently, leaning against the kitchen counter as the water heated. "I saw the police car out front yesterday and wanted to check on you then but figured you needed space. Is everything okay?"
Nathan wasn't just my neighbor, and after Laurie, he was the first real friend I'd made in Stock Creek, his kindness a steady presence during lonely evenings andchallenging days, often shared over coffee at this very counter. His easy-going nature had chipped away at my guarded reserve, turning polite waves into genuine conversations, and eventually, a comfortable camaraderie I hadn't realized I craved.
I glanced at him over my shoulder, appreciating his tact. It wasn't like I could have explained even if he had come by. "Thanks for waiting," I said. "It's been... a lot."
The kettle whistled its readiness, and I poured the steaming water into the teapot, the soothing scent of chamomile and lavender filling the room. I motioned Nathan to sit at the small kitchen table.
