Refuge Cove was supposed to be a sanctuary. The last thing Naomi wanted was to bring danger with her.
Her jaw tightened.
So why did it feel like danger constantly loomed around the place? Just last week, a private investigator had been found murdered near the woods behind her property. Then the ex-husband of Millie Anderson, one of their guests at the shelter, had found Millie.
Naomi and Caleb had all the proper safeguards in place . . . but there were things they simply had no control over. The unknown was a liability they couldn’t account for.
The property’s iron fence came into view through the trees, dark and deliberate against the woods. Dagger-point pickets traced the perimeter, uncompromising and familiar. The gate stood closed, keypad blinking patiently.
This was Refuge Cove.
The sprawling white farmhouse nestled farther back on the rise, a pond stretching out front. The kennels sat off to one side, with a smaller run nearby where dogs could stretch their legs without feeling penned in.
Naomi tapped in the code, and the gate swung open with a soft mechanical hum.
She pulled through and eased down the drive. Micah followed through the gates behind her.
She parked near the garage and shut off the engine. Micah’s SUV rolled to a stop behind her.
The dog shifted, ears perked, then leaned into her again as if to remind her that she had a new best friend.
“I know,” she murmured, rubbing his chest. “Did God send you to me?”
He tilted his head and barked as if he understood her.
Her phone buzzed in her purse.
Naomi reached for it, and her pulse ticked faster as she opened the message.
It was from Gio.
Dread filled her gut as she read the words.
How are you? I know it’s been a while. I’ve been trying to give you space, but it’s hard. I miss you. I’d love to come for a visit so we can talk face-to-face. What do you think?
Naomi stared at the screen, the words blurring before snapping back into focus.
Her throat tightened.
Did she want Gio to visit? It had been more than a year since she’d left New York. She’d tried to stay after her attack, but she couldn’t. Her anxiety had spiraled out of control, and she needed somewhere with a slower pace as she healed from her attack.
Her memories of that night still hadn’t returned. Sometimes, she felt ready to give up hope that they ever would. That the person who’d attacked her would be brought to justice.
When she’d first moved here, she’d invited Gio to visit. He had multiple excuses about why he couldn’t. But he wanted to come now?
His refusal to make time for her back then had confirmed to her that the two of them weren’t meant to be together. Their breakup had almost felt like a relief.
She stared at Gio’s message. She didn’t know how to respond.
So she didn’t. Not now.
She had other more important things to worry about at the moment.
Gio could wait.
Micah dreaded the conversation he’d come to Refuge Cove to have. But he wanted Caleb and Naomi to hear the news from him in person.
Naomi was still seated in her vehicle when he climbed from his SUV. The way she looked down made him think she was looking at something on her phone.
