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He was no better than Garrett. Maybe even worse.

But she had no one to blame for the deception but herself. She should’ve learned her lesson with Garrett and followed her instincts by keeping Asher at arm’s length.

But no…Like a lovesick teenager, she succumbed to his charms.

Her phone vibrated again.

She lifted it off the bed and glanced at the screen. Another message from Dani, wanting to talk.

Forget that.

She shut off her phone, opened the nightstand drawer, and dropped it inside. She slammed it shut and returned to her computer where words like reckless, blame, and irresponsible jumped out at her. She moved her finger over the keypad and closed the browser.

Setting the laptop aside, she rested her head against her pillow and longed to dive deeper under the covers. After yesterday’s rain, she didn’t think she’d get warm again. But she couldn’t stay holed up in her room. Gran needed her attention. After all, that was supposed to be Sadie’s main purpose for being on island.

She started down the hall, then froze when someone laid on the doorbell. Georgie barked, and Gran opened the front door. Then Sadie heard a familiar deep voice. Goosebumps prickled her skin as she slunk deeper into the shadows.

“Give her the envelope and ask her to call me please.”

“I will, Asher. You take care of yourself now, you hear?”

Their voices faded as Sadie retreated and dove back onto her bed.

A moment later, a light knock sounded on the door. It opened, and Gran stood in the doorway, leaning on her four-footed cane. She held an envelope in her other hand. “Asher stopped by. Again. How long are you going to hide from him?”

“I’m not hiding.”

“You’ve barely left this room since yesterday.”

“I’ve had a migraine.”

“Mm-hmm.” Gran’s eyebrow raise showed she didn’t believe Sadie. “Doris and I are heading into town to meet with the insurance adjuster at the bakery. Wanna come?”

And witness her pinnacle failure? No, thank you.

But she should. Even if only to learn what could be done to save the flooded store. But Sadie shook her head.

Being in town meant running into Dani.

She pointed to her computer. “I’m going to catch up on some work, then take a shower.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” Gran smiled and set the envelope on the end of the dresser. “I’m going to leave this right here.”

Sadie watched her retreat. She wanted to call out and ask how Gran could stand the sight of Asher after he lied to her all this time. But truth was, she didn’t really want to hear what Gran would say…which would be that Sadie needed to forgive him.

After Gran hobbled back down the hall, Sadie swung her legs off the bed and grabbed the envelope. She stood in the open doorway and made sure Gran made it safely back to the living room.

Now that Gran was able to manage more on her own and even take short trips into town, maybe it was time for Sadie to consider what was next. After all, if the insurance would cover the damage at the bakery, then Gran could find someone to fix it properly and sell it for a higher amount.

She opened the nightstand drawer, pulled out her phone, and tapped on Lily’s number.

“Sadie! It’s about time. Why have you been ignoring my calls and texts? I stopped by the cottage, but Gran said you were sleeping.”

“You talk to Dani?”

“Yes.” The single word, spoken quietly and without judgment sent another surge of tears pressing against the backs of Sadie’s eyes.

“So you know what’s going on.”