Page 5 of Hargrave Artistry (Brookwell Island)

Over the next two days, Natalie spotted Jackson and his ostentatious rental car a few more times around Brookwell, but he didn’t return to the Hideaway. She’d warned Veronica, but he didn’t show up at the house either.

Thank every lucky star for that.

Jess had promised to work up a current background report to figure out why he was here. Natalie had done her due diligence. And she meant it when she’d warned him that she’d be honest if anyone in town asked her about him.

But she couldn’t shake his comment about being in real estate.

More than a distraction, she’d caught herself worrying.

Her hands would go still while she was sketching or framing a sculpture, ugly memories from the past drifting across her vision.

She’d had to restart a project for an upcoming school session a couple of times.

Knowing better than to push herself, she went back to the beach. Better if she played with sand castles and sketches than allow this bleak mood to destroy her stockpile of intriguing bits and pieces. Packing up, she returned everything to the gallery storage room before heading down to the water.

She was rounding the corner from the service alley when Jackson’s car rolled down Central Avenue. Ducking out of sight, she was immediately annoyed with herself. This was her town, and though Brookwell thrived on hospitality, Jackson wasn’t the kind of tourist they needed.

She sent a text to Jess and then continued on her way. And if she walked quickly, who could blame her? The island beach was lovely.

It didn’t take long to find a relatively open spot on the beach near the water on a weekday morning.

As soon as she dug her hands into the wet sand, her creativity flowed unchecked.

She built up a small hill, added a castle, then circled it with a tiny town that was destined to wash away with the incoming tide.

The short-lived sculptures gave her a boost of satisfaction, a no-pressure outlet. She lost herself in the building of a new and improved castle as the tide reclaimed the first.

When her phone rang from her back pocket, it startled a yelp out of her. Laughing, with her hands full of sand, she let it go to voicemail. Once she rinsed her hands in the surf and dried them on her shorts, she checked the message.

According to Caller ID, the call had come from the Citadel. She couldn’t think of a single person she knew at that esteemed institution. The message, from the director of the educational outreach department, invited her to teach an interim session over the winter break.

How weird and wonderful.

As far as she understood it, a majority of the students attended the Citadel with the intention of going on to military careers.

Then again, Natalie believed that the more you knew about art, the more you appreciated life.

In her mind, that enrichment made an impact and carried over, no matter what a career might entail.

Plus, it was a paid position. One she suspected would pay better than most of her short-term guest teaching spots. She planned to be here with her sisters for the holidays anyway.

Just as she started to return the call, another call came in.

This time it was Jess. Natalie answered right away. “Hello. You must’ve seen my text.”

“Hey. I did,” Jess confirmed. “Please don’t stress about your ex. We’re on it.”

Natalie breathed easier at the confidence in Jess’s voice. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. But I have an update on the earlier issues at the Hideaway. I know Celeste is out of town, but if you and Veronica could come by, I’ll fill you in.”

“Good news or bad?” she asked. “I mean, obviously we’ll be there either way.”

Jess chuckled. “Good news. I wouldn’t keep you in the dark about problems. But I thought you’d appreciate a face-to-face.”

“Thanks. I’m free now,” she said without thinking. “But Veronica’s working home visits today and tomorrow.” Her sister wouldn’t be home until later this evening.

“Well, swing on by whenever you get a minute,” Jess said. “It’s nothing that requires any specific action. But I wanted y’all to have the details. I’m in the office until five today.”

Natalie almost laughed. “I’m on my way.”

She pocketed the phone and slowly pushed her foot through the sandcastles. Usually, she let the surf take care of her creations, but something about the low-stakes destruction felt good in the moment.

She swung by Veronica’s house just long enough to change clothes and brush the sand out of her hair.

Twisting her long locks up into a bun, Natalie decided to take her car rather than walk or bike over to the office.

Because it was faster, she told herself.

It had nothing to do with Jackson lurking around.

In the parking lot that fronted Jess’s office, she saw the fire chief, Evan Miller, walking to his car, along with Trent Blakely. Neither of the men noticed her.

How interesting. She wondered if Trent’s consulting was somehow tied to the Guardian Agency. Seeing the Fire Chief, Natalie hurried toward the office, hopeful that the authorities had found the person behind the arson incident at the Hideaway.

“Hey!” She called out walking inside. “Let’s hear the good news.”

Jess waved her over to the desk. “Have a seat. You were speedy.”

“Don’t let the word get out,” she joked. “I like the advantage when people underestimate me.”

“My lips are sealed,” Jess promised with a laugh. “Thanks for coming in. Chief Miller just swung by to tell me that they suspect the arsonist that hit the Hideaway has struck again.”

“Celeste told us there’s a database.”

“That’s right,” Jess confirmed. “In theory, it makes it easier for them to catch serial arsonists.”

“Good.” Natalie gripped the frayed edges of her denim shorts. “Was the fire here on the island?”

“No. South of here. In Georgia,” Jess explained. “Much of the scene was similar to what happened at your place. The fire extinguisher on site had been removed and later found well away from the fire. But this time he was caught on camera.”

“I’d happily identify him if any of us had seen him.”

“No worries. Although we don’t have any video surveillance that gives us a clear look at him, there are similarities. Starting with a secluded residence, the accelerant used, and the likelihood that he came and went from both fires by boat.”

“Wow.” Natalie sat back, a little awed and uncertain.

“Chief Miller expects the authorities to make an arrest soon. They have a sketch out now and they’re going to circulate it up and down the coast.”

“Well.” She felt a wave of relief. “My sisters will be thrilled. This is great news.”

“It really is,” Jess agreed. “And the boat angle may actually lead us to the culprit who used a drone to harass your guests a few weeks ago.”

“It sure would not be nice to know why we were targeted.”

“The authorities will definitely try to get that information from the suspect. Could take some time,” Jess warned. “And anything he says might be a bunch of lies.”

Natalie understood. Her relationship with Jackson had trained her to be skeptical.

“I’m sure the seclusion will play a part,” Jess mused.

“It’s a big selling point,” Natalie said. “That private beach keeps us booked.”

“Also makes the Hideaway an attractive target.”

“Is that your way of urging us to keep up the extra security?”

Jess grinned. “Y’all can discuss it. I would definitely keep the cameras in place. I won’t push for any more than that once things settle down.”

“Meaning after Jackson Griggs leaves town?”

“It’s a consideration,” Jess said.

Natalie sighed. “He gives men a bad name,” she groused. “I’ll share all of this with my sisters and we’ll let you know if we want to make changes.”

“Sounds good.” Jess leaned back in her chair. “Since you’re here alone, do you want to hear about Griggs?”

“Never.” Natalie swallowed. “And yes. What’s he up to? Please tell me he’s the arsonist and will get locked away for years.”

Her stomach twisted and dropped. It had been a joke, but what if…

No, that was silly. Jackson wasn’t the kind to get his hands dirty. He liked playing the part of the wealthy businessman too much to risk doing anything that would undermine that perfect first-impression image.

More than anything, she wanted him far away from Brookwell. Her sisters shouldn’t be saddled with the fallout from her youthful bad choices.

Jess turned back to her computer. “He’s been up in Baltimore running some interesting real estate deals that skirt the edge of legal.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Of course he has. But why come down here?”

“I’m not one hundred percent sure,” Jess admitted. “From what I can find, he’s snooping around, possibly looking for a way to force his way into your Hideaway business.”

“But there isn’t,” she stated. Although she had already been divorced when they legally began the Hargrave Hideaway, she’d had her own attorney look through her divorce papers to make sure Jackson had no claim.

“Natalie, relax,” Jess urged. “I suspect your ex was in the area and used the opportunity to upset you.”

Natalie swore. “He was so nice when we met.”

“Aren’t they always?”

Laughing with Jess eased some of the tension building in her shoulders. “Do you think it was the publicity around the sculptures?”

“Maybe,” Jess allowed. “It’s possible that put you back on his radar. But he isn’t using his credit cards in and around Brookwell, so I don’t think he’s going to be a problem.”

“Let’s hope not,” Natalie muttered. “I’ve thought of changing my name, but now would be tough. I’m finally gaining momentum with my artwork.”

Jess smiled in sympathy. “Don’t change your name for him. But your artwork will be popular no matter what you call yourself.”

“Thanks for that.” Natalie stood. “I’d offer you a complimentary stay at the Hideaway but that’s hardly an escape for you.”

“How about an invite to your next campfire on a family week?” Jess suggested. “The three of us would love that.”

“Baby’s first s’more?”

Jess cackled. “Maybe this time next year. But Nash and I are definitely willing to indulge.”

“Consider it done, my friend.” Natalie looped her purse over her shoulder. “Thank you for everything.”

Lighthearted and hopeful, she walked back to her car. In the driver’s seat, she called the outreach director at the Citadel and accepted the interim post. The pay was even better than she’d anticipated.

Life was good. The Hideaway was secure. And her professional reputation was gaining steam.

Resting her hands on the steering wheel, she felt the buzz in her palms. Her creativity was bubbling over, eager for an outlet. Knowing herself, she placed an order for delivery so she would not only remember to eat, but to go home and celebrate all the great news with her sister.

The End…