Page 11

Chapter Ten

Harper sat with the information Knox provided for the rest of the day. Uneasy, she settled for a phone call with Trina to sort out the best way to make amends to the displaced guests.

Trina had gone above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome, yet Harper felt it was imperative to make an additional gesture. With Trina doing the legwork at the Inn, Harper sent her apology, complete with fresh flowers from Island Bloomers and a special sailing tour guided by Miles Kearney.

The sailing tour had been Knox’s idea. Harper was equally impressed and grateful with his creative insight. She’d been delighted when Miles agreed. They didn’t have a contentious history, but he hadn’t been too receptive when she’d approached him about a business partnership several months ago.

Miles was one of the nice guys. She hadn’t dated him, but he was the kind of man who reminded her that decent men were out there.

She might even have noticed them if she hadn’t been so hung up on Knox for all this time.

For now, with Walker still roaming about freely, they stayed close to the B&B. Knox did his best to pretend life was normal, but that was impossible when they were basically sharing a house and a bed, with a frustrating shadow of doom looming over all of it.

What did Walker want from her?

When Bruce called to say he’d identified the employee who had let the arsonist into the resort, she tried to feel relieved. The police had made an arrest. The legal wheel was turning. And Walker was still in the wind.

She reminded herself it wasn’t her job to be the investigator. Walker wasn’t her problem to solve. Still, no matter how she threw herself into her work and told herself this interlude was temporary, she was falling in love with Knox.

This couldn’t go on indefinitely. Somehow, she had to protect herself. During a break, she mentioned returning to a more normal routine. Knox immediately shut her down, even dismissing the idea of her moving back with her parents.

But at some point, they’d either need to change locations or call an end to this level of protection. She wasn’t sure which outcome she’d prefer.

As much as she enjoyed this time with Knox, she could feel the heartbreak waiting to happen.

She jumped when the doorbell sounded, grateful when Knox came out of the kitchen to check. “Are you expecting someone?” she asked, frustrated when her voice squeaked, revealing her anxiety.

“Stay where you are,” he said. Suddenly a grin brightened his face. “On second thought, come on over.” He swung the door open and her brother stepped inside.

Stunned, at a loss for words, she simply rushed forward to give Rhett a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“My sister’s in trouble. Where else would I be? Besides, I haven’t made Sunday brunch in over a month. Mom was getting peeved.”

Maybe the boys didn’t get off as easy as she and Trina believed after all. “But what about the Cove?”

Knox closed the door and locked it as Harper steered Rhett toward the kitchen.

“If the Cove can’t operate on its own for a weekend, I’m doing something wrong.”

Harper couldn’t argue with that. Inspiring a team and training them up to be autonomous was the business model their parents believed in. It would have been impractical to take on more properties and consistently expand the business if they required a family member to be there day in and day out.

“Mom and Dad will be happy to see you,” she said. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Water is great.”

She stared at him. “Since when? You’ve always been a coffee or Coke guy.”

“You got a problem with me making an effort to be a little healthier?” He ran a hand down his flat midriff. “I think they call that codependence. Maybe enabling?”

She rolled her eyes. “Water it is. You do look great.”

“I’ve been working out with Max,” he said.

“Seriously?” Knox’s eyebrows lifted. “He’s tough.”

“Should I know who Max is? Oh wait,” she said as the name clicked. “He married our wedding planner down at the Cove, right?”

“ My wedding planner,” Rhett corrected her. “You’ve got to get your own.”

She stuck out her tongue. “Right now, we have a short list of excellent wedding planners, thank you very much.”

“No one beats Ilsa,” Rhett pushed.

“You won’t rattle me.” She’d been tested too often these past days.

Her brother snorted. “I would never try.” He winked. “Besides, it’s too easy and you make it too much fun.”

“Maybe I’ll skip brunch this week,” she said to Knox.

He shrugged. “I’m adaptable.” He brewed a cup of coffee and leaned back against the counter. “Bruce said it’s being hosted at the Inn this week.”

“What?” Everything about Rhett tensed up. “Since when?”

She rolled her eyes. He had issues with Trina that seemed to go way back. “You did hear about the fire?” she asked sarcastically.

“Well, yeah.” He spread his arms. “That’s why I’m here. Why can’t we do brunch at the hotel downtown? Why not Mom and Dad’s place?”

Because of her.

Brookwell allowed Knox more control of the situation. They wouldn’t be on the road for more than a few minutes coming or going.

“You got a problem with having it here on Brookwell?” Knox asked, far too casually.

Harper knew Rhett wasn’t a fan of the Inn, mainly because their family didn’t own it. Silly reasoning, rooted in his highly competitive nature. “I assumed if you’re visiting, you’d be staying there,” she said just to tweak him.

“I thought I’d stay here,” he shot back. The glint in his eye told her he suspected there was more going on between her and Knox than simple protection.

“Fine by me,” she said, refusing to let him get under her skin.

“Me too!” Knox chimed in. “Bedrooms are made up and ready to go.” He took a slug of coffee, his gaze never leaving Rhett. “You gotta clean up after yourself, though. We’re renting the whole house and we sent the staff away.”

“For their own protection,” she said.

“To simplify the situation,” Knox corrected. “With just the two of us, I don’t need any backup inside.”

Rhett stared down Harper. “Well then you’d be doubly protected with me here too.”

She turned up her nose. “I feel safer already. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got email to deal with.”

“One second.” Knox filled up a reusable water bottle for her. “Stay hydrated.”

Always. She went back to her laptop, ignoring the low murmur of male voices behind her.

Eventually Rhett would discover that only one of the four bedrooms was in use. She was almost looking forward to his reaction. She wasn’t ashamed that things had turned personal—intimate—between her and Knox. If her brother couldn’t take it, he could find somewhere else to stay.

* * *

“Why are you really here?” Knox demanded as soon as Harper walked out.

“Told you.” Rhett rolled his shoulders. “Mom’s been nagging me.”

“For brunch? Come on, you can do better.”

“Fine. She wanted me to check on her,” Rhett admitted. “She worries.”

“Your mom doesn’t think I have this under control.” Hell, she probably thought he was in on it somehow. That’s the kind of low manipulation his dad preferred.

“You’re wrong,” Rhett said. “She trusts you with Harper.”

Then why was he here? Clearly Rhett wasn’t in the mood to put all his cards on the table. “Whatever you’re dancing around, Harper’s happy to see you. That’s what counts.”

Rhett wouldn’t meet his gaze. He flexed his fingers. “Landon Walker is behind this, huh?”

“Good news travels fast,” Knox muttered. It wasn’t even the infamous Brookwell Island gossip grapevine this time. “You must’ve harassed Bruce to get that info.”

“Unlike you, he volunteered quite a bit now that the perceived risk to the family has been dialed back to just Harper.”

“You guys aren’t going to pull her from the resort, are you?” She’d be devastated. She cherished that business like a child.

Rhett rocked back on his heels. “Hell no. That’d be nuts.” He looked around. “Don’t tell her I said that. None of this is her fault, but I’m glad she’s not over there right now.”

“After that fire I’m pretty sure she is too,” Knox said. “Not out of concern for herself, but because of?—”

“The guests,” Rhett finished for him. “Harper is always about the guest experience. Unless there’s a discussion about staff satisfaction rates.”

Knox chuckled. The siblings knew each other well.

Rhett gulped down the water in his glass. “So, tell me what’s going on between you two? I can’t believe you’d take advantage of her situation.”

“Careful, man. That’s thin ice you’re skating on.”

“I’m her brother.” He folded his arms. “Who are you?”

A sudden, palpable tension simmered. “I’m her protector.” He set his coffee aside. If this was escalating, he wanted to be ready to take it outside. No way would he tear up the Hargraves kitchen over an inappropriate debate.

“That’s not all,” Rhett accused. “Just admit you made your move.”

“Remind me why any of this is your business,” Knox countered. “You never gave a damn who she dated before.”

He couldn’t believe he was baiting his friend—and the brother of the woman he was more than halfway in love with. Harper would be furious when this obnoxious chat got back to her. Plus, the whole argument was dumb. His feelings were generally irrelevant, especially with his parents somehow mixed up in this.

Harper deserved one of the good guys—the truly good guys. He was a walking complication on too many levels. Her trust had been misplaced or outright betrayed too often. It was only a matter of time before she started doubting him, or his motives, or wondering what details he might be feeding to his parents.

“So, you are more than a protector with her,” Rhett stated. “About damn time.”

Wait. Knox couldn’t have heard him correctly. “What?”

He held up a hand. “Spare me the mushy and gory details, but I had to come see for myself.”

Knox grabbed Rhett and steered him out of the kitchen through the sliding door.

“Hey, lighten up.” Rhett shrugged out of Knox’s grasp. “Aren’t you listening? I’m on your side.”

“I don’t want her overhearing any of this crap.”

Rhett’s gaze turned lethal and his voice chilled. “Why is that?”

“I’m not using her.” Knox clarified immediately. He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “But she’s had her fill of people discussing her relationships. Even family.”

Rhett muttered an oath, his temper subsiding. “She’s had more than her share of bad luck and disappointment. I have a list of guys I haven’t punched yet.” He glared once more. “I can add you to that list.”

“No need for that.” Knox laughed. “Hell, if you can find Walker, I’ll hold him for you before we call the cops.”

“What’s taking so long?”

“I wish I knew.” Knox couldn’t hide his frustration. “Assuming our theories are right and Walker is behind the arson, threats, ransom, and harassment, he’s gone off the deep end. Targeting her doesn’t make sense. It’s self-destructive and goes against everything we’ve learned about his behavior. Harper told us he leaned into his charm and charisma when they were involved.”

“I only know him peripherally,” Rhett said. “His name comes up occasionally on land deals. I can’t give you any insight into his end-game.”

“He has to know this isn’t the way to win her over.”

“So, he’s just pissed off and blind with it? That’s not good.”

“An understatement,” Knox murmured. He longed for action. For some tangible strategy beyond keeping Harper sheltered from a man with unknown motives. “She won’t admit it, but you’re the distraction she needs.”

“Glad to be useful.” Rhett stretched his arms over his head, then cracked his neck. “Really glad to be out of Key West for a few days. Max is brutal.”

“Yeah, he is.” Knox had first-hand experience thanks to the agency’s mandatory refresher courses. “Why train with him? Unless you’re looking to make a career move.”

Rhett snorted. “I found boxing suits me. Anything else I learn just makes me more helpful wherever I go, right?”

“If you say so.” Knox studied his friend. Rhett was hiding something, but he didn’t press. There was no way Rhett would do anything to harm his sister or anyone else in the family.

“Is the family brunch really at the Inn this weekend?”

Knox nodded. “Trina’s gone above and beyond to support Harper and help out.”

“Of course she has. Hospitality is in her blood.” Rhett’s sudden smile looked forced. “I’ll make a point of thanking her. For now, I want to see this private cove.”

“Make yourself at home.”

Although he’d deal with it if Rhett did crash here with them at the B&B, he selfishly hoped Rhett chose to stay elsewhere. He was sleeping too well with Harper in his arms and didn’t want to give her an excuse to end things so soon.

Rhett’s appearance was a stark reminder that Harper had strong support. She had her own money and a high-profile career she adored. In short, he couldn’t think of any good reason she’d need him once her case was resolved and Walker was in custody.