Page 29 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Yep. That part was rough. But we know where we stand now, right?”

“Yes.”

His voice was husky as he asked, “No doubts? You know the score?”

It was difficult to force the words I wanted to say from my tight throat. Not because I didn’t feel the emotions, but simply because I’d been taught not to express them. But I wasn’t going to let the past control me. “I love you, and you love me,” I said softly.

“That’s right, Max.” There was a smile in his voice. “That’s exactly right.”

****

“I couldn’t believe it. He was staring right in the window at me.” Amelia pressed the pad of her compact to her nose as she spoke. “I could see his face as clear as day. His eyes were so dark and vacant. It was awful.” She examined herself in the little mirror, turning her head to different angles.

We were at breakfast the next day, and Amelia was recounting her Peeping Tom adventure for the rest of the group. I listened distractedly as I poured syrup on my waffle, wishing it were whole grain. It seemed to me Amelia was enjoying all the attention she was getting just a little too much. I expected her to start doing autographs any minute.

“Did he try to get into your cabin?” Hermina asked, looking alarmed.

“No, nothing like that.” Santiago shook his head. “I don’t think he meant us any harm.”

Scowling, Amelia said, “But we don’t know that because Sheriff Callum didn’t catch him. We have no idea who he was or what he wanted.”

“He was just looking. He didn’t try to break the glass.” Santiago frowned.

“Yes, he was looking atme,” Amelia said. “I don’t know why that’s just okay with you.”

“It’s not okay with me, but the guy is gone. I’m trying to look on the bright side. He’s gone, and you’re fine. I prefer to think about that.”

“That’s an excellent mindset. One should always look on the bright side if possible.” Gianna twirled her red hair around her finger as she fluttered her fake lashes at Santiago. “At least Amelia had you in the cabin to protect her, Santiago.”

Santiago puffed out his chest. “That’s right.”

Amelia squinted at the other woman. “That’s not the point.”

“I think it is,” Gianna said softly. “I’d give anything to have Santiago inmycabin.”

“I’ll bet you would,” muttered Amelia, pulling out a tube of lip gloss.

I was surprised at how brazen Gianna was about her interest in Santiago. I didn’t quite get why these two women were fighting over him. I didn’t understand his appeal. He was an okay-looking guy, but he was at least a decade older than both women. I felt his goatee and man bun made him look scruffy, not sexy. Obviously, I had no idea what attracted women. Perhaps his Zen vibe was to women what catnip was to cats.

“Maybe Santiago and I are on the same page because we both teach yoga.” Gianna lifted her arms into the air. “We understand the importance of keeping our mind free of negativity.”

“That is important.” River nodded. “Good vibrations attract more good vibrations.”

Tell us more, oh wise one.

I met Lucas’s pained expression, and my lips twitched.

“Well, there’s nothing good about a Peeping Tom,” groused Amelia.

I was distracted when Chloe tried to put bacon on my plate. “Oh, I don’t need bacon, thank you.”

“You don’t want bacon?” Chloe looked as disbelieving as if I’d announced I didn’t need oxygen.

“No, thank you.” I gave what I hoped was a polite smile.

She blinked at me. “But we get this fresh from the Ruttle’s Hog Farm a town over. You’re never going to find fresher bacon unless you go out and literally bite a hog.”

I laughed because I thought she was joking.