Page 215 of Secrets Along the Shore

I met his eyes. “Becca was with a boy that night.”

His face twitched. “I’ve heard that rumor.”

“Do you know who he was?”

Evan shook his head. “No. But it makes sense. She disappeared during the fireworks. She came back alone. Her dress was wet.”

That last detail hooked me like a fishhook. “Wet?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I remember because she was shivering. Claimed she spilled punch on herself, but she reeked of lake water.”

My pulse raced. “I think she was there when Livvie died. What if the boy was too? Maybe they saw something. Or maybe…he did something.”

Evan swallowed hard. “You think Becca’s protecting him?”

“I think she’s protecting someone. Whatever happened has caused her to lock herself away.”

We sat in silence for a moment. Outside the window, people walked the streets, going about their day without a concern.

“I have this recurring dream,” I said. “About the lake. I’m in my rowboat. But last night I dreamed there was another boat. A motorboat. I think someone dumped Livvie’s body that night. I think I might have seen it happen.”

Evan didn’t respond, but the muscle in his jaw tightened. He glanced over his shoulder, and I wondered if I spoke too loud.

“And if I saw it,” I continued, voice softer, “maybe that’s why someone wants me gone. Maybe they’re afraid I’ll remember.”

Evan leaned back, studying me. “Then you have to be careful, Scarlett. Because if you remember the truth, they might try to do more than slash your tires.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle around me.

He reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “But you’re not alone in this. I’m here to help.”

For the first time in days, I believed that might be true. Even if the path ahead was filled with danger. Even if remembering Livvie meant facing the darkness I’ve kept locked away for years.

I glanced out the window again, toward the road that winded back to the lake. Whoever was trying to stop me was afraid of what I might uncover along the way.

Which meant I was getting closer.

Evan pulledhis Jeep into the gravel drive beside the lodge and cut the engine. I glanced back toward my SUV, still sunk low on slashed tires like a sad, wounded animal. Evan stepped out and walked over to it, crouching low to inspect the damage. I followed to the rear of my car.

“All four,” he said after circling the car and returning to me. “Clean cut, like with a knife. Definitely intentional. I’ll call to see what’s in stock. Might have to order them.”

The image of the knife that had protruded from the deck post flashed in my mind. I’d left it in the rowboat. Intentional was right. A message sent to me that I wasn’t alone out here. I folded my arms and tried not to let the sense of violation crawl any higher up my spine. “You really don’t have to go through the trouble of ordering new ones. I can manage.”

Evan’s expression softened. “Scarlett, you shouldn’t have to deal with this. You own the place and have every right to live in peace, but all you’ve gotten is hostility. It’s not right.”

“It’s nothing new. The town never welcomed us.” I looked away, down the road, into the woods, anywhere but at his face. Because it was the truth, and there was nothing he could say to negate my words. I wasn’t welcome here then nor now. I’d hoped time might have changed something—softened old edges or healed the scars of gossip. But maybe those wounds just scabbed over in the years in between.

Or perhaps my presence here represented Aaron Scanlon, and that’s what people actually struggled with. Could I blame them, knowing what I know now?

Evan sighed and looked out over the lake. The sunlight glittered across the water like a shattered mirror. “Then let me be the exception. You deserve at least one person in your corner.”

I smiled, grateful. Not romantically. Not yet. Probably not ever. But friendship meant something. And right now, I needed someone to lean on.

“Come in,” I said. “There’s something I want to show you.”

We walked together into the lodge. He glanced at the living room with its mismatched furniture and faded rugs, not saying anything. But his eyes were curious. Even a little excited. I thought it was kind of cute.

“You want to see the room again, don’t you?” I asked.