Page 14 of Tides of Change (Seacliff Cove #2)

CHAPTER TWELVE

Garrett

I rang Ethan’s doorbell, leaning into the field of the camera with what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

The early afternoon sun cast deep shadows over the porch, but it did nothing to ease the tension knotting my stomach.

My feet ached in my boots from hours spent canvassing the neighborhood, and I felt the sting of failure in the pit of my gut.

The lock clicked, and Ethan opened the door, his hesitant smile a reflection of my own reservations. “I hope you have good news.”

I exhaled deeply, letting the breath settle my thoughts. “May I come in?”

Ethan’s smile faltered. He stepped aside, his movements stilted, as though bracing himself for disappointment.

Inside, I stopped in the entryway, his familiar cedarwood scent wrapping around me.

His brow knit with worry. “Did you find anything?”

I propped my hands on my hips, and frustration simmered just below the surface. “Someone jammed the door cams all up and down the street around the time they left the locket on your porch.”

Ethan’s lips pressed into a tight, colorless line, his shoulder brushing against the door as if steadying himself.

“But I found a witness. Barbara Hendershot, three doors down.” My hope had soared for a moment, to be dashed.

“She saw a person walking along the sidewalk wearing a baggy hoodie, ball cap, and oversized sweatpants. About five-ten. Carrying a black device in their hand. Said she thought it was a man because she didn’t see any hair sticking out from under the cap and hood. ”

Ethan’s gaze grew distant for a moment, his eyes clouded with thought. Then, with a small nod, he murmured, “A man. Sounds about right.” His focus sharpened, and his eyes locked onto mine. “Anything else?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, that was it. They probably came in from the beach path. No suspicious vehicles in the area.”

“Okay,” he said softly, the weight of the news clear in his voice.

He stepped over to the side table, picked up a glossy tri-fold brochure, and held it out to me like it explained everything.

I frowned. “A home security system? You already have one.”

“I’m upgrading to a wired camera,” he said, voice low but steady. “No more jamming.”

I met his eyes and gave a short nod. It was a smart move—but the fact that he had to make it twisted my gut. “Good idea.” I hooked my thumb toward the door. “I’ll head out. Let me know if you need anything.”

He didn’t say a word, just offered a tight smile as I stepped onto the porch. I waited until I heard the deadbolt slide home before turning back toward my SUV, every instinct in me on edge. Because someone had made him feel unsafe. And I wasn’t going to let that stand.

An hour later, I sent him a text.

What would you like to do on Saturday? Any errands you need to run?

Could you take me to the farmers’ market? I need some organic foods.

I started typing It’s a date and immediately erased it, shaking my head. What the hell was I doing? We were just friends—I didn’t date men.

But…did I want to?

The thought landed like a slap—sharp, unexpected, impossible to ignore.

Since my high school crush on Leo had been buried under the weight of locker room expectations and silence, I’d only been with women. Dated them, even had a child with one. I’d never questioned it. Not really.

Not until Ethan.

He shook the foundation of everything I thought I knew about myself. It wasn’t just his looks, though I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t attractive. It was the way he made me feel—like we meshed. It was the pull toward him that defied logic.

Maybe I shouldn’t take so much for granted. Maybe Ethan had slipped past my defenses before I’d even realized it.

Come over at 10.

See you then.

I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat and sighed. I needed to clear my head, but one thing was certain: Ethan wasn’t just another case.

I couldn’t wait for Saturday.