Harmony Island Gazette

22. Boone

The afternoon sun beat down on me as I sat in the driver’s seat of my truck. I was mindlessly scrolling though a social media app on my phone as I tried hard not to think about Juniper. I’d made the stupid decision to drive by the lawyer’s office earlier to see if she was there, only to see her standing on the sidewalk with her mom.

I prayed that she didn’t see me as I took the first available right and drove down some residential streets until I was certain she couldn’t find me if she wanted to.

I’d been worried that she was doing this alone, so when I saw Mrs. Godwin I felt both relieved and worried. They were home, which meant Juniper had told them I’d disappointed her. I couldn’t only imagine what they thought of me now.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and tipped my head back. I’d slept in my truck last night, and my body ached. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew my broken heart was the cause of most of that pain.

I missed Juniper and worried about her at the same time. It was a circle of hell that I never knew existed. But I’d stay here if it meant Juniper was happy.

A soft knock on my car door had me sitting up and glancing over. I half expected to see one of the neighbors coming over to see if I were alive. Instead, I was staring into the eyes of Mrs. Godwin. Her eyebrows were drawn together as she studied me.

“Mrs. Godwin?” I asked as I sat up straighter before peeking over at her once more.

“Boone.” Then she frowned. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she glanced around.

I hurriedly opened my door. Thankfully, she must have anticipated what I was going to do, because she stepped out of the way. I jumped to the ground and slammed the door behind me. I pushed my hand through my hair and glanced over at her once more.

“This is my mom’s house,” I whispered, hating that she was standing here, staring at me. I felt raw. Like my entire history had been exposed in an instant.

She ran her gaze over the house before she turned back to me. “Oh,” she said softly.

I frowned as what was happening finally caught up with me. “What are you doing here?” Then I paused. “How did you know where to find me?”

Mrs. Godwin waved away my comment. “Honey, this is a small town. Secrets don’t stay secret for very long.” My look must have told her that I didn’t believe her. A moment later, she sighed. “I was at the post office, and I overheard Ewin asking Patty if someone had bought Hannah Grimes’ house down the street. He said that there was a black truck parked in the driveway overnight.” She waved to my truck. “I knew it had to be you.”

“Oh.” I shoved my hands into my front pockets and shrugged. I should have known my presence would draw the attention of the residents in Harmony Cove.

We stood in silence for a few moments before she turned her attention back to me. “What happened, Boone?”

I closed my eyes as I fought the emotions that rose up in my chest. I didn’t know how much truth to tell her. I didn’t want yet another person to look at me like Juniper had last night.

When I didn’t respond right away, she took in a deep breath. “How do you know Collin Baker?”

I looked at her. “Collin Baker?”

She nodded.

“He’s been calling me about acquiring my mom’s house.” I nodded toward the house. Mrs. Godwin followed my gesture. “I’ve been trying to ignore his phone calls. He came to your house Wednesday morning, but I told him to go away.” I blew out my breath. “I’m not ready to sell.”

Mrs. Godwin narrowed her eyes. “I need you to answer every one of my questions.” She held up her forefinger. “No lies.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“Are you working for Kevin?”

Her question startled me. My eyes widened. Is that what Juniper thought? “Of course not.”

Mrs. Godwin studied me before she nodded. “Did you tell Collin or Kevin about the baby?”

A wave of protective energy surged in my chest. “Hell no.”

Mrs. Godwin didn’t seem phased by my response. “Good.” Then she grew serious once more. “Did you share any personal information about Juniper?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know Kevin or Collin. I’ve only talked to Collin about my mom’s house, and if I saw Kevin again…” My voice trailed off. I didn’t want to expose Mrs. Godwin to the slew of curse words that were about to leave my mouth.

I refocused my thoughts as I held Mrs. Godwin’s gaze. “I would do anything to protect Juniper and that baby.” My voice broke, but I continued anyway. “I would give my life just so they could live.” That was easy. They deserved to be happy. I didn’t.

Mrs. Godwin’s eyes widened at my confession. And then a knowing look passed through her gaze. “You love my daughter?” she asked.

It was the first time I’d heard those words spoken out loud. I stood there, processing what she’d just asked me, but also knowing that I swore to tell the truth. So I just nodded. “I do.”

She was silent for a moment. “Good. Then you’ll help me.”

I frowned. “Help you with what?”

She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “She’s meeting Kevin tonight.”

I swore.

“I told her not to go. I told her to ignore him. But she wants to say goodbye. She thinks she owes it to him.”

“Juniper,” I whispered under my breath.

“I need you to be there. You don’t have to let her know that you’re there, but I need someone to protect her.” She narrowed her eyes. “Can you do that?”

“Of course.”

She held my gaze before she nodded. “Good. I’ll find out where they are meeting, and I will text you.”

“Okay.”

She paused before she suddenly wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. She held me for a moment before letting go. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she studied me. “You’re a good man, Boone.” She glanced over to my mother’s house and then back to me. “Your mom would have been proud of the son she raised.” She smiled at me. “I know I would be.”

My heart ached at her words. I wanted to tell her to stop talking, but at the same time, I didn’t want her to stop. I didn’t deserve her praise. If only she knew how I’d failed the one person I should have protected. “Thanks,” was all I could whisper.

Mrs. Godwin lifted her hand and rested it on my cheek as she smiled up at me. “Whatever happened between the two of you, I’m sure she just wants the best for you.” She shrugged. “That’s all moms want.”

The emotions in my throat felt like they were strangling me. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to speak, so I just nodded.

She patted my cheek a few times before she pulled back and smiled at me once more. “I’ll text you,” she said before she fished around in her purse for her keys and pulled them out.

I nodded again.

She said goodbye, and thankfully, I managed out a goodbye as well. She smiled as she made her way over to her car and climbed inside. I waved at her as she drove down the road. I lingered outside my truck until her car was out of sight.

Now alone, I pulled open the door and climbed inside. My body felt like dead weight as I sat in the seat and stared out the windshield. I was grateful that Mrs. Godwin came. At least now, Juniper’s reaction yesterday made sense. I’d felt so confused with her standing there looking so hurt and broken.

I wanted to rush to her. I wanted to explain what had happened. But I feared the trust between us was already broken. Would she open herself up to me again?

Did I deserve that?

I stared at Mom’s house. I knew the truth before I could even think the words. Juniper deserved someone better than me. I was too broken for her. If I truly loved her like I told Mrs. Godwin I did, then I would walk away. I would let her find someone who could give her more than I could. I didn’t want her to have to carry my baggage.

She was pure and perfect, and I was a beast.

I shook my head. Once I made sure she was safe, I was going to leave and never look back.

If I confessed everything to her and she asked me to stay, I would never be able to leave. Even though I knew leaving was better for her. Keeping my distance was the only way I was going to survive.

I not only needed to keep her safe from Kevin, I needed to keep her safe from me. I’d fulfill my promise, and then I would leave. Even if it broke me, I would leave.

I had to.