Chapter 3
Naomi kept her eyes on the road as she headed back to Refuge Cove, but she was all too aware of Micah following her.
He’d turned off his flashing lights and stayed a careful distance away—far enough not to crowd her, but close enough to make his presence unmistakable.
She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel and forced herself not to check the rearview mirror again.
Their interactions had been somewhat limited, but they were both on the county commission together, and they went to the same church—when Naomi was able to attend. She and her brother took turns, one of them staying at the house with the women while the other went to Sunday service.
Naomi knew she had to do something to develop a life for herself outside the house. If she let herself, she’d become a hermit there. Sure, there were ladies coming in and out. Most weren’t permanent.
She knew she needed community. So she’d forced herself to step out of her comfort zone when she joined the commission. It had helped that Micah was already part of it.
Her brother trusted Micah enough to tell him the truth about what they were doing at the house. About the shelter they were running. That alone spoke volumes.
Plus, Micah had been the one who’d arrested Sarah’s husband, Richard, for her murder. And for that, she’d always be grateful.
Micah’s image filled her mind.
The man was stocky and broad through the shoulders, built like someone who’d spent years learning how to hold his ground.
He had a barely there beard. The dark stubble never quite crossed the line into scruff, and it softened his face just enough to make him approachable.
His eyes were sharp and watchful in a way that made her feel seen without feeling studied.
He carried himself like someone who’d worked bigger cases than Blue Ridge Hollow offered. His accent was Southern but not necessarily mountain. She would guess maybe Atlanta or Charlotte. Maybe she’d ask him one day.
For now, for reasons she didn’t want to acknowledge, she kept him at arm’s distance.
Maybe it was because she was attracted to the man. But she also didn’t want a relationship—and she didn’t want to tempt herself.
But if she were to tempt herself . . . Micah Sutherland was enough to make her forget her promise to stay single.
A wet nose nudged her elbow, pulling her from her thoughts.
Naomi startled, then laughed despite herself.
“Hey.” She glanced at the yellow lab standing in the back seat as if he’d always belonged there. “What’s your story?”
The dog’s tail thumped against the seat, hopeful and entirely unconcerned with mountain roads or pickup trucks or creepy men with hardened eyes.
She reached back and scratched behind his ears. “You don’t have a clue what’s going on, do you?”
He responded by nuzzling closer and leaning into her touch.
Naomi shook her head and faced forward again, but the ease didn’t last. The image of Travis Henderson stepping out of that truck replayed without invitation.
His slow smile. The way he’d closed the distance like he already owned the space between them. The way he’d looked at her.
She’d feared for a while that something like this was coming. There had been too many run-ins with the man in town. Too many snide comments. Too many occasions when his eyes had lingered on her a beat too long.
Travis Henderson escalated when he didn’t get what he wanted.
That realization sat heavy in her chest as the road narrowed and the trees thickened.
Micah’s SUV disappeared briefly behind a curve then reappeared in her mirror.
Naomi exhaled slowly.
This wasn’t just about her safety.
One woman and her Maltese were staying at the shelter right now. Their newest guest still jumped at sudden noises and slept with the light on and her shoes by the bed.
Refuge Cove was supposed to be a sanctuary. The last thing Naomi wanted was to bring danger with her.
Her jaw tightened.
So why did it feel like danger constantly loomed around the place? Just last week, a private investigator had been found murdered near the woods behind her property. Then the ex-husband of Millie Anderson, one of their guests at the shelter, had found Millie.
Naomi and Caleb had all the proper safeguards in place . . . but there were things they simply had no control over. The unknown was a liability they couldn’t account for.
The property’s iron fence came into view through the trees, dark and deliberate against the woods. Dagger-point pickets traced the perimeter, uncompromising and familiar. The gate stood closed, keypad blinking patiently.
This was Refuge Cove.
The sprawling white farmhouse nestled farther back on the rise, a pond stretching out front. The kennels sat off to one side, with a smaller run nearby where dogs could stretch their legs without feeling penned in.
Naomi tapped in the code, and the gate swung open with a soft mechanical hum.
She pulled through and eased down the drive. Micah followed through the gates behind her.
She parked near the garage and shut off the engine. Micah’s SUV rolled to a stop behind her.
The dog shifted, ears perked, then leaned into her again as if to remind her that she had a new best friend.
“I know,” she murmured, rubbing his chest. “Did God send you to me?”
He tilted his head and barked as if he understood her.
Her phone buzzed in her purse.
Naomi reached for it, and her pulse ticked faster as she opened the message.
It was from Gio.
Dread filled her gut as she read the words.
How are you? I know it’s been a while. I’ve been trying to give you space, but it’s hard. I miss you. I’d love to come for a visit so we can talk face-to-face. What do you think?
Naomi stared at the screen, the words blurring before snapping back into focus.
Her throat tightened.
Did she want Gio to visit? It had been more than a year since she’d left New York. She’d tried to stay after her attack, but she couldn’t. Her anxiety had spiraled out of control, and she needed somewhere with a slower pace as she healed from her attack.
Her memories of that night still hadn’t returned. Sometimes, she felt ready to give up hope that they ever would. That the person who’d attacked her would be brought to justice.
When she’d first moved here, she’d invited Gio to visit. He had multiple excuses about why he couldn’t. But he wanted to come now?
His refusal to make time for her back then had confirmed to her that the two of them weren’t meant to be together. Their breakup had almost felt like a relief.
She stared at Gio’s message. She didn’t know how to respond.
So she didn’t. Not now.
She had other more important things to worry about at the moment.
Gio could wait.
Micah dreaded the conversation he’d come to Refuge Cove to have. But he wanted Caleb and Naomi to hear the news from him in person.
Naomi was still seated in her vehicle when he climbed from his SUV. The way she looked down made him think she was looking at something on her phone.
Micah didn’t mean to notice the details. Like the way her posture changed, but it caught his attention all the same. Not only that, but her shoulders had gone rigid.
Was it Travis again? Had he done something else? Sent her a text?
Before Micah could say anything, she opened the door and stepped out, drawing in a deep breath as if pulling herself together.
If they were closer—if he knew her better—he might ask if she was okay. But doing so felt too personal. Keeping boundaries in place was only wise.
The yellow lab jumped out after her. The dog hit the driveway at a run, circled her once, and leaned against her legs with unrestrained joy, tail wagging like it might take flight.
The tension in Micah’s chest eased just a touch. Animals had that effect on people. He’d considered getting his own dog for a while now, but he’d been too busy.
“What do we have here?” Caleb King, Naomi’s brother, appeared from around the corner of the garage, brows lifting as he took in the scene. “Looks like you brought home a friend.”
Naomi crouched and rubbed the dog’s ears, her smile softer now. “We found him off Hollow Ridge Road. No tags.”
“Looks like he found his person.” Caleb glanced at Naomi and gave a nod. “You.”
“For now. Until someone claims him. If they claim him. I’ll put up some signs around town and on social media.”
The dog chose that moment to plant himself squarely at her side, chest out like the matter had already been settled.
Caleb chuckled. “Looks like he’s decided he wants to stay with you. We need to get him some food and water.”
Micah watched Naomi as she stood, brushing loose fur from her hands. He saw the way she squared her shoulders and tucked whatever fear she’d just felt neatly out of sight.
Her strength and discipline were two of the many traits that drew him to her.
The realization left him feeling unsettled.
After Caroline’s death, he’d promised himself he’d keep his distance from any potential relationships. His career was too dangerous. It came with too many risks.
He was better off alone.
Yet Naomi was the first woman he’d noticed—really noticed—since Caroline. The first person who’d made him aware of the space she occupied. The first who’d challenged him without posturing. The first who made him want to step closer instead of backing away.
That alone was dangerous—and he had to stop those feelings before they went any further.
“Where’s Millie?” Naomi glanced around as if expecting her to appear.
Millie had recently begun to date Caleb. She’d remained at Refuge Cove to help with operations. Micah was happy for his friend.
“She’s cleaning up from dinner,” Caleb said.
“She doing okay?” Micah asked.
She’d been through quite the ordeal recently when her ex-husband had tracked her down here at Refuge Cove.
Caleb nodded, warmth flooding his gaze. “She’s doing great.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Micah cleared his throat, knowing he couldn’t keep going with small talk. “Caleb, I was hoping to talk to you and Naomi about something.”
Caleb nodded once, his expression shifting to business. “Of course. Let me just grab the dog some water first. The poor guy looks thirsty—and hungry. I’ll get him a treat also until we can feed him.”
Naomi’s phone rang.
The sound cut through the moment like a blade.
She froze.
Micah saw the way her fingers tightened around the device before she swiped to answer and lifted it to her ear.
“Hello?” She paused, then her voice changed. “Sissy?”
Micah felt the air shift again.
“Sissy—slow down,” Naomi murmured. “Start again.”
Dread filled him.
He’d come to tell Naomi and Caleb the news first, before they heard the update from someone else.
But based on what he was overhearing, it appeared he was too late.