Chapter 29
The next morning, Max was up before the crack of dawn. He’d already done some chores and checked on the dogs.
Then he went back inside and waited for the rest of the house to awaken.
Specifically, for Hadley to awaken.
He couldn’t wait to see her again. Those stupid flutters—the ones men weren’t supposed to feel—were back again.
He’d just poured a cup of coffee when Hadley stepped into the kitchen. She was already dressed in her scrubs for work. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, and her movements seemed careful, like she was still working around the soreness in her arm.
His throat tightened at the sight of her.
Even after just waking up, she looked beautiful.
He cleared his throat before saying, “Morning.”
“Morning.” Her voice sounded soft but steadier than he’d expected.
He studied her, taking in the bruise along her cheek. She’d been through more than anyone should in the span of a week, and yet she was still here. Still moving forward.
Not just today either.
When she’d told him her story last night, he’d been floored. Her ex-husband was an idiot.
Hadley had been through so much grief after losing her baby, only then to have her husband betray her. He couldn’t imagine that kind of hurt.
After she’d opened up, that would have been the perfect time for him to open up also.
So why hadn’t he? He still wasn’t sure.
Maybe because he knew that one conversation could change everything between them. He wasn’t sure he was ready for that yet.
But he’d tell her his story—and soon.
“You sleep okay?” He handed her a cup of coffee.
“Better than I thought I would. Being here helped.”
“I’m glad.”
She took a sip and paused. “Unfortunately, I need to get to work. I can’t afford to miss any more appointments—not if I want to pay my bills.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“That would be great.”
A few minutes later—after a few more sips of coffee and Hadley had checked on Juno and her puppies—they headed back into Blue Ridge Hollow.
The drive into town was quiet but not uncomfortable. Max kept his attention on the road, though he glanced over at Hadley more than once. She sat with her hands folded in her lap. Her gaze was fixed out the window and her expression thoughtful.
When they neared the clinic, Hadley stiffened beside him. Her eyes narrowed a fraction as the building came into focus.
The boarded window reminded him of everything that had gone wrong. It had to be the same for her—but probably worse.
Max pulled into a spot out front and turned off the engine. “You going to be okay today?”
“I hope so. I just . . . I don’t like that everything feels different now, like something that used to be safe isn’t anymore.”
“That makes sense.” Max leaned back in his seat. “We’ll figure out what’s going on and make things right again.”
She gazed up at him. “You sound sure of that.”
“I am sure.”
Hadley held his gaze a second as if deciding whether she believed him.
She knew one thing: She wanted to.
Hadley let Max walk her to the front door of the clinic.
They paused in front of it, and for a second neither spoke. The morning felt too normal. After everything that had happened, here they were, standing outside her clinic like any other day.
Life went on. It always did.
“I’ll call you later,” Max finally said.
“I’d like that.”
“And I’d like to stop by and double-check the security of your apartment. I’d like to change the lock, maybe add a deadbolt. Check the windows.”
Gratitude filled her gaze. “I’d appreciate that.”
He hesitated, then stepped closer and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
The contact was brief, but it sent warmth through her all the same.
Hadley smiled as she stepped back. “Have a good day.”
“You too. Call me if you need me—for anything at all.”
“I will.”
She turned toward the clinic, aware of Max’s gaze on her.
She hadn’t expected to feel this way again.
After everything with Ethan—the loss, the betrayal, the way her old life had unraveled—she’d told herself she was done with romantic relationships.
That she didn’t need to risk that kind of hurt again.
And yet . . . what was happening between her and Max felt different.
Not easy. Not perfect. But real. And safe.
Even with everything else closing in, she couldn’t deny that.
She reached for the door handle and paused.
It was still locked.
That wasn’t unusual on its own, but Susie almost always arrived before her to get things up and running. Hadley glanced back and gave Max a small wave. He was still in the truck, watching, and he nodded once before she turned back.
Maybe Susie was just running late. It wasn’t like her, but things did happen.
Hadley pulled her keys from her bag and slid one into the lock. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Susie?” she called.
The lights were on, but there was no answer.
Hadley took a few steps forward, her gaze moving across the room.
That’s when she saw two feet sticking out from behind the reception desk.
Her breath caught.
“Susie?” she said again, her voice sharper now as she rushed forward.
She rounded the desk—and froze.
It was Susie.
She lay on the floor, unmoving.