Chapter 49
The next day, voices drifted through Refuge Cove, dishes clinked in the kitchen, and the low hum of conversation murmured. But the edge that had been in the air earlier was gone. The tension that had hung over everything just days ago had eased, replaced by something softer and steadier.
Hadley and Max stood near the edge of the living room. Hadley’s arms were loosely wrapped around herself as she watched everyone gather. Sunlight filtered through the windows, catching dust motes in the air, making everything feel almost . . . normal.
They met to eat together—and so everyone could be updated on what was going on. They were waiting for Micah before they started to rehash the details.
This would be easier than having six different conversations with people.
Finally, Micah arrived. They all found seats in the living room.
“Lyndee’s doing better,” Micah started. “She’s agreed to go to counseling, and she’d like to come back here to stay for a while, if you all are okay with it.”
“Of course,” Naomi said as she held Grace in her lap.
“She asked if you’d keep watching Tinkerbell,” Micah said. “I hope you don’t mind that I answered for you. I knew you’d say yes.”
“Tinkerbell is more than welcome here,” Naomi said.
“Kenny’s been officially charged,” Micah continued. “They’re not letting him anywhere near Lyndee again.”
“Rightfully so,” Max said. “I don’t care if he claims he was manipulated. Wrong is wrong.”
“Agree,” Caleb said.
“And Kendra . . .” Micah added more carefully, his tone shifting. “She’s been formally arrested. They’re saying she’ll undergo a full psychological evaluation.”
“Maybe she’ll finally get the help she needs,” Ruby said.
“And the justice she deserves,” Wyatt added.
Hadley nodded, though her thoughts lingered there longer than she expected.
Help. Justice. Maybe both. They weren’t mutually exclusive.
“And Susie’s back home,” Hadley added. “And get this—she told me this morning she wants to come back to work. I wasn’t sure if I’d need to look for a new employee, but I’m so glad I’m not losing her.”
“That sounds like Susie,” Naomi said. “I’m glad she’s recovering.”
“And Herb and Billie?” Ruby asked. “Any updates?”
“They’re good,” Max said. “Resting and as stubborn as ever.”
That earned another round of smiles.
Hadley let out a breath, something inside her finally loosening.
No one said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing: Everything that had happened—the manipulation, the violence, the unraveling—it felt almost surreal now. Like something from a news story instead of real life.
But it was finally over.
She glanced at Max beside her. His arm slipped around her waist as he pulled her closer. The contact sent a soft, steady warmth through her—something grounding and real. She leaned into him without thinking.
Grateful didn’t feel like a strong enough word.
She was grateful she was here. Grateful Max was here. Grateful that somehow, through all of it, they’d both made it to the other side.
“Since we’re all here, I have another update to give you all,” Ruby announced.
Everyone turned toward her.
“Rowan called me earlier,” she said. “She’s coming home. She’s on her way now. Driving here from California.”
Caleb straightened. “What? Really? Why?”
Ruby shrugged, though her expression held a hint of concern. “I don’t know. She didn’t say.”
Wyatt pushed off the wall, his brows drawing together. “Something must be wrong. That’s the only reason she’d come home.”
“Maybe she just misses us,” Naomi offered, though even she didn’t sound fully convinced.
An unspoken understanding passed between them all. There was more to the story.
Hadley felt it too. But instead of worry, she felt something closer to anticipation.
Rowan’s return would bring its own set of answers, its own story to unfold.
And Hadley would be glad to see her.
But not right now.
Right now, she was aware of something else.
Of Max beside her. Of the way his arm still rested around her waist. Of the fact that, in the chaos of everything that had happened—interviews, questions, statements repeated over and over to different law enforcement agencies—they hadn’t really had a moment.
Not a real one.
Max shifted as if he’d come to the same realization. “I think we should go check on Juno.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
His hand slipped down to find hers, and he led her toward the door. As they stepped outside, the noise of the house faded behind them. The crisp air met them, fresh and clean.
The kennel stood just ahead.
And for the first time in days, Hadley felt like she could finally breathe.
The kennel was quieter than Max expected.
Not silent—it was never silent—but calmer. The frantic edge from a few nights ago was gone, replaced by the steady rhythm of animals settling back into routine. A few dogs lifted their heads as he and Hadley stepped inside, tails thumping against the sides of their runs.
It felt normal. The word felt almost foreign.
Max let the door close behind them then walked to Juno’s pen.
The dog was already on her feet.
She let out a soft, eager sound and padded forward, her tail wagging as she reached the gate. The puppies tumbled clumsily behind her, a wiggling pile of legs and curiosity.
Hadley smiled as she crouched down despite the slight stiffness in her movements.
“Hey, girl.” She reached through the gate to scratch behind Juno’s ears.
Juno leaned into the touch like she’d been waiting for it.
Max watched, something in his chest easing. “You’ve got a fan.”
Hadley glanced back at him, her smile lingering. “I think she’s coming home with me.”
“Is that right?”
“She tried to warn me,” Hadley said. “I just didn’t understand her. But she knew Kendra was hiding out in here.”
“She’s a smart girl. I think you adopting her is a great idea.”
Juno wagged her tail harder, as if she’d understood every word.
The moment stretched, easy and unforced, until Max’s smile faded just slightly. The weight of everything that had happened edged back in—not overwhelming this time, but present.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Hadley looked up at him, her brow furrowing. “For what?”
“For Kendra. For not seeing it sooner. For—”
She cut him off with a small shake of her head. “Max, no. That’s not your fault.”
“It feels like it should be.”
“It’s not. You didn’t make her choices. She did.”
Max held her gaze, wanting to believe that. Trying to believe that.
He paused before saying, “There are things I’ve never told you.”
Hadley’s expression softened. “Okay.”
Max exhaled and glanced down before meeting her eyes again. “About my arrest.”
Hadley didn’t interrupt. “Go on.”
“My mom had this boyfriend. A long time ago. Things were . . . bad. Worse than she ever admitted.” His jaw tightened. “I came home one night and found him beating her.”
The memory hit harder than he expected, but he pushed through it.
“When I saw that, I didn’t think,” he continued. “I just reacted. I got him off her.”
Hadley’s breath caught.
“The police showed up,” Max said. “And I was the one they arrested. My mom refused to press charges against him. She said she was afraid of being alone.”
“So she let her son go to jail instead?” Hadley shook her head in disbelief.
“She never even apologized. While I was in prison, she overdosed. I never saw her again. And I’m sure her overdose had something to do with Tom, her boyfriend. He made her feel so bad about herself. It was like he erased her ability to think, even.”
“I imagine that’s typical in situations like that—but it’s still so tragic.”
“When I met Sarah, I saw something similar in her. She wasn’t nearly as bad as my mom. She was stronger. But I sensed a kindness in her and only wanted to help.”
“It’s noble that you want to protect women, even if it cost you your freedom.”
“Then when I heard what they were doing at Refuge Cove, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. But when it came to you . . .” He frowned as if demons haunted him. “Instead of protecting you, I led danger to your doorstep.”
“Max . . . it wasn’t like that. You had no idea how things would unfold.” She stepped closer. “And I’m so sorry for what you went through. And . . . for ever doubting you.”
“You had every reason to doubt me.”
“No, I didn’t. Not really.” She met his gaze, steady and certain. “I know you, Max. I should’ve trusted that sooner. I think the news just came as a shock.”
Something shifted in his chest at her words—something that had been tight for a long time finally easing.
“You were protecting your mom,” Hadley went on. “You did what you thought was right.”
Max let out a slow breath. “I didn’t feel like a hero.”
“You weren’t trying to be. You were choosing what mattered.” She hesitated, then added softly, “That’s what honor looks like.”
The word settled between them.
Max studied Hadley a moment, taking in the quiet strength in her expression.
Then he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Hadley melted into the embrace, her arms wrapping around him just as tightly. For a second, neither of them moved.
They didn’t have to.
Everything that needed to be said was already there.
Max rested his forehead against hers, his voice low. “I don’t want to lose this.”
“You won’t.”
He searched her eyes for a second longer. Then he leaned closer, and his lips met hers.
The kiss was steady and sure—like everything they’d been through had led them right here.
Hadley leaned into it, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. Max tightened his hold on her, grounding himself in the moment. In her.
When they finally pulled back, the world felt lighter, better.
Behind them, Juno let out a soft huff, and one of the puppies yipped, breaking the moment just enough to make Hadley laugh.
Max smiled and brushed his thumb lightly along her cheek.
This—whatever came next—he could face.
As long as Hadley was by his side.