Chapter 53
Trust
Gray shook his head, trying to process the situation as he and Cam ran down the dock to the boat.
"Grab the lines." Cam lowered the engine into the water.
Gray obeyed, pushing the boat away from the dock before hopping aboard.
Thankfully, the Thatcher estate was just across the waterway from the Lagoon.
"I hope someone's at the university lab," Gray chewed on his lip. "Most of the team's out collecting data at this time of day. We might not get answers until tomorrow."
His stomach churned. He couldn't stop replaying the scene on the dock. Shelley's too-familiar behaviour, Riley's reaction. Would she think he'd lied about Shelley? Would this confirm her worst fears about being just another fleeting island romance?
After the days and nights they'd spent together, he hoped she wouldn't think that, but he hadn't explained the extent of his past with Shelley.
He had only hinted she was not someone he wanted to spend time with, but would Riley think they had spent time together?
Or what if Riley thought he'd dated Shelley, and that was why there was animosity towards her?
He'd worked so hard to build trust over the last month. And then the last few nights where she'd let him fully in... He groaned, running his hands through his hair. They'd just taken that big step, and now this.
"Gray!" Cam's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Huh?" Gray looked up to see Cam motioning toward the dock.
"Jump out and tie up the boat," Cam said, exasperated.
"Right. Sorry." Gray scrambled onto the dock, taking in his surroundings. "Wait, this close? They live right here?"
Cam smirked. "Yep. Now come on. Lady Thatcher's probably on the back deck."
As they crested the slope, Gray froze. The estate looked like something plucked straight out of the English countryside. A sprawling mansion perched incongruously on the island. He knew they were across the waterway, but he hadn't expected a sprawling estate.
"What the—"
Cam grinned. "Gray, wait until you see inside the house."
Before Gray could reply, a figure emerged from the shade. A perfectly poised older woman, hands on her hips, her expression equal parts regal and mischievous.
Well, Gray thought, swallowing hard, this must be Lady Thatcher.