Page 54 of Island Rescuer

“Glad to be useful.” Rhett stretched his arms over his head, then cracked his neck. “Really glad to be out of Key West for a few days. Max is brutal.”

“Yeah, he is.” Knox had first-hand experience thanks to the agency’s mandatory refresher courses. “Why train with him? Unless you’re looking to make a career move.”

Rhett snorted. “I found boxing suits me. Anything else I learn just makes me more helpful wherever I go, right?”

“If you say so.” Knox studied his friend. Rhett was hiding something, but he didn’t press. There was no way Rhett would do anything to harm his sister or anyone else in the family.

“Is the family brunch really at the Inn this weekend?”

Knox nodded. “Trina’s gone above and beyond to support Harper and help out.”

“Of course she has. Hospitality is in her blood.” Rhett’s sudden smile looked forced. “I’ll make a point of thanking her. For now, I want to see this private cove.”

“Make yourself at home.”

Although he’d deal with it if Rhett did crash here with them at the B&B, he selfishly hoped Rhett chose to stay elsewhere. He was sleeping too well with Harper in his arms and didn’t want to give her an excuse to end things so soon.

Rhett’s appearance was a stark reminder that Harper had strong support. She had her own money and a high-profile career she adored. In short, he couldn’t think of any good reason she’d need him once her case was resolved and Walker was in custody.

ChapterEleven

Harper wasn’tsure what had gone down between Rhett and Knox, but she was grateful any posturing was over and done. Rhett had hovered for a few hours, talked business with her over dinner delivered from Parker’s Fish Camp, and found a different place to stay during his visit.

At least she didn’t have to pretend things were platonic with Knox. Not that she could’ve managed it. Oh, she could behave and keep any public displays to a minimum, but she would’ve been miserable if he’d pulled away. She enjoyed touching him too much, enjoyed the way his expression softened when she rubbed his shoulder or linked her hand with his.

She’d been spoiled with all the privacy at the B&B and it was easy to slip into the idea that this was real—the two of them living together like a real couple.

Their relationship wasn’t real or practical. She’d never been faced with the decision of letting him come to her suite at the resort.

She would’ve invited him. No doubt in her mind. It wouldn’t have bothered her at all if the staff noticed Knox coming or going from her home. She didn’t want to examine why she felt so sure. It was more than just the fantasy of being noticed by Knox or getting seriously involved with him.

He was a special man. Strong inside and out. The type of person she wanted to build a life with.

But today would be the real test. He was effectively meeting her family at brunch. Knox knew them. Had met a few key players, but he’d never run the gauntlet with everyone at once. The aunts alone were a force of curious nature.

“Hey, Harper!” he called up the stairs. “Are you coming? We’ll be late and they’ll blame me.”

She checked the clock, hating that he was right. She was dawdling. Of all the things to fear, this might be her oldest nightmare coming true.

She came out of the bedroom to find him waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

“By work?” He grinned. “Or because we have to face your family together?”

“My mom is going to know we’re sleeping together.”

His eyebrows lifted “You told her?”

“No,” Harper clarified. “Somehow she’s always known when I’ve taken that step with someone.”

“Is this an okay time to ask if you were intimate with Walker?”

“There is never a good time to ask that,” she countered. “In the interest of transparency, for the case and us,no, I never slept with Landon. The few occasions when we kissed were proof enough that wasn’t the direction I wanted things to go.”

“How did you date him for so long without going there?”

“This can’t be what you want to talk about,” she said.

“It isn’t.” He grabbed his keys, frowning. “Do I want to know how your mother knows about, um, you know?”

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