Page 11 of Nate Hayes

Nate finally spoke, soft and sure. “He loved her that much.”

“Yeah.” I nodded, tears slipping down my cheeks. “He used to dance with her in the kitchen every Sunday morning. Just them and an old Patsy Cline record. And when she died, he stopped dancing. Stopped talking much. One day, he went to bed and never woke up.”

I looked up at Nate through blurry eyes. “That’s what love is to me. Not flowers, date nights, or someone saying pretty things. It’schoosingthe same someone every day. Even on the hard days.”

He reached out and gently brushed the tears from my cheek.

“And Derek?” I said, my voice barely a breath. “He was the exact opposite of that. He didn’t love me—hepossessedme. He made me feel like leaving him was a betrayal instead of survival. And I stayed longer than I should’ve because I wasafraid.”

Nate’s hand cupped my cheek, thumb sweeping slowly under my eye. “You don’t have to explain any of that to me, Willa.”

I swallowed hard. “I just… if I ever fall for someone again, it has to bereal. Like my parents. I want someone to love me like my Dad loved my mom.”

He nodded. “I can understand that.”

I gave him a watery smile. “I’m still learning how to trust again. How to believe someone could love me like that without turning into another Derek.”

His eyes didn’t leave mine. “You ever want someone to prove it’s possible… you let me know.”

God. That did it.

Not the kiss I was expecting. Not the sweeping gesture. Just those quiet words that landed deep in my chest like an anchor.

You let me know.

Because Nate wasn’t going to push, he was going toshow up.

And somehow, that felt like the most romantic thing in the world.

I was still tuckedinto the curve of Nate’s side when Axel stepped back into the cabin. He moved so quietly that if Nate’s dog Joe hadn’t let out a low growl, I might not have noticed him at all. But as soon as Joe growled, a giant German Shepherd was there right in Joe’s face.

“Bravo, stand down,” He said, he didn’t say anything else right away.

Just looked at Nate.

And Nate stood, shifting instantly back into protector mode—broad shoulders tight, jaw clenched, eyes sharp.

“What did you find?” Nate asked.

Axel didn’t mince words.

“He’s in Honeywood. At the Whispering Pines Motel, room twelve. Checked in under the name Daniel Holloway. Fake ID. Real enough to slide under the radar, but I ran facial recognition through the security cam at the gas station on Main.” He tossed a small flash drive onto the table. “That’s him.”

My stomach twisted.

“He’s really here, I said, the words sticking in my throat like honey gone bitter, I knew he was here that bastard won’t get near me. I have my goats to care for I can’t stay here hiding from him.

Axel nodded. “Yeah. And he’s been here at least three weeks.”

That was before the envelope showed up.

Before I’d even seen Nate at the farmers market.

“So he’s been watching me,” I whispered.

Nate didn’t hesitate. “He’s crossed the line. He’s not just watching. He’s planning something.”

Axel glanced at me. “We also found something else. His internet history… he’s been searching for stun guns. Handcuffs. How to bypass security systems I’m sure on your cabin.”

---