Page 46 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Don’t change the subject, Wade,” Dawn seethed. “What is Scott going to say when he hears about this?” Her eyes widened as another thought struck her. “You’re going to ruin Harper’s holiday when Scott demands she goes home now.” She shook her head as her anger started to boil to the rage meter. “What is wrong with you? That man and his sister nearly completely ruined your life.”
“Wow!” Wade said. His eyes closed off all emotions as he blanked her out. “You must get a lot of nosebleeds up there in your ivory tower.”
“Do the Blackwells know you’re hanging out withhimagain?“ Dawn asked, her eyes widened again. “Is he part of your crew?”
“Yes, and yes,” Wade answered her, turning, pushing the door open for her to enter, and walking into his suite.
Dawn followed him, looking around and was surprised to see how neat it was. She swallowed.Room cleaning must’ve just been in, she thought and looked at her brother. Wade walked to the dining room table, opened a file on the desk, took a few documents, and walked back toward her.
“Here you go,” Wade said, shoving the documents at her. “Crew list and sign off from Victoria and Arthur Blackwell.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Want me to call them so you can verify I haven’t forged the documents?”
“I… Uh…” Dawn swallowed, and she hated herself for doing it, but she checked the document and knew she was going to speak to the Blackwells later. She shoved the documents back at him. “I’m just surprised they’d authorizehimto sail Alex’s new boat to Plum Island, especially when—“
“Ben,” Wade snarled. “His name isn’thim,it’s Ben.“ He snatched the documents back from Dawn and slapped them back into the folder. “Ben was pardoned and released from prison a year ago, and if you bothered to check in with me at all once in a while, you’d know that.”
“What?” Dawn spluttered. “How could he have been pardoned? He was caught red-handed.”
“Was he?” Wade said. “Or was Ben really set up like he said he was?”
Dawn faced Wade with a mix of anger and heartache etched across her features. “Hedragged you down with him, Wade!“ Her voice trembled with suppressed rage. “You lost everything because of him... and his sister.”
“Don’t!” Wade’s voice was sharp, a stark warning. “Don’t bring Clem into this.”
“But she was involved, wasn’t she?” Dawn’s eyes narrowed, watching as a muscle in Wade’s jaw twitched uncontrollably. “Were you protecting her?” Her voice rose slightly, her words cutting through the tension like a knife. Despite knowing she should tread carefully, years of bottled-up emotions pushed her further. “It was her, right? She shattered your heart, and the moment you were in trouble, she abandoned you. Yet still, you’re protecting her?”
“Stop, Dawn.” Wade’s voice was a low growl, his fists clenching at his sides as his eyes darkened, stormy and foreboding. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me the truth!” Dawn’s voice broke as she shouted, frustration spilling over. “Tell me!”
“Just let it go,” Wade snapped back, his tone final. “I’ve paid for my mistakes, as have Ben and Clem.”
Dawn’s expression faltered, her face paling as a chill ran through her. “What are you saying?” She searched his face, desperate for a sliver of truth.
Wade’s gaze hardened, his features setting into an impenetrable mask. “I’m not admitting anything you think I am,” he saidcoldly. “Did you come here to apologize for blowing off our lunch or just to dredge up a past that our family buried long ago?”
Dawn stared at him, her heart sinking as she realized the futility of her quest for answers. She exhaled slowly, feeling defeated. Their eyes locked—both pairs violet, a shared trait from their mother. Yet, while hers were tumultuous with emotion, his were like frosted glass, revealing nothing of what was going on inside. Wade was a fortress with its gates firmly shut; she could sense the shadows behind his eyes but could never reach them.
“It doesn’t matter,” Dawn muttered. “I’ll make other arrangements.”
She pursed her lips and nodded, looking at her brother for a few more moments before slowly turning, giving Hicks a tight smile as he whined softly up at her, feeling the tension between the brother and sister.
“Come on, boy,” Dawn said softly.
“Dawn, wait!” Wade stopped her, and she turned back. “You look nice.” He gave her a small smile. “And as you have skates in your tote, I’d say you were going on an ice skating date.” He glanced at Hicks. “And because you brought Hicks here, I’m guessing you want me to look after him?”
She frowned. Dawn had forgotten how darn observant Wade was. “How did you know I had ice skates in my bag?”
“Dawn, you come up to my shoulder, and that back is bulging open,” Wade pointed out and frowned curiously. “Why do you have two pairs of skates?”
“One pair is for Harper,” Dawn told him. “It’s not a date. I’m going with Harper, Liam, and his daughter Lila, who has befriended Harper.”
“So, a family date then?” Wade said, grinning as he lightened the tension between them.
“I guess,” Dawn said, returning his smile and holding out the leash like a peace offering. “If you wouldn’t mind looking after Hicks?”
“I don’t mind,” Wade told her, taking the leash. “I’m sure his friend, Ritz, will be pleased to see him. Although she’s not fit to come out and play.”
“Why?” Dawn looked at him. Her eyes widened in alarm.
