Page 12 of When Love Found Us
This guy? He’s something else entirely. Mid-to-late thirties, tall, with an athletic build that makes his plain black T-shirt look almost criminally good. Dark hair, thick and just tousled enough to seem effortless. A close-trimmed beard frames his strong jawline, giving him a rugged edge. And his eyes—piercing, almost unnervingly focused—seem to register everything at once. Anyone can tell that this guy doesn’t just observe a room. He assesses it.
He looks like he belongs on a movie poster—one where there’s a motorcycle, a revenge plot, and just enough brooding to make the audience swoon. But he isn’t wearing a badge.
He reminds me of Atlas, but not in a way I can easily explain. They could be related, but probably not.
“So, I heard you need a place to stay,” Gale says, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
Talk about small-town gossip. This is the last thing I expected her to say. “No. I’m at the hotel,” I reply, casual as anything.
That year I spent in high school thespian club is finally paying off. My mother always said it was a waste of time, but she clearly underestimated my acting skills.
“Listen, I’m here to help you,” she says, lowering her voice just enough to force me to lean in to hear her.
She tells me a story—one that sounds too familiar for comfort. How her mother ran from this very town years ago, living under a new identity until the day she died.
“I didn’t even know who she really was,” she admits, her voice laced with something I can’t quite name. “But if it hadn’t been for the people who helped her, I don’t know what kind of life we would’ve had.”
I swallow hard, my pulse stuttering. Do they know I’m running away?
But how do they know? Did someone tip them off?
My gaze flicks to Malerick, his expression unreadable. Does law enforcement have my face plastered on a bulletin board somewhere? Winston claiming I’m unwell and need to be escorted back home?Lost Heiressor something equally intense.Reward Offered.
People will do a lot for money.
I should leave. Now.
“Sorry about your mom,” I mumble.
“Thank you,” Gale says gently, pulling me back. “My point is, I want to be there for women who have to run, like my mom did. If you need a safe place, we’ve got a guest room at our house. It’s not fancy, but it’s comfortable. You’d be welcome to stay while you figure things out. My husband and his brothers can even look into getting you a job with their timber company. Might pay better than what Delilah can offer.”
The kindness in her voice is truly unexpected. I blink at her, unsure what to say. “That’s . . . really generous of you, but I don’t want to impose. If it’s easier, I can leave tomorrow.”
“Please,” Delilah says firmly. “Stay as long as you need.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing,” Gale insists, steady but soft. “We’ve got the space, and I know how hard it can be to start over.”
Malerick, who’s been silent until now, shifts in his seat. His dark eyes meet mine, unreadable but locked in. “Are you in trouble?”
The question strikes like a blade, slicing through my breath and leaving my lungs empty. My grip hardens on the edge of the counter.
“No,” I say, the lie slipping out so fast I barely register it. “I just don’t like to stay in one place.”
He nods as if he understands. But I don’t think he does, or maybe he doesn’t believe me.
“We all have our reasons for starting over,” Gale says, her voice gentle but never pitying. “If you ever want to talk about yours, I’m here. No judgment.”
Something in my throat tightens. I force a nod. “Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“You do that. Our house is open to you,” she says before they leave.
Once they’re gone, Delilah leans against the espresso machine, arms crossed, watching me.
“They seem nice,” I say, keeping my tone neutral.
“They are,” she replies easily. “Gale’s one of those people who’d give you the shirt off her back if she thought you needed it.”
“And Malerick?”
