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I half-expected to find Jasper on my doorstep in the morning, waiting to take me through an exercise session, but he wasn’t there. I didn’t know if I was glad or disappointed. I was tired. I’d only slept a little, and I looked a mess. Even triple-strength concealer couldn’t disguise the bags under my eyes, and I gave up trying to hide them.
The gym was busy when I arrived, but that was good. It meant I could slip in unnoticed. I should have been able to lose myself in the process of creating my cakes, but it was hard. Everything—everywhere—now reminded me of Jasper. How did he get under my skin so thoroughly in the space of a week?
When anybody came into the kitchen, I shooed them out and said I was too busy to chat. I didn’t expect Holly to turn up with Zack.
“Caitlin.” She gave me a hug. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course.” I turned to Zack and shook his hand. “Thank you for helping find my Dad.”
“It was a team effort. A good result, though. It could have been much worse.”
“Yes. I guess you never know what to expect when you respond to an emergency callout.”
“Not that.” Zack slung his arm over Holly’s shoulders and eased her closer. “Another few hours, and they’d have been in trouble. They were soaking wet and close to hypothermia. Didn’t your dad tell you?”
“What? No.” That was scary. I’d talk to my parents later and get the full story.
Zack smiled. “I’m glad I could help, but now Holly wants your help.”
“It’s Jasper,” she said. “I’m worried about him. I don’t know what went down between you yesterday, but he’s in a filthy mood. I’ve never seen him like this. Not even after his accident.”
I held up my hands. “I can’t talk to him. We broke up, but we weren’t really a couple anyway.” Why do you have to define it? Jasper’s words whispered in my brain, and I ignored them.
Hurt flickered in Holly’s eyes. “This is horrible timing, but Zack and I are going away for a long weekend. I hate to ask, but would you be able to check on him today? I know you leave the rental tomorrow.” I hesitated, and she carried on. “Jas insisted that we still go away as planned, but I hate seeing him like this. He’s an idiot, but he’s my baby brother.”
I stared at the floor. At my shoes. At the door. Anywhere but Holly’s face. “Give me your number. I’ll drop by later, and text you an update.”
*
Jasper didn’t come to the gym at all, so I’d have to call at his house in the evening. I didn’t want to. I’d rather have emergency dental surgery or spend an evening with Pammy and Cindy. Maybe this was Holly’s attempt at matchmaking? Or an intervention? Either way, it was a responsibility I didn’t want.
It was almost eight o’clock and fully dark, before I wandered around to his house. I’d used the heavy rain as an excuse to delay my visit, but I couldn’t put it off any longer. I’d knock on the door, ask politely if he was okay, and then retreat, and text Holly.
When I rapped on the door, all was quiet. No booming cacophony of barks. Were they asleep? I knocked harder. Nothing.
I didn’t have Jasper’s phone number, so I couldn’t call or text, and if I asked Holly, she’d be worried. Where could he have gone? Out with friends? He couldn’t drive, and his truck was parked next to Holly’s car. He wouldn’t be walking the dogs. I didn’t remember who mentioned it, but it came up in conversation that he couldn’t manage both hounds on leads at the moment—not with his walking stick as well.
He wasn’t home, and that was all I needed to know. I turned and made my way back to the beach. Even on a dark, wet night, there was a wild beauty I’d come to love. Maybe one day I’d live around here. Quiet, remote, and utterly beautiful, compared to the city.
I reached the steps to my wooden deck and paused. What was that noise? A dog woofed somewhere close. Too close. I scrambled up to my door. Before I could go in, a hound darted up to my side and nudged my leg. Woof.
I squealed like a little girl, all my fears rushing back at once. “Go away.”
It didn’t. Instead, it sat and barked at me again.
There was enough light spilling from the kitchen to recognize the beast. It looked like one of Jasper’s. But if she was here on her own, where was he?
“Gwen?” I asked, and she yipped a reply. Okay. I didn’t expect this. I was sure Jasper wouldn’t want one of his beloved dogs running free on the beach at night, which left me with a couple of options—bring her inside or walk her back to his place. There was a third option, but I didn’t want to think about that. About Jasper being in trouble.
This was the same dog that cuddled up to me last night. I knew she meant me no harm, but years of fear were hard to overcome.
She wore a loose chain-link collar, and I reached down and curled my fingers around the links. “Come on, Gwen. Let’s take you home.”
The hound stood, butted me with her nose again, and then lurched forward, down the steps, and onto the sand.
“Whoa.” I tried to haul her in the direction of the street and Jasper’s house, but Gwen had other ideas. With a joyful woof, she barged down the beach, dragging me with her. Where the hell was she going?
On she went, speeding her pace until I was forced to break into an ungainly half-crouched jog to keep up. If she went any faster, I’d have to let go. I couldn’t keep up this speed for more than a few yards. She diverted right, heading up the fine powdery sand into the dunes, and there, in the faint glow from a nearby streetlight, was a wooden bench.
Jasper sat there, Lily at his side. The two dogs yipped to each other, while I stared at him.
“Caitlin? What are you doing here?” His voice was husky.
My breathing was uneven, so I waited a moment before replying. “I could ask you the same question. Gwen came to my cottage and led me here.” His face was in the shadow, and I couldn’t read his expression. “Did she slip her leash or something?”
“Yeah. Little madam ran off and I couldn’t chase her. I’m glad she’s okay.”
“I didn’t think you were walking the dogs.”
He sighed. “Yeah. Maybe I shouldn’t yet. I think I overdid it.”
I stared at his bowed head, his hair shiny in the drizzle. “How long have you been here, Jasper?”
“Dunno. An hour? Maybe more? It was daylight when we came out.”
That was at least three hours ago. Walking away from him was not an option. “Are you okay? Do you want me to take the dogs while you walk back?”
He lifted his head and stared at me. “Why are you being so nice? I was an asshole to you. Again. You should turn around and get the fuck away from me before I hurt you some more.”
“Because I love you.” I shrugged and stuffed my hands in my pockets. “So how about it? Do you want my help or not?”