The Memory of Love E-Book

Bartow Sophie

• Herausgeber: Two Hearts Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Swan Harbor keeps secrets – until she doesn’t. When she reveals what The Mountain View Lodge has been hiding, repercussions reverberate throughout the town.
 
Book One of The Mountain View Lodge Trilogy

Can Love Forgotten Be Found Again?

Sadie and Gray Hunter had their happily ever after—then lost it in a tragic accident. Now, Gray’s left with no memory of the past few years … or of his loving wife.

Meanwhile, Captain Jack has problems of his own. He knows  something is wrong with him. But is the problem with his body or his mind? 

Sheriff Dylan Prince, however, knows exactly where his problem lies. There’s a serial killer on the loose in his small town, and he won’t rest until the culprit is behind bars.

Can Sadie and Gray find their way back to each other? What does the future hold for Captain Jack? Will Sheriff Prince find the killer or become the next victim?

Only Swan Harbor knows the answers … and she’s not telling  anyone  until she’s ready.

Welcome to Swan Harbor
The Memory of Love is Book 7 of the Hope & Hearts from Swan Harbor Series, as well as Book 1 in the Mountain View Lodge Trilogy. It’s a steamy, small-town, second-chance, memory-loss mystery romance with a guaranteed happy ending. If you enjoy books with layered mysteries woven around a swoonworthy romance and long-held secrets, you’ll love the next book in Sophie’s new series. This is Book 7 of a 15-book complete series.

Buy a copy of The Memory of Love and dive into one of Swan Harbor’s secrets.

Leseprobe

THE MEMORY OF LOVE

A SMALL TOWN MEMORY LOSS MYSTERY ROMANCE

HOPE & HEARTS FROM SWAN HARBOR

BOOK 7

SOPHIE BARTOW

CONTENTS

Hope & Hearts Series in Order

Some residents of Swan Harbor

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

My street team;

The Wall-Giennie Wicks-Delaney,

Connector Inspector- Linda Hagerty

Reactor Inspector- Jami Fenton

Plot Catcher- Maggie Grimes

Sign Crew- Kate Semenyuk

The Clean-up crew: Laura, Sylvia, and Mary, whose help was invaluable.

And my family, who are still waiting for me to clean the house.

Copyright 2021 by Sophie Bartow

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business or locales is coincidental.

Cover Design by Kate Semenyuk

HOPE & HEARTS SERIES IN ORDER

FROM DARKNESS INTO LOVE

KITTENS, PUPPIES & LOVE

BROTHERS, HOPE & HEARTS

KISSES, FAMILY & HOPE

A TREE, MISTLETOE & A SUNSET

HOPE, HEARTS & FOREVER

THE MEMORY OF LOVE

THE INNOCENCE OF LOVE

THE FORGIVENESS OF LOVE

THE POWER OF LOVE

THE CHRISTMAS LOVE SONG

THE KISS OF LOVE

THE LESSONS OF LOVE

THE HEART OF LOVE

THE JOURNEY TO LOVE

Hope & Hearts Historical Novellas

GUIDED BY LIGHT - 1952

GUIDED BY HEART - 1964

GUIDED BY LOVE - 1969

WELCOME TO SWAN HARBOR- 1979

FINDING HER LOST HEART- 1983/1990

GUIDED BY A KISS - 1995

Swan Harbor keeps secrets - until she doesn’t. When she reveals what The Mountain View Lodge has been hiding, repercussions reverberate throughout town.

The Mountain View Lodge Trilogy

The Memory of Love

The Innocence of Love

The Forgiveness of Love

SOME RESIDENTS OF SWAN HARBOR

Grayson Hunter: Engineer at Hunter Construction and married to SadieMartin Hunter.

Sadie Martin Hunter: The office manager of Swan Harbor Veterinary Hospital and an accountant. Married to Grayson Hunter. Best friends with Jessie Prince-Hunter and daughter to Anita Martin.

Anita Martin: She owns a ranch and is well known in the equestrian world as a jumper. She currently raises, trains, and sells horses to be used in equestrian events.Mother to Sadie Martin-Hunter.

Mary Hunter: A Psychiatrist at Swan Harbor General Hospital. Married to Clint Hunter and mother to sons, Cameron and Grayson.

Clint Hunter: Owner of Hunter Construction, (HCI). Married to Mary Hunter and father to Grayson and Cameron.

Cameron Hunter: He is an architect with HCI and married to JessicaPrince-Hunter. Their story is told in From Darkness into Love.

Jessica Prince Hunter: She is a social worker at Swan Harbor Hospital and married to Cameron Hunter. Sister to Dylan Prince and best friends to Sadie Martin-Hunter.

Dylan Prince: The Sheriff of Swan Harbor and married to Molly BarnesPrince, who ispregnant with twin boys. He is the brother of Jessie. Their story is told in The Innocence of Love

Molly Barnes Prince: She teaches first grade at Swan Harbor Elementary School and is married to Dylan Prince.

Finley Reade: Owns a real estate business in New York City and is investing in real estate in Swan Harbor. Married to Ava King-Reade and father of Liam and Killian. Their story is told in Kisses, Family & Hope.

Ava King: Philanthropist and businesswoman. She’s married to Finley Reade and mother of Emma Foster-Reade.

Rusty Langley: He is an investigator for the Swan Harbor Sheriff’s Department and partner of Killian Reade. He is married to Rene Langley and father to Roland. Their story is told inThe Power of Love.

Rene Langley: She is the mayor of Swan Harbor and married to Rusty, and mother of Roland.

Sally Miller Patterson: Owner of Sally’s Diner, the place to see and be seen in Swan Harbor. Sally is married to Daniel Patterson and mother to Christian Patterson.

Danny Patterson: Married to Sally and the head of neurology at Swan Harbor General Hospital. He’s the father to Christian. His story is told in Welcome to Swan Harbor.

Christian Patterson: He is a building inspectorand recently moved back to Swan Harbor. His parents are Sally and Danny.

Terri Patterson: She is a matriarch of Swan Harbor and mother to Danny, Beverly, Laura, Troy & Rhonda. Grandmotherto many. Terri is also a mother figure to Captain Jack. Her story is free with newsletter sign-up - Guided by Light.

Killian Reade: Investigator for the Swan Harbor Sheriff’s Department. Brother to Liam Reade and son of Finley Reade. Married to Emma Foster. Their story is told in Kittens, Puppies & Love.

Emma Foster: The Veterinarian and owner of Swan Harbor Veterinary Hospital. Daughter of Ava King and Peter Foster. Is married to Killian Reade.

Liam Reade: Chief Paramedic for the Swan Harbor Fire Department. Married to Elsa Winters. Their story is told in Brothers, Hope & Hearts.

Elsa Winters: She owns a pediatric practice in Swan Harbor and is best friends with Emma Foster. Married to Liam Reade.

Aaron Fowler: He is the Chief of the Swan Harbor Police and married to Brooke. Father to A.J. and Eden.

Richard Gold: He is a hedge fund manager and entrepreneur. His daughter is Catherine.

Captain Jack: Retired Naval officer and local legend of Swan Harbor who gives out sage advice to the locals of the town. Owner of Captain Jack’s Fine Dining, located at the newly renovated pier in an old Spanish galleon. His story is told in The Journey to Love.

PROLOGUE

Mountain View Lodge

February 18

5:00 a.m.

For years he’d lived among them, and his secrets had remained safe. However, after being closed for over twenty years, the Mountain View Lodge was getting a renovation. And what she protected was in jeopardy of being exposed.

His decision to destroy her hadn’t been made lightly. However, research had given him the knowledge to make sure the lodge burned, and then what he ... they … had hidden, would remain buried.

In the basement, he quickly removed the plate covering the electrical outlet. Then he stuffed in a wadded-up potato chip bag, which would make it appear as if there’d been a short in the wiring. Once the plate was returned, he loosened the nut on the gas line, leaving it to feed the fire.

The faint smell of rotten eggs assured him he’d done his job. While he was tempted to stay, the killer hadn’t remained free by being stupid. He knew the game, and had reaped its rewards for years.

This time, though, if they got too close, he’d go for their heart. There could only be one winner. And he was determined it would be him … them.

For most, the words 'colors of love' have a physical meaning and centers around reds, pinks, and purples. Colors you see on Valentine's Day.

But for some, the words have a much different meaning. They refer to a person’s 'aura', or the 'colors' that encircle any human body. When an individual is in love, their aura glows with shades of pinks, reds, and purples.

What happens to those colors when people fall out of love? Do they lose them?

And what happens to those colors when you lose yourself? Are they gone forever? Or, like love, can they be returned?

ONE

QUICK NOTE: If you enjoy The Memory of Love, be sure to check out my offer for more Sadie & Gray at the end.

With that, enjoy!

* * *

Sadie & Gray’s Home

February 18

7:00 a.m.

Sadie ran her hand up and over Gray’s taut behind and peeked at his colors. They were there, and as bright as always. Would that be the case later … or tomorrow? Or, more to the point, would she be able to see them?

“Come here, Legs.” Gray tucked her safely against his chest, “Talk to me.”

She snuggled in a little closer, tangling her bare legs with his rougher ones. “I touch your butt, and you want to talk?”

“It wasn’t why you touched my ass,” Gray retorted.

“How do you know?”

Gray leaned back, enough that she could see the tenderness in his blue eyes in the low morning light. “Because I know you.”

It was hard for her not to get lost in the love she saw looking back at her. Harder still for her not to use whatever means necessary to prevent him from asking questions.

“You think so?”

“Sadie,” Gray dropped a light kiss on her lips, “what am I missing?”

“Nothing.”

“Right.”

He rubbed his chin against her head for several minutes. While she wanted to think he’d let it go, she knew he wouldn’t. He’d keep on until she told him ... everything. When that happened, her hope was the issue would be moot. It was just, if you were dealing with emotions, sometimes it was difficult to be logical.

“What’s on your agenda after your appointment?” Gray asked, taking the conversation in a different direction.

“I know what you’re doing.”

“Think so?”

“Yes.” Sadie pressed her bare body against Gray’s, pleased to know that while her husband may be acting nonchalant, certain parts of him were very aware of her. “But I’ll tell you, anyway.”

“Who’s covering the clinic while Emma and Killian are away?”

“Doctor Thatcher. And Maggie said she’d go in early to feed Emma’s cats.”

“Your hair appointment is at 9:00 a.m.?”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard any more from your cousin?”

“Since last night? No, maybe I should …”

Gray pushed on her lower back when she started to get up, causing her hips to roll against his. “What’s your hurry?”

“I thought ...”

“You thought you’d get away without answering my questions, didn’t you?”

“Maybe.” She flopped over on her back in frustration. “Okay, yes. I don’t want to talk about my aunt. I don’t want to think about the fact she might die. About the fact there’s nothing I can do to take away her pain.”

“Except ...” he continued to prod.

Sadie sighed, thinking about what she and her cousins had planned for her Great Aunt Eliza. It seemed harmless on the outside, except that didn’t explain the whole story.

“Cut my hair,” she finally answered, wrapping her hand around the long brown strands. Ones that had only been trimmed for years but never cut. And when she’d done that ….

“It will grow back,” Gray murmured. “If that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her thoughts pinged in several directions before locking on the comment about it growing back. She rolled onto her side and met his assessing gaze. “I’ve only cut my hair a handful of times in my life.”

Gray wrapped his fingers around her hair and pulled it over her shoulder. “Long Legs and ponytails.”

“You’ve said that before,” she grinned. “Is that all you remember about me?”

“It’s all I try to think about,” he offered cryptically.

A quick expression flashed across his face she couldn’t interpret. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” Gray reached for his watch to check the time, “we have a little while before we have to leave. And I’ve got a few ideas before all of this is cut off.”

He tugged her head back and kissed her in that way that immediately set her on fire. Sadie’s heart raced, and her mind cleared of everything but him.

“Do you have a problem with that?” Gray murmured, his lips skimming across her neck.

“Just one.”

“Just one?”

Sadie tangled her fingers in his hair. “If we shower, we can...”

She hadn’t even finished before he’d scrambled from the bed and picked her up. “I like how you think, Mrs. Hunter.”

Then his lips were back on hers, and her thoughts scattered. Another quick peek at his colors assured her they were still there. This time, though, his pinks and purples were deeper, and his reds glowed brighter. Those were for her … all for her.

* * *

Mountain View Lodge

February 18

9:00 a.m.

Donuts, cinnamon buns, and apple fritters,” Paula, of Paula’s Bakery, rattled off. “Is that it?”

“Thanks, Paula.”

Gray set the box on the front seat of his truck and headed toward the Lodge. A message from Damian Murphy, his newest employee, had served as the distraction he needed to focus on work...instead of his wife. But why the other man wanted to speak to him so early was puzzling. After all, they were scheduled to meet with the investors in an hour.

Hunter Construction, Inc., his family’s company, had been tasked with restoring a piece of property in the mountains above Swan Harbor. There were a few stories that revolved around the Mountain View Lodge, but a fire when he’d been a kid had closed the doors for good. Recently, a group of investors, led by Finn Reade, had purchased the land and buildings.

Finn seemed to think the place would be perfect to open a couple’s retreat. A place where lovers came to rediscover what had been misplaced somewhere along the way. Which wasn’t a new sentiment if you’d grown up in Swan Harbor. There had always been something unique in the air, and people made statements you didn’t question. However, no two sayings were repeated more than, ‘your heart wants what your heart wants’, and ‘listen to your heart, it always knows.’

And, while there’d been a time when he’d not paid much attention to what his heart said, that was in the past. His heart had met its mate.

Gray had just turned onto the Old Lodge Road that would take him up the mountain when his phone buzzed. “Miss me?” he asked when Sadie’s picture flashed on the screen.

“You’re still in the truck?”

Gray chuckled. “How do you know that?”

“Hot Legs,” she replied, referring to the song that was playing on the radio.

“And yours are,” he teased. “I especially love when they’re wrapped around⁠—”

“Gray!”

“I’m sorry,” he capitulated. “Is it done?”

“Not yet,” Sadie sighed. “Helen’s running a little behind.”

“But you’re still worried?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“How can you ask that?” she exclaimed. “You know what you said.”

Gray knew precisely what she was referring to. Except he couldn’t quite get to the bottom of why cutting her hair was such a big deal to his wife. Therefore, he’d been pushing, hoping to uncover ...

“What I said?” he echoed. “You mean the part about not recognizing you if you cut off your hair?”

“Well, yes,” she huffed, the air of vulnerability still there.

“Sadie,” his voice grew huskier, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t love you ... now did I?”

“Well, no, but ...”

“Legs,” he murmured. “I love you. Cut your hair, shave it off for all I care. What would make you happy?”

“Making my great-aunt smile,” she finally responded.

“And?”

“Helping others, by donating my hair through the Locks of Love program.”

“And?”

“Dying it red.”

And?” he continued to push.

“Because she no longer can.” Sadie hesitated again. “I’m sorry I’m being such a baby about this.”

Gray didn’t respond because he’d said it all. His wife needed to make the choice on her own. That, he understood.

“Helen’s waiting on me.”

“Go do what you need to do,” he encouraged. “You’re hot, no matter what your hair looks like.”

It was quiet on the other end, and somehow he knew she was nibbling on her thumbnail.

“Is there something else?”

“No, be careful at work today.

“I’m always careful,” he told her.

“True, but it’s not every day you play with explosives.”

“They’re just little ones.”

“Gray!”

“Sorry.” He hesitated, not wanting her to worry, “I’m not even sure they’re necessary. That’s my job, though. To check the integrity of the structure.”

“I know ... but I worry.”

“That’s nice to hear,” he told her. “You can examine me for injuries later.”

“Oh, you,” she laughed, lightening the worry he’d been feeling. “You know I’ll take you up on that.”

“I should hope so.” Gray pulled the truck into a spot and shifted into park. “Go become a redhead. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Gray. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He grabbed the plans his brother had created for the retreat and stepped out into the crisp February morning. On his way to the Lodge, he punched Damian’s number and let it ring.

Just as he grabbed hold of the doorknob, the world around him exploded.

It blew him off his feet, sending him flying backward, the door traveling with him. He hit the ground and bounced, the door banging against his head hard enough to cause the air around him to spin.

With his ears ringing, Gray clawed the ground, searching for something, anything to stop the noise. He’d just grabbed hold of what felt like a rock, when the earth below him opened, and he was free-falling.

There was a sudden rush, and his senses were overwhelmed. The smell of dirt, the feel of cooler air, and then he hit bottom, and his head bounced, causing black spots to flash in front of his eyes.

The door and other debris rained down on him. And before he could protect it, his head was hit hard enough to allow the darkness to creep close. Gray tried to fight the blackness, but another explosion rocked the ground, and the pain washed over him, pulling him under.

* * *

Sheriff’s Department

February 18

9:10 a.m.

Dylan leaned back in his chair and flipped open the Swan Harbor News. There were pictures of the lodge, as well as an article about the plans for its renovations. A step toward the future, he couldn’t help but think. Plus, only three more months until ….

His thoughts died when he reached for his cup and the coffee was sloshing around inside. What sounded like an explosion sent Dylan running into the hallway.

“Amy,” he called to his office clerk, “what’s going on?

“Fire on the mountain,” she began, only to be interrupted by sirens.

A fire truck and an ambulance zipped past the front window, causing that sixth sense of his to heighten. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

Rusty stuck his head out of his office, and their eyes met across the distance. While they were no longer partners, they were still on the same wavelength.

“Let’s go.”

“You’re the bossman,” Rusty smirked. “With Killian gone, I can take one of the younger guys.”

“No.” Dylan glanced back out the window to see smoke hanging in the air. “That’s in the direction of the Lodge. And that means⁠—”

“—A county and town collision,” Rusty guessed, following him to his cruiser.

“Yes,” Dylan spat. “And while most of the guys are great, there are a few whose egos I can do without.”

“Do I even need to guess?”

Dylan side-eyed him, “No. You know Fowler’s had a hard-on for my family for years.”

“That’s true,” Rusty nodded. “You said your dad beat him in the last Sheriff’s race. Fowler definitely strikes me as one who holds a grudge.”

“While that may ring true,” Dylan murmured. “I don’t remember my dad every saying anything ...” His voice faded when he drove into the Lodge’s parking lot. “Holy sh ... sugar.”

“Sugar?” Rusty laughed.

Dylan winced. “Molly thinks now that I’m going to be a father, I need to clean up my language.”

“You need a swear jar,” Rusty replied, getting out of the car.

“A swear jar?”

Rusty hummed. “We have one at our house. It’s a dollar for every word. The money goes into Roland’s college fund.”

“A good use of funds …” When Dylan stepped from the car, his attention was pulled to what was going on. “Call for backup, will you? I’m going to see if I can get any information from Liam.”

Dylan found the Paramedic Chief, standing next to his ambulance, waiting to see if he was needed.

“Do we know anything?” he asked quietly.

Liam thumbed toward the lot. “There’s a car and a truck parked, but I’ve not heard if they’ve found anyone.”

“Has anyone heard from the Hunters?”

“I don’t know.”

“Any idea on the cause?” Dylan asked.

“It’s an old building,” Liam shrugged. “It could be electrical, gas ... there’s just no way of knowing yet.”

“Is there any good news in this mess?”

“We got here fast, which means we should be able to contain it,” Liam sighed. “Hopefully, we find the owners of those cars safe.”

“Keep me posted.”

Dylan headed back toward his car just as another cruiser drove up. He’d barely finished giving instructions to his deputies when a truck roared to a stop, and Cameron Hunter jumped out.

“Where is he?” Cameron yelled over the noise.

“Who?”

“Gray!” Cam waved toward the lot, “My brother stopped by the office before he drove up here. He picked up the truck and my plans, to show the investors. I was going to come with him, but I had another meeting so ...”

“Gray is here?” Dylan asked. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Cam exclaimed. “I just told you. He was meeting a new hire.”

Dylan indicated the other car in the lot, “That the new hire’s?”

“Maybe?” Cam glanced over Dylan’s shoulder. “But where’s Gray?”

“I just spoke to Liam,” Dylan explained. “He said no one’s been⁠—”

“We found someone!” one of the firefighters yelled.

Dylan and Cam took off, running toward the building. The person who’d yelled was standing just outside the door, talking to Liam.

“What is it?” barked Dylan.

Liam sent him a look that gave him his answer. “A body.”

“Not Gray?” Cam began, his voice tight with emotion.

“I don’t know,” Liam responded. “The fire ...”

Dylan’s stomach clenched with the meaning behind his words. There were times when he didn’t enjoy his job very much.

“Is it safe to go in?”

Liam nodded for him to follow, and they’d only taken a few steps when he realized Cam had every intention of going, as well.

“You can’t go in there, Cam.” Dylan put his hand on the other man’s chest to stop him. “You can’t go in there.”

“But that’s my brother!” Cam snapped. “And this is my site.”

“We don’t know if it’s Gray. Go call your father. Find out who that car belongs to,” Dylan instructed, thinking it would keep Cam busy and out of the way.

Cam stared him down for several seconds, before he gave a slight nod and moved away to do as asked. It was then that Dylan followed Liam into the building. The stench of burning wood and charred flesh hit him in the face.

His gut clenched, and for a moment he had second thoughts. After all, his family and the Hunters had been close for longer than he’d been alive.

“Dylan, you alright?” Liam asked softly.

He swallowed the bile that threatened and gave a quick nod. “Let’s do this.”

They walked through what had once been the lobby into a long hallway. The body was lying face down, under a piece of shelving. But one look at the part of the legs showing and Dylan relaxed.

“It’s not Gray.”

Liam glanced at the body, then back at him, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Dylan sighed. “This must be the new hire. I’ve seen him with Christian.”

“You’re looking at his feet, Dylan,” Liam pointed out. “Not that I’m doubting you, but how can you be sure?”

“The jacket,” Dylan indicated. “It’s long and a dirty brown. He was with Christian the last time I was in Sally’s.”

“Christian?” Liam asked.

“Patterson, Sally’s son,” Dylan explained. “He recently moved back to Swan Harbor.”

“So, not Gray,” Liam murmured. “Then where is he?”

“Liam, Dylan, come quick!” Rusty called from outside.

They found Rusty lying on the ground, shining a light into a hole of some sort.

“What is ...?” Dylan asked.

“Bloody hell,” Liam murmured, going down on his stomach next to Rusty, “the tunnels.”

“Could be part of the basement,” Dylan argued.

Liam looked up at him, “It’s the tunnels. I’d recognize that smell anywhere.”

The tunnels crisscrossed Swan Harbor and traced back to the 1800s. That they had been uncovered had Dylan wondering what Swan Harbor was trying to tell them. After all, everyone knew she shared information a little at a time. And only when it was necessary.

* * *

Mountain View Lodge

February 18

9:30 a.m.

Gray’s head pounded, and his thoughts weren’t connecting. His stomach churned. Bile threatened to rise, and the sounds around him were muffled.

What he did know was the ground beneath him was covered with dirt. He tried to open his eyes, but even in the low light of his prison, the action caused his head to pound even more.

A scurrying sound to his left had the image of rats forming, making him want to move. But when several sharp pains raced through his body, he gave up.

“Gray!” he thought someone shouted. “Gray, can you hear me?” Except, the sounds were muted and competing with the ringing in his ears.

He tried to respond, but couldn’t get his tongue to cooperate. It felt swollen, and he could taste blood. I hear you, but the sound was guttural and unrecognizable.

There was a shuffle above him, and he thought he heard, “Get a ladder!”

Again, he tried to move. The world spun a little faster, making his stomach churn. And the pounding in his head continued, growing worse with each second.

“Gray, it’s Liam,” floated above him. “Can you tell me what hurts?”

“Everything,” he mumbled, hoping he could be understood.

A bright light hit him in the eye, pushing him to shrink away.

Someone laid their hand on his forehead, “I need you to be still for a second.”

Gray grunted but did as was asked. If truth be told, it hurt to move.

“Can you tell me where it hurts?” Liam asked again.

Gray tried to smile, tried to say, ‘everywhere.’ Except his thoughts were sluggish. And the knocking in his head was getting louder.

“Take a deep breath for me,” he was instructed.

Gray did as was requested, but the sharp pain in his chest combined with the one in his head had black spots swirling.

“I know it hurts. But I don’t want to give you anything.”

The spots grew closer and fighting them became more difficult. Gray kept thinking there was something he should say or do. Then another person’s voice was added to the mix, and it was too much. When his leg was jostled, he allowed the darkness to win. At least there, he was free from pain.

TWO

Jack’s Home

February 18

9:30 a.m.

Jack said his last goodbye to his old friend, Jonesy, and returned to the parking lot with a heavy heart. He’d just reached for the door handle when he heard footsteps. As soon as he’d whirled around, his breath caught, and his heart rate spiked.

Hello, Jack.

Edythe?

Bandit’s sharp bark pulled him from the dream so quickly a sliver of fear zipped through his system. It was then he heard the pounding on the door.

Slowly, Jack rolled out of bed and grabbed his robe. On his way toward the front room, he realized his back hurt a little more than it had the day before. His thoughts were a bit more muddled.

It didn’t stop him from glancing out the window to see the Spanish galleon in her final resting spot. Jonesy was no longer bobbing on the waves, though, and the harbor looked empty.

“Jack!” The knocking grew louder. “Are you in there?”

He yanked open the door. “What the—? Finn, is everything alright? Ava? Emma?”

Finn’s expression softened at the mention of his wife and new daughter-in-law. “Ava and Emma are fine. But there’s been an accident at the Lodge.”

“The Lodge?” Jack frowned. “The Mountain View Lodge?”

“Yes.” Finn waved toward his clothing. “Were you still in bed?”

Jack brushed his hands over his robe but, rather than respond, went to let Bandit out.

“Jack,” Finn followed him, “is everything alright?”

“Can’t an old man sleep in if he wants?” Jack grumbled.

“That’s not like you,” Finn persisted. “You’re usually up long before 9:30 a.m.”

“I was extra tired today.” Jack shrugged off Finn’s concern. He could have said that he’d been feeling more lethargic lately. Ever since ...

“Do you need to see a doctor?”

“I don’t need a doctor,” Jack grunted. “I just need caffeine.”

While he hustled around the kitchen making coffee, he could feel Finn’s dark eyes on him. Watching him, waiting for him to ….

“Jack.” Finn’s hand landed on his shoulder just before he pressed start. “You forgot to add water to the coffeepot.”

That little zip of fear rushed through him again, but he brushed it aside.

“I knew that. Guess I’m not as awake as I thought. Now, why are you here again?”

“The accident,” Finn repeated, “at the Lodge.”

“Right,” Jack nodded. “Was anyone hurt?”

“I’m not sure yet. But we have a meeting with Gray, remember?”

“With Gray?”

“Yes, Gray Hunter and the other investors.”

“A meeting, right?” Jack frowned. “What was it we decided?”

Finn nodded toward a file on the table. “Didn’t you read this?”

The folder didn’t look familiar, but Jack wasn’t going to admit that. “I didn’t quite get through all of it.”

“The retreat,” Finn tried again. “We want to turn the Lodge into a retreat.”

“The Lodge,” Jack murmured, memories washing over him. “Did I ever tell you the Lodge’s nightclub used to be a special place? That was until ...”

“Until what, Jack?”

Several memories washed over him at such a speed he wasn’t sure which one to focus on.

“One of the best evenings of my life was spent there,” he murmured, not directly answering Finn’s question.

“Were you with Edythe?”

Jack didn’t think about asking how he’d known that, but as the memory washed over him, he added, “I was. Edythe and I came home for a long weekend. It was April 1969, and I’d just finished Officer’s Training. We were celebrating ...”

The Mountain View Lodge

April 1969

Jack was having trouble keeping the smile off his face. At long last, the woman he loved and his family had met. He pushed his plate aside and stretched his arm along the back of Edythe’s chair. When she laid her hand on his thigh and looked up at him with sparkling dark eyes, he’d never been happier.

“Tell us about your family, Edythe,” Terri remarked. “Jack mentioned you work on the base.”

Edythe’s fingers tightened on his leg, and Jack wished he’d requested they not bring up her family.

“My family?” Edythe repeated.

“Yes,” Terri continued in her direct manner. “Your mother, father?”

“Edythe doesn’t—” Jack tried to jump in.

“My father met my mother when he was stationed in Guantanamo,” she interrupted. “But he was killed in a training mission accident when I was four.”

“I’m sorry,” Terri murmured, exchanging looks with Dean. “That must have been hard on your mother.”

“Very,” Edythe agreed.

“What does she think of our Jack?”

“My mother passed when I was in high school,” Edythe admitted. “She would have loved Jackie.”

“Jackie?” Ray, sitting to Jack’s left, snickered.

Jack sent him a look, and wanted to say more, but then the music died down.

“I understand we’re celebrating a special occasion at the Lodge tonight,” Roman, the singer, began. “This is for you, Jack and Edythe. Congratulations.”

Jack exchanged looks with Rose and Terri. “Did you set this up?”

“Who, us?” Rose shrugged.

“Go dance with your fiancée,” Terri encouraged.

“Dance?” Jack asked, hoping Edythe wouldn’t be too self-conscious.

“Yes, please.”

He led her onto the dance floor, and when she stepped into his arms, nothing had felt more perfect. The words to Can’t Help Falling in Love floated around them, wrapping them in their own little bubble.

“Happy?”

She nodded, and her silky hair brushed against the underside of his chin. “More than I can tell you.”

“I’m glad.” Jack swung her around a few steps. “You make me happy.”

“I love you, Jack,” Edythe murmured.

“And I love you.” He grinned down at her. “Perhaps tomorrow we can take a walk, and I can show you hope.”

“Hope?” she frowned. “I didn’t know hope was something you could see.”

“This is Swan Harbor, my love,” Jack tried to explain, “not only is hope in the air, but there’s a reason.”

“A reason, huh?”

“Just wait,” he promised. “Tomorrow, you’ll see.”

When he returned to the present, Jack was standing in front of the back window, staring at the empty water. While the town no longer needed a swan to give it hope, that didn’t explain the hopelessness that seemed to be weighing him down. The feelings of emptiness and sadness settled heavier around his shoulders more each day. With each day that passed, he was more unsure what to do, or how to handle the sorrow.

“Was that the only time Edythe came to Swan Harbor with you?” Finn asked.

“No,” Jack sighed, trying to stay focused. “We came several times that summer. Especially when …”

“Ava’s mother died,” Finn remembered.

“Yes.” Jack let Bandit back inside, the cold February morning making him wish he could crawl into bed once again. “Now, why was it you stopped by again?”

“Our meeting at the Lodge,” Finn reminded him, “and to tell you about the accident.”

“Right, right,” Jack nodded. “Why don’t you go on ahead. I’ll just shower, and then I’ll follow.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Jack assured him. “I’ll even read through that file you left for me.”

“Well, alright.” Finn handed him the folder. “I’ll see you at the Lodge.”

“The Lodge, right,” Jack agreed, shutting the door behind him.

* * *

The Foxy Lady

February 18

9:40 a.m.

“What do you think?”

Sadie took a breath and glanced up, not knowing what to expect. As soon as she realized the bright colors that always surrounded Helen were still there, she relaxed. Her hair had been cut, and yet they were still there.

She met Helen’s gaze in the mirror, and the colors surrounding her swirled, then changed. A little yellow, a little blue, and some green, but they weren’t gone. That was one of the things that had worried her.

“I just need to get the dye,” Helen murmured.

Once she was alone, Sadie let go of the breath she was holding and looked in the mirror. What she saw had her stomach clenching and her heart flipping. That wasn’t her looking back, but someone else ... someone different.

Mercedes – Sadie – Martin-Hunter had brown hair that hung to her waist. She had a high forehead and light green eyes framed by dark brows and lashes. And while her mouth had always seemed too big for her face, it seemed to fit. Her mother claimed it was because she was always smiling. Which may or may not have been the truth.

Except, the woman looking back at her wasn’t someone she knew. That woman had hair that barely touched her shoulders, and wispy bangs that made her eyes seem larger. The shorter hair made her face look fuller, causing her mouth to not appear so big.

“What do you think?” Helen asked again.

Sadie slowly lifted her eyes. Helen was standing behind her, shaking the bottle of hair dye, and the colors around her were still shifting.

“It’s different.”

“Different good or different bad?” Helen asked.

“I haven’t decided.” Sadie turned her head in one direction, then the other, and the way her hair swung, then naturally fell back into place was nice ... freeing. “It feels ... lighter.”

Helen laughed, “As it should. But now, are ye ready for this?” She turned the chair back around and looked up over her half-moon glasses, “Flamethrower? Ye tryin’ to look like Raggedy Anne?”

“Actually,” Sadie nodded, “one of several.”

“Several Raggedy Anne’s?” Helen murmured. “Ye have me curious.”

Sadie smiled, “My great Aunt Eliza is one of my grandmother’s sisters.”

“One of?”

“There were eight,” Sadie laughed, “five girls and three boys.”

“Their poor mother,” Helen clucked.

“Agreed,” Sadie smiled. “But Eliza was the baby, and her favorite doll was Raggedy Anne. For years, every time she had a birthday, or someone asked what she wanted for Christmas, it was always the same thing.”

“Eliza collected Raggedy Anne’s, did she?”

“Dozens,” Sadie confirmed. “Fast forward to adulthood. Aunt Eliza is a nurse and works in a children’s hospital. When she first started working and realized she couldn’t give her dolls to the children, she decided to do the next best thing.”

“She made them dolls?” Helen guessed.

“Eliza can’t sew,” Sadie waved away that possibility. “But it would have been easier.”

“Easier?”

“She became a real-life Raggedy Anne,” Sadie explained. “Aunt Eliza began dying her hair bright red, wearing long false eyelashes, and using a redder blush than she should. Then, to complete the transformation, she started wearing aprons over her nurse’s uniform. The kids nicknamed her Nurse Raggedy. And that’s who she’s been for over forty years. But a few months ago, she got sick ...”

“Cancer?”

“Yeah.” Sadie blinked several times. “Breast cancer. She’s been really sick from the radiation and chemo. Through it all, though, her thoughts haven’t been on her recovery. They’ve been on her ‘kids’, as she refers to the patients she treats.”

“Your Eliza sounds like a special woman.”

“She is,” Sadie murmured around the lump in her throat. “My cousin, Hannah, works at the same hospital, and thought it would cheer Aunt Eliza up if we could bring a few Raggedies to stand in her place.”

“Which means multiple Raggedy Anne’s running around the hospital,” Helen replied. “Where did you say she lived, again?”

“Serenity Cove, Massachusetts.”

Which she’d recently learned was the first place where her family and Gray’s had become connected. That whole story only freaked her out a little. Because it wasn’t just the connection between the Martins and Hunters, she’d discovered. It was also the fact that without Ian Jones, she might not have existed. Pieces of history that Swan Harbor had doled out when she was ready.

“It’s a good thing you’re doing,” Helen told her. “That all of ye are doing.”

Sadie blinked several times again, “I hope so. I just wish ...”

But what could she wish for that didn’t sound selfish?

“It will work out.” Helen squirted the last of the dye from the bottle, “And you’ll be the prettiest Raggedy Anne with Flamethrower hair in Swan Harbor.”

“I can’t say I’m excited about this color,” Sadie sighed.

While the dye was smeared on, she couldn’t really tell what color it was, but she could tell one thing: adding the color to her shorter hair would change her looks. Every time that thought raced through her head, she just added Gray’s words to it, But I didn’t say I wouldn’t love you, now did I?

“What’s troublin’ ye?” Helen frowned. “It’s not like ye to be so hesitant about something as simple as changing your hairstyle.”

That was only part of it, Sadie thought. She would be hard-pressed to explain what she didn’t quite understand herself.

“Gray teasingly said he wouldn’t recognize me,” she finally replied.

“That man loves ye,” Helen brushed aside any worries. “Besides, it’s your hearts that are connected, right? Isn’t that how ye know you’ve met your mate in Swan Harbor?”

“That’s what they say,” Sadie agreed, following her to the dryer.

“It will work out,” Helen repeated, positioning the dryer over her head. “I’ll check on you in twenty minutes.”

Sadie settled back under the dryer, and, out of habit, checked her phone. The message from Jessie, her best friend and sister-in-law, caused her heart rate to skyrocket.

Jessie: There’s been an accident at the Lodge.

Sadie: What happened? Is anyone hurt?

Jessie: There was a fire.

Sadie: Is Gray ...?

Jessie: He’s alive. But Cam says ….

* * *

Mountain View Lodge

February 18

9:50 a.m.

Dylan was lying on his stomach, shining a flashlight into the hole where Liam and Rod, one of the EMTs, were working on Gray. But once they had him on the backboard, they still hadn’t figured out the best way to get him above land.

“What did you find out?” Dylan asked when Rusty settled on the other side of the hole with another light.

“At one time, there was a way to get into the tunnels from the Lodge basement. But now...” Rusty thumbed over his shoulder at the building that had sustained damage from the now extinguished fire

“Well sh ... sugar,” Dylan retorted.

“You’re taking that cleaning up your mouth thing really well,” Rusty laughed.

Dylan’s response was a hand gesture his wife wouldn’t have approved of, except these were extreme circumstances.

“What did you find out about our deceased?” he asked, moving the conversation back to the case.

Before Rusty could answer, there was a commotion from down below, “Any decisions?” Liam asked as soon as he was halfway up the ladder.

“There’s not a way out of the tunnels through the lodge,” Dylan told him. “We need to lift Gray out of the hole from here.”

Liam propped his hands on his hips and looked around. “A winch and a wire basket.” He decided.

“A winch and a wire basket?” Dylan echoed, staring down at the hole. “Are you sure it will fit?”

“Honesty, no,” Liam admitted. “We need to widen the space. Let me tell the guys.”

When he walked away, Dylan indicated the ground around them, “What type of covering was here, anyway? And why didn’t Gray know about it?”

“Or did he know about it,” Rusty reworded the question, “but couldn’t avoid it?”

“More questions for Cam,” Dylan muttered.

While they waited for Liam to return, he kicked at the debris surrounding the hole Gray had fallen through. A shiny object caught his attention, “What the ...?” His eyes met Rusty’s a second before he found a stick and gently lifted the object.

“An earring?” Rusty questioned.

“A ruby and gold earring,” Dylan added. “Where did it come from?”

“And how long has it been out here?” Rusty responded, tugging an evidence bag from his pocket.

Dylan dropped the earring into the bag and, after pulling on a pair of gloves, continued to sift through the debris. He found cigarette butts, a faded matchbook, and what looked like remnants of someone’s lunch.

“Think these will lead anywhere?” Rusty asked once the bags were sealed.

“No idea,” Dylan replied. “But when the collision occurs, I want to be ready.”

He was referring to the working arrangements in Swan Harbor that involved the Police and Sheriff Departments. In many instances, the police handled the cases that occurred in the city limits. The sheriff’s department took on the ones that occurred in the county. However, depending on caseloads and scheduling, the departments worked closely together.

So far, since Dylan had been Sheriff, there hadn’t been much of a problem. He’d found that when egos were on the line, it was like walking a tightrope, and you had to watch where you stepped.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t …”

Liam returned before more could be said. Somehow, though, Dylan knew they were working on borrowed time. Even if the entire Swan Harbor police force were all at a required training session.

“Here.” Liam handed him a rope, and another to Rusty. “Once the opening has been enlarged, we’ll lower the basket down. Gray will be transferred into it, the winch will be attached, and we’ll pull him out.”

Dylan glanced at the rope in his hands to the metal basket it was tied to, “Are you sure this will work?”

“Sure,” Liam grinned. “We used it in New York when someone fell into a drain.”

As the men went to work making the hole bigger, Dylan realized it had been covered only by a thin piece of wood. It was old and weathered, which explained why someone had fallen through. Except that brought back the question of had Gray known about the hole? And if so, why wasn’t it marked?

There were a few tense moments before the remaining pieces of wood had been removed, and they could lower the basket.

“How’s Gray?” Dylan called down.

Liam looked up from where he and Rod had just transferred the backboard Gray was attached to into the basket. “Still unconscious. We’re ready down here. Try to keep the basket steady.”

Thankfully, the winch did most of the work, and, as the basket came into view, Dylan got a look at his old friend. Gray was too still, too pale, too lifeless, reminding him of all he’d lost in his life.

“We’ve got it,” someone over his shoulder told him. “You can let go now.”

Dylan slowly let go of the rope and stepped out of their way. They strapped Gray, backboard and all, onto the stretcher. Then Liam and Rod loaded him into the ambulance, and said a few words to Cam before driving off.

“I need to …” Cam thumbed over his shoulder, in the direction of the ambulance.

“Not yet, Cam,” Dylan told him quietly. “There are some questions that need to be answered first.”

Cam gave him a resigned look and nodded, “Let me just call my parents and Jessie. Then I’ll answer what I can.”

As he moved away, a black Town Car drove into the parking lot, followed closely by two other vehicles.

“Damn,” Dylan muttered. “Looky-loos.”

“That’s a dollar for the jar,” Rusty quipped on their way to greet the newcomers.

THREE

Swan Harbor General

February 18

10:30 a.m.

Gray slowly swam toward consciousness. The beeping sounds told him he was in a hospital. His aches and pains said he’d been in an accident. He also knew, as soon as he opened his eyes, Mary Hunter would be hovering with questions, just not in her capacity as a doctor. Her behavior would be pure mother, and that wasn’t something he could run from.

“Gray, Honey,” her soft voice circled around in his head. “Can you open your eyes?”

Of course!

When he tried to do so, the bright light in the room increased the pounding in his head.

“Hurts,” he grunted, attempting to roll over on his side.

“Hold on, Gray,” someone said. “Let me check for injuries.”

His mother’s cool hand gently touched his forehead, reminding him of times she’d done that when he was a boy. Except he wasn’t a boy any longer. He was….

“I’m going to send him for X-rays,” the person on his left murmured. “I’ll be right back.”

The footsteps faded, and he could tell his mother leaned a little closer. Her familiar scent surrounded him, calming him.

“Light,” he muttered when he tried to open his eyes again, and once more, his head complained.

“Let me get it.”

The brightness beyond his closed eyelids decreased, and this time he forced his eyes open. They watered from the pain, but the longer they were open, the easier it was. It took a minute before he allowed himself to meet his mother’s gaze. The look on her face reminded him of the time he’d been hit in the head with a hockey puck in high school.

“I’m okay,” he croaked, his voice gravely.

“You’re alive,” she agreed. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Gray frowned, his thoughts traveling back. The only thing he could remember was grabbing a set of plans. And then ... nothing.

“I, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Her brows drew together. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Getting out of the truck.” He searched his memory, trying to connect some dots he was obviously missing.

“There was an explosion,” she explained. “Does that sound familiar?”

“An explosion?” The more he heard and the less he remembered, the higher his heart rate. Not only could he feel it, but the beeps were getting louder. “Where?”

“At the Lodge,” Mary told him. “Cam said you had a meeting.”

“A meeting?” It was reaching a point where he wanted to bang on his head, in hopes of freeing up the confusion. “Who was I meeting?”

“An employee.” She studied him, making him realize her concern had gone beyond mom and straight into psychiatrist mode.

I’m just fine! Gray wanted to shout. Except that wasn’t quite the truth.

“What’s your full name?”

“What?”

“Your name,” Mary prompted. “Do you remember your name?”

“Well, of course, I remember my name!” Gray exclaimed.

“Then what is it?” she shot back.

“It’s ....” his thoughts were sluggish, and there was a part of him that could have stretched out his answer. But he wasn’t that big of a prick to cause his mother undue stress. “It’s Grayson Hunter.”

“How old are you?”

“You know how old I am,” Gray backed away from the question.

“And your birthday?”

“October ... why?”

“So, how old are you?” Mary asked again.

“I’m, uhm,” he searched his memory for the last birthday he could remember. “I’m thirty-one.”

Her brown eyes flared, “Did you just say you were thirty-one?”

“Yes. Why?”

She didn’t answer right away, but brushed her hand across a bandage on his forehead.

“Mom, what’s going on?” he all but shouted. Except when the pain in his head increased, he immediately regretted the action.

“That’s what we’re trying to find out.”

“Help me up,” he suddenly demanded, not liking how vulnerable he felt from his position.

“Why?”

“I need to go,” Gray grunted, straining to sit up.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Mary pushed down on his shoulder, which only made him work harder to sit up. It seemed like forever before she capitulated and helped him up. His head swam, black spots flashed in front of his eyes, it hurt to take a deep breath, and he had to keep one leg stretched out, but he refused to give in.

“Are you okay?”

“Just give me a moment,” he murmured, fighting nausea.

“I don’t know why you have to be so stubborn,” she muttered. “You’re just like your father.”

Gray laughed. “Funny, Dad would say I get it from you.”

“Doctor Hunter,” the person who’d been attending to him stuck his head back in the room, “transport should be here any minute.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, her gaze going back to Gray.

The look on her face said she was still in doctor mode, and that as much as he wanted to, he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

“What month is it?”

Gray opened his mouth to respond, but then the door banged open. He glanced up just as soft arms wrapped around his neck and a toned body pressed as close as possible. Her perfume swirled around them, tickling his nose, and her soft hair brushed against his cheek.

“When your father told me what happened, I was so scared!” was whispered near his ear.

“I’m alright.” Gray took the newcomer’s elbows and gently moved her backward far enough to quip, “See, all in one piece.”

“Gray?”

The color leeched from her face, making him feel as if he’d committed a faux pas of some sort.

“Yes?”

“What’s wrong?” Her eyes flared, then flew to his mother, “Mary, what’s wrong with him?”

“Noth—” he tried to interject.

“Who am I? Do you know who I am?”

Her voice bordered on hysteria, again giving him the idea he was missing something. Gray took in her somber green eyes and short red hair. “You’re ...”

However, her name eluded him. It felt as if it was in his head, except every time he reached for it, he couldn’t quite grab onto it.

“Come on, Gray,” she laughed, but there wasn’t any humor in the sound. “You were just teasing when you said you wouldn’t recognize me ...” Her words trailed off. “Weren’t you?”

The sadness in her voice had something inside of him twisting. He wasn’t going to lie, though.

Gray sent a quick glance in his mother’s direction to see she still had on her doctor’s hat, and was studying him carefully.

“I’m sorry, I ...”

“I’m your wife!” the redhead cried before he could offer an answer. “Gray, I’m your wife.”

Gray reared back, her words making his head spin even more. “My wife?”

“Yes!” She cupped his jaw with her smooth hand, and he was torn. One part of him wanted to lean into it, but another shouted no, that’s all wrong.

“I don’t have a wife,” he murmured, looking away when her eyes filled with tears.

“Honey,” Mary interjected.

Gray trained his gaze on his mother, trusting her to tell him the truth.

“This is Sadie,” Mary assured him. “She’s your wife.”

“No,” he immediately denied.

“Yes.” Mary hesitated a second, and he could tell she’d gone back into doctor mode. “You said you didn’t remember the explosion, right?”

“Right.”

“But you do remember looking at plans?”

“Yes.” Gray glanced from one to the other. “Why?”

“What do you remember about the plans?”

“Why?” he asked, his head beginning to hurt even more.

“Humor me,” Mary pushed.

“Cam had just completed the plans for Two Scoops,” he rattled off the name of an ice cream shop they were building on the pier.

“Oh, dear,” she sighed.

“Mary, what does that mean?” The pretty woman with the red hair murmured.

“It means,” Mary explained to both, “I need to go get Danny. I’ll be right back.”

The Danny she was referring to was Doctor Dan Patterson, head of neurology. Which could only mean one thing. Except focusing on that possibility made his head hurt even more.

Instead, Gray turned his attention to the woman standing next to the bed. He studied her, and he could admit there was something familiar about her.

“What was your name again?”

“Sadie,” she whispered, her bottom lip trembling.

“Sadie,” he repeated several times, and an image popped into his head, “Long legs and ponytails.”

“Yes!” Her eyes lit up. “It’s what you said to me this morning.”

“This morning?”

“Yes,” Sadie’s eyes narrowed, “when we were in bed together.”

He had to admit there was something sexy about her. Long legs, curves in just the right places, and a mouth that was made for ...

Plus, the thought of being in bed with her caused his balls to tingle, assuring him he wasn’t dead.

“You’re Jessie’s friend,” he responded, the image of the girl in his head growing.

“Of course, I’m Jessie’s friend,” Sadie blew out a breath. “But I’m also your wife.” She cupped his face and pressed her mouth against his.

Her essence surrounded him, and Gray’s first instinct was to kiss her back. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened his other senses, reaching for that connection. And just as it was within his grasp, he opened his eyes to take hold.

* * *

Sadie kept expecting Gray to pull her tighter, like he always did. Or to slide his knuckles down her cheek. When he didn’t, she pressed harder, hoping he’d behave as she expected. Behave as he always did, like the man who loved her.

It was a handful of heartbeats before she allowed herself to admit, instead of pulling her closer, Gray was pushing her away. Slowly, she stood back and peered at the colors always swirling around him. And what she saw caused her heart rate to spike, and regret to be a tangible thing as it raced across her skin.

“It’s my fault,” she murmured, falling into the chair next to the bed. “It’s all my fault.”

Gray didn’t immediately jump off the bed and comfort her, but what had she expected? He was hurt ... because of her.

Once again, Sadie lifted her head to observe the colors surrounding her husband. They were muddy, murky, a tangle of grays and blacks. Her stomach clenched, and her heart felt as if it were being ripped in two.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, “you don’t like to see me like this.”

Gray tilted his head, his blue eyes assessing. The way he was looking at her would normally have caused a kaleidoscope of color. But they didn’t change.

“My mother said I was in an explosion,” he replied. “How was that your fault?”

She shook her head, denying that was what she was referring to, but knew she couldn’t explain. Especially when it wasn’t something she completely understood herself.

“It’s not important,” Sadie brushed it aside to focus on his injuries that didn’t involve his memory. “Where does it hurt?”

“All over,” he quipped.

His flippant response reminded her of the old Gray. The one who flirted with all but was close to none.

“You cut your head.” There was a bandage on his temple, he was sitting very gingerly, and only one leg was hanging off the bed. “Did you bang up your bad knee, as well?”

“My bad knee?” Gray repeated so quickly, she could tell her question had surprised him.

“Your left one,” Sadie indicated the one stretched out on the bed.

The colors around him swirled, they were still murky, but just for a split-second, she’d thought ...

“How do you know about my bad knee?”

“I’m your wife,” she retorted, but the answer caused the colors to darken instead of lightening. “Sorry, I should have said ... I know you.”

“And my knee?”

Sadie smirked, “You claim it’s your weathervane.”

“I do say that,” Gray murmured.

Mary rushed back into the room, redirecting their attention, “When they take you down for X-rays,” she explained, “they’ll also do a CAT scan.”

“And what will that tell us?” Sadie couldn’t help but ask.

“Hopefully, it will give us an idea as to why Gray’s having a difficult time remembering the last few years.”

“Few years?” Gray and Sadie asked in unison.

Then their eyes met, and Sadie held her breath, hoping ...

Gray sent her a crooked smile, but instead of his look becoming more intimate, he turned his attention to his mother. “How many years?”

“You told me you were thirty-one.”

“I’m not?”

“You were thirty-four last October,” Sadie whispered. “We spent a long weekend in New York.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Mary cautioned them. “Maybe there are just holes in your memory. We’ll know more after the CAT scan.”

“What then, Mary?” Sadie asked. “When will he remember me? Remember our life together?”

Mary squeezed her fingers, but rather than feeling comforted by the gesture, it just freaked Sadie out a bit more.

“Mary?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer, Sadie. I’m sorry.”

“But why?”

“The brain is a tricky thing,” Mary went on. “There are some things we can explain with certainty. And other things ...”

“Which means his memories may never return?” Sadie whispered.

“I’m sorry.”

Mary’s expression said she was not only sorry, but that she was also worried.

“How did this happen?” Sadie frowned at Gray. “You promised you were going to be careful with those explosions.”

“I’m always careful.” Gray was back to his smart-ass answers. “But I don’t think this was my fault.”

“What did you remember, Gray?” Mary asked quickly. “Did something else come back to you?”

He shook his head, “Not a memory, just a feeling.”

“How so?”

“You asked what the last thing I remembered was, right?”

“And you said that it was getting out of your truck,” Mary replied.

“If I set the explosions, wouldn’t that be the last thing I remembered?”

“Not necessarily,” Mary denied.

The way he was talking to his mother reminded Sadie of her Gray. And while his colors were still murky, there were hints of green and blue, which caused her heart to twist even more.