Whispers of You (Lost & Found #1)(101)

My SUV took the final dip that brought me into downtown Cedar Ridge. The lake peeked between the trees and buildings that held the standard offerings of a small, touristy town. Art galleries, gift shops, restaurants, even a little salon and spa. I was relieved that most hadn’t changed since I’d last been here. I needed the predictability right now.

My fingers flexed as I ran my thumb across the spot where a ring used to rest. My hand felt lighter since dropping it on the kitchen counter ten days ago. Maybe because the diamond had been ridiculously large. Maybe because it had been more of a shackle than a promise of forever and love.

I guided my SUV past my favorite pizza place. My mouth curved as I thought about the number of times Nash and I had sat in one of those booths, devouring a pie with all the toppings—aside from anchovies—and laughing our heads off. I passed the dock where I’d pushed Nash in the water when he told me that my crush on Cooper Sullivan was stupid. And Dockside Bar & Grill, where we’d stopped for milkshakes practically every day after school.

So many beautiful memories. But they made an ache take root in my chest—one of regret and longing.

Maybe it was dumb to come back here. I probably should’ve picked somewhere entirely new—a place where memories didn’t haunt me, both the good and the bad.

But when everything blew up in my face, this was the only place I’d wanted to go, even if it’d meant driving more than two thousand miles to get here.

I pulled off Main Street and onto a road headed into the forest. I welcomed the coverage the trees brought. As if they were a blanket that could hide me from the world.

My foot eased off the accelerator as I searched for the cabin. I knew roughly where it was, but I hadn’t seen it in over a decade. A gravel driveway held a mailbox with the address I was looking for.

I flicked on my blinker and turned into it. The trees grew thicker as I navigated the winding, makeshift road. Finally, a cabin came into view. It looked older and a little rough around the edges, but I’d be living off my meager savings until I found a job, so this would have to do.

Pulling to a stop, I switched off my engine and climbed out near another SUV parked in the drive. I assumed it belonged to Jordan Cohen. He ran a vacation company that was a one-stop shop for tourists: excursions, tours, and cabin rentals. The other places for rent were nicer, designed for those expecting a bit of luxury, but when I’d called begging for something more long-term, he’d said he had one he was waiting to fix up. I’d taken it sight unseen.

“Maddie?”

My head snapped up at the feminine voice.

A second later, a petite blond blur of motion approached, and she pulled me into a hug. I sucked in a sharp breath but bit back the flare of pain.

“Oh, my God! Are you Jordan’s new renter? Of course, he didn’t say a word to me. Just grunted as he told me to meet the new tenant to give her the keys. But he’s the boss.”

Grae chattered on as she released her hold on me. “Are you back for good?”

I gripped my keys tighter as I forced a smile. “Well, I signed a year lease, so I’m here for that long, at least.”

Grae’s mouth pulled down into a frown. “Are you sure you want to stay here? Jordan really shouldn’t be renting it out. It needs a ton of work and—”

“I’ll be fine. He warned me it was a little rough. But this late in the season, there wasn’t anything long-term on the market.”

Grae bit her lip and nodded. “Nash didn’t tell me you were coming back. I’m gonna junk-punch him for that.”

I winced. Of course, Grae would expect her brother to tell her that I was headed back to Cedar Ridge. We were two years apart in age, but I’d been close with her and her best friend, Wren Williams, because we’d all spent so much time at the Hartley home.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet. I was going to text him when I got settled.” The truth was that my conversations with Nash had grown few and far between. Every ounce of that distance with the person who’d known me better than anyone had killed more and more of my soul.

Grae’s jaw dropped open. “You didn’t tell him you were moving back?”

Guilt dug its claws in deep. “Things have been kind of crazy. Coming home was a last-minute decision.”

“Oh.” Her brow furrowed, but then her face melted into a smile. “He’s going to lose his shiz-nit when he finds out. He’ll be so happy.”

My lips twitched. Grae had been on a mission to clean up her foul language since the birth of Lawson’s first son. The result was the creation of some creative non-curse words. “It’s good to see you.”

She let out a squeal and did a ridiculous happy dance. “I’m so happy you’re back. Wren’s going to be, too. We have to get together for a girls’ night ASAP.”

“I’d love that. Just give me a few days to get settled.”

Grae crossed to me and extended the keys. “Here you go. Do you want me to stick around and help you clean?” Her nose scrunched. “It’s going to need it.”

I chuckled. “That’s okay. I can handle it.”

“What about cleaning supplies and groceries?”

“I stopped at a Target on my drive and got all the essentials to tide me over for at least a few days. But thank you.”