Chapter One

Caroline

I found him there. In the space between who I was and who I wanted to be. In the place I’ve always been, the same small town I grew up in, surrounded by the people who love and loathe me in equal measure. He was sitting in a corner booth quietly, alone. His face a mask of contemplation. His body was more massive than anything I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, probably more chiseled than anything I will ever see in human form again. I’ve seen his kind lately, though. They opened a base on the water. It’s secretive, small, and wrapped with barbed fencing so high it seems to touch the sky. I know they’re here to protect our nation, but I can’t help but be bitter at the intrusion. They remind me of everything that’s been stolen.

The terror attacks that spanned the entire world rocked America right down to the core. Years later, we’re still recovering, still rebuilding. We are still hunting the terrorists responsible for stealing hundreds of thousands of lives, and trying to keep it from happening again. Our world changed that fateful day in a forever kind of way. While my small town, Bronze Bay, wasn’t affected directly, the next town over had an entire shopping mall that burned to the ground. Two suicide bombers made sure there was nothing left but ashes. The Homecoming Queen from our rival high school was doing charity work there that day. Every single person in our country was affected in some way or another.

Martial Law lasted for what seemed like forever and the grocery store shelves were barren for months. It’s lucky we’re in a small town on the water with farmland surrounding us. We fished a lot, and I ate more seafood in that time period than I’ll ever admit to. My mama’s old diner closed for several months and the small airport my daddy owns and runs temporarily became a museum. A place for him to tinker with engines and work on small projects to keep his hands busy.

While it’s hard not to stare at this large, out of towner, I intentionally look away. I do my best to avoid anything I’m not familiar with.

Shirley nudges me. “Do you see that cool drink of water?” she asks, leaning over to whisper in my ear. A pointless act, since every customer sitting at the bar top can hear her. They turn their gazes toward us, then away, knowing smirks on their faces.

Slicing a generous piece of apple pie, I keep my face neutral. “I saw him,” I whisper, letting a fork clank against the hot plate. “He’s been in twice this week.”

Anytime an unfamiliar person enters our town for longer than a stop through, people notice. Anytime a man with the physical presence, and looks of a Hollywood action movie star shows up, people, especially my friend Shirley, are frothing at the mouth to know more. A man like the one in the corner booth is little more than fresh meat. One of these women will stake their claim soon enough, and it won’t be me. Men like that don’t notice women like me. A hint of embarrassment washes over me as I internally admit I’ve noticed him at all. When he’s come in, he’s never sat at one of my tables.

Shirley clicks her tongue. “He’s in my section. I’m going to go give that man what he wants.” She grabs a tray off the beat-up Formica counter, tucks a strand of bleached blonde hair behind her ear, and sets forth on her mission. I laugh to myself and pass the ketchup bottle to Bob, a regular, seated in front of me.

He winks at me, overhearing Shirley’s departure. “You don’t need no fake hair and brazen walk, Caroline. You’ve got it all in spades over all of ‘em.”

Smiling wide, I stifle my irritation. No one wants to be compared to other people. I give Carl, another regular, his pie while saying, “Thanks, Bob. I appreciate that. Can I get you anything else? No mustard with your fries today?” Shaking his head, he mumbles around a bite of food.

“Tell me if you need anything else,” I say while turning my smile to Carl. He winks at me, and I take a quick glance at my full counter to make sure no one needs a refill before checking for orders in the kitchen behind me.

I’ve worked at my Mama’s diner since I was old enough to balance a tray and I’ve seen it all before. Secrets can’t hide in a place like this, not in this town, anyways. They are whispered, passed from friend to friend, given life even if they aren’t true. Botched proposals, cheating spouses, blackmail, stolen property—I’ve heard it all, even some things that will stay in my nightmares as long as I live.

Shirley comes up behind me, tucking her face close into my neck and says, “He. Is. Delicious. Caroline.”

I laugh. “You think every man is delicious,” I return, rolling my eyes so she can see my irritation. Shirley ignores me completely while she grabs an order, shaking her head to herself, a grin permanently affixed to her face. Glancing at the wall of a man briefly, I know he is a little more delicious than the standard Bronze Bay man. He’s not wearing a fishing shirt, cowboy boots, or a cocky smile. His face is angular, stony. Thick lashes line his narrow eyes and his jaw is covered in a dark black scruff.

“Order up,” Caleb calls, breaking me from my quiet daydream. “Caroline. It’s yours,” he adds on, grinning when he sees he’s caught my attention.

I smile. No teeth. “Thanks, Caleb.”

“What are you doing this weekend? Any big plans?” he asks, eyeing a few orders hanging in front of him. He’s twenty-one, and he’s been here since he graduated high-school. He’s always been nothing except kind, but I also know he’d jump at the chance to be more than my friend. No one gets that kind of chance though, so I nod his way. “You heading to the spot tonight? Heard there’s going to be a big party.” Caleb throws three patties of meat on the grill, and then returns to the window.

I hang up another order while saying, “Still working on my apartment. I want to get it finished this month, so it’s crunch time. No time left for much else. You should go to the spot. I bet it will be a blast!” The spot is a place in the woods off of one of the main roads in Bronze Bay. It’s cleared for the most part and it’s a never-ending tailgate party every single weekend. Usually there’s a bonfire, someone ends up burning themselves, a dozen throw up in the woods, and at least one couple gets caught having sex by the canoe docks. I went a time or two when I was younger and I was shocked enough to stay away after that. Some nights the cops bust it up, other times they join in the debauchery. That’s the charm of a small town. It’s also the curse of it.

“I can help at your apartment. Got a set of hands that are at your disposal,” Caleb replies, while laying cheese over the crackling meat.

I clear my throat. “That’s okay. My Dad helped with the more in depth woodwork, and now it’s stuff I can handle. Thanks for offering, though. I appreciate that.” Because of my skills in tinkering with airplane engines, I’m really good with all household projects. I only needed my dad to help install the cabinets. I made them on my own.

Caleb’s smile falls. “Oh,” he grunts.

Damn basic bitch guilt. “Maybe another time though?” I add, internally groaning.

He brightens. “Sure thing, Caroline. Hope you get everything finished and it comes out how you want it.”

Sighing while simultaneously smiling, I turn back to the bar and fill a few glasses while checking on my customers. Pocketing a couple tips, I wipe off the counter and Shirley catches my eye. She’s leaning over his table, elbows bent, butt in the air. She’s laughing, presumably about something he said, but his face is flat, no telling signals if he’s welcoming of her attention. Sipping his mug of coffee, his eyes leave her face and his gaze finds mine. Steely. Magnetic. A knowing smile tilts his mouth and just like that he turns to reply to Shirley.

Taking a deep breath, I realize I’ve been holding my breath while staring at him. I startle when someone lays a hand on my back. “You can leave whenever you want, sugar. I know you’ve been here since before the breakfast rush,” Mama says, patting my back. At the reminder, my feet ache a bit.

“Why are you here so early? Is Daddy still at the airport?” I tell her, hugging her quickly before clearing Bob’s plates and taking the twenty dollar bill he left under his plate. I talk to her while I cash out his tab, and pocket my tip. She tells me about her day with her friend Gloria. I love that I can help out here when she needs me. It’s what I’ve always known. The diner is my safe haven.

“Daddy’s there. He’ll be there all night tinkering with heaven knows what. He said the apartment upstairs is almost ready. Y’all going to finish it this weekend then?”

Shaking my head, I tell her all we have left to do as excitement swells in my chest. Finally, a place of my own. A place I already love. It’s two-thousand square feet of space above the enormous airplane hangar on our property. I’m about to tell her about the shade of white I picked for the exposed brick wall when Shirley saunters over to us. “Did Caroline tell you about my new boyfriend?” she coos at my mom.

I roll my eyes and wipe the counter. Again. Carl waves, and I wish him a good day.

Mama laughs. “Which one now?” she asks, humoring my friend who she’s known almost as long as she’s known me. It’s been a friendship of a lifetime. I never left after high school and neither did Shirley. It was for different reasons, though. I love the airport. And flying. And I could never leave Bronze Bay behind because of it. The airport will be all mine one day soon. I’ve already taken over almost all of the business aspects. Shirley stayed because although she was smart enough for college, it wasn’t anything she wanted. After that decision was made, staying made the most sense.

“His name is Tyler, he works at the new base off Island Run Trail and,” Shirley says, jerking her head in his direction, “he’s single.”

I sigh. “Of course he is. Look at him. He doesn’t look like the type of guy that keeps a woman. Not one, at least.”

“You’re such a sorry sport, Caroline. One day you’ll realize what you’re missing,” Shirley says, her lip turning up in a snarl. “I’m going to ask him out,” she finishes, her chin high.

“You should. He’s perfect for you,” I return.

My mom nudges me with her shoulder. “Why don’t you ask him out instead?”

Shirley laughs and I turn to look at my mother dearest. “Not you too!” I nearly shout. “Come on. I can’t catch a break.”

Beside me, Caleb appears his dirty apron hanging over one arm. “Everyone thinks you should go on a date then, huh?” he asks, his voice low, stance wide. “I tried!” He exclaims.

“Oh, Caleb, honey. It’s not you. It’s her,” Shirley says, turning her charm onto the short order cook. I have to give her credit. She’s a horny chameleon. I’m used to everyone discussing my lack of relationship status. That’s nothing new. If it gives them something innocent to talk about, so be it.

Mama saves me by making small talk with Caleb about his upcoming shifts, and Shirley clears one of her other tables. Tyler, I think. My best friend doesn’t get a chance to ask him out. He stands and his sheer size is overwhelming. More than one person turns to look in his direction.

He’s at least 6’2 and his clothes pull against every chiseled muscle on his body. No, he’s definitely not a Bronze Bay man. This man-beast is in a league all of his own. His hair is dark, and the scruff on his face says he doesn’t give a shit, and he knows it looks hot. He has big blue eyes, a jawline that is magazine worthy, and a straight angled nose. In other words, he must be a horrible person because his exterior is pretty damn close to perfection.

Tyler’s boots are heavy against the tile as he makes his way to the front door. Before he opens it, he glances at me long enough to give me a smug, crooked grin. No teeth.

The bell bangs on the glass door as he leaves. I swallow hard.

“Oh, my God. He totally wants you,” Shirley says, witnessing his barely there grin.

I raise one brow. “Right. Of course he does,” the sarcasm dripping as I speak. Changing my tone and being serious, I say, “I bet you get that date the next time he comes in.”

Shirley is swearing under her breath as she goes to clean the beasts table.

Taking off my apron, I put it in the basket under the counter labeled with my name. I grab my messenger bag, kiss my mama and throw a quick goodbye to my disgruntled bestie.

Once outside, my eyes turn to the sky. Hopping on my bicycle, I ride, half distracted by clouds to the airport. The roads are never too busy here and we are close enough to the coast you can always smell the saltwater no matter where you are.

Someone honks, but I ignore it.

I’m almost to my happy place.