Karri, are you?”
Skye took a deep breath and nodded. “Just Karri and me. No one, and I mean, no one knows we are here. Please tell me no one posted about me being here? I was planning on keeping a low profile until the gator thing happened.”
Everyone shook their heads letting Skye know nothing had been posted.
“You played Anne Bonny. That makes you part of Shadows Landing,” Skeeter said as everyone nodded in agreement.
Trent went to open his mouth but Skye stopped him. “There’s more.” She told them of the attack, of her staff wanting her to take the movie role and use the leaked photos for the movie, and about how she went against their wishes and contacted the FBI. “So, I guess I did leave something out. Agent Shaw knows I’m here and so does an Agent—”
“Castle,” Karri filled in for her.
“He’s good people,” Granger told her in full cop mode. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
“You know him?” Karri asked with a little blush to her cheeks.
Skye looked from her friend to Trent and gave him a smile that said she noticed the blush too and they’d talk about it later. In that moment, Trent could breathe again. The connection that had been so strong between them was back. He hadn’t missed his chance and he was not going to waste this second chance.
“He’s friends with our cousin in Kentucky,” Gavin answered. “When my wife was in trouble, he helped us.”
“Us too,” Trent’s brother, Wade, said.
Harper rolled her eyes. “Okay, so he helped my husband and me too. He’s a good guy. And going after someone with a lacrosse stick and shoving them out the window is pretty badass. You can stay. For now.”
“Harper,” Gavin groaned at his sister as Skye laughed.
“What can we do to help?” Edie asked.
“I was hoping Karri and I could hang out here until I knew who was behind the attack and the leaked photos,” Skye asked not just Trent, but the entire town gathered around her.
“Of course you can, child,” Miss Ruby said as if insulted she’d even asked.
“We protect our own,” Miss Winnie told her matter-of-factly and Trent was grateful for their acceptance of her. Skye had told him how much she missed that small-town feel and they were giving it to her now. They had no idea how much it meant to her, but Trent did.
“Normally I’d welcome you to stay at our bed and breakfast, but we’re full up,” Maggie told her as she glanced to Trent. “And you might want to change your hair. While I wouldn’t worry about the town, I can’t guarantee our guests won’t spill it.” Skye looked around in fear and Maggie smiled gently at her. “Don’t worry, they’re not here. They’re all in Charleston for a festival.”
“I have some hair color,” Georgina offered. “If you stop by Harper’s bar, I can turn you blonde or give you some blonde chunks that will change up how you look.”
“Thank you,” Skye said with all the feeling she had. “Everyone, thank you.”
Tinsley turned and smiled at Karri. “Hi, I’m Tinsley. I’m Trent’s cousin and I live near him. Do you want to stay with me? I have a spare room. Then Skye can stay with Trent.”
Karri and Tinsley shared a smile and Trent knew they were setting them up, but in this case he was happy for his cousin to interfere. “That works for me. What about you?” Trent asked Skye.
“I just can’t say thank you enough,” Skye told everyone. “But I’m starving. Any chance I could get the Bubba special?”
Granger looked down at his phone and then back up at them. “Agent Castle will be here after work today to meet with you. Let’s get you settled and then we can meet over at Harper’s before Castle gets here. Georgina can do your hair and then we’ll meet with Castle. Welcome to Shadows Landing, Miss Jessamine.”
Granger walked out the door and then all chaos erupted. Introductions and questions about the movies flew all around him. One thing that didn’t move, though, was Skye. Trent held her hand in his and kept her by his side. He let her become part of the town, all the while thinking how he could make up for being a cowardly jerk for not calling her sooner.
7
Skye felt as if she were among friends. No one was treating her differently than they did each other. They were curious about the movies and loved hearing her stories, but not because