“Why Danielle’s store? Does she like candles that much?” His joke fell flat.
“Not really why she goes there. You clearly never have gone in there.”
“Haven’t had the chance.” He gripped her hand in his for a few seconds. “I’m really sorry you have to deal with this. It can’t be easy taking care of her and running the diner all by yourself. Has she been ill for long?”
“For a few years, yeah. But she is getting worse. That’s why I hired Misty, but it’s just not working out for some reason. I don’t know how she keeps sneaking out.”
“Maybe she’s crafty.”
“Or maybe Misty isn’t doing her job properly.”
Mason winced. “Maybe. Why did you hire her?”
“We’re not exactly a hot spot for health care professionals. It’s hard to find anyone to stay here. Remember I told you that we couldn’t get a doctor? Well, we don’t have nurses either.”
“Is it so hard to keep people here because the electricity is touch and go?” He didn’t get why people wouldn’t want to be in Half Moon Key forever.
“That and the bad cell reception. Not to mention how secluded we are. It’s not for everyone.”
“I guess not, but Half Moon Key sure had its charms. I like it here.”
“Well, sure. Everyone likes it for a little bit, but it doesn’t last. Unless you’re born here, you will leave.”
“Do you think that Cohen will leave eventually?”
She was silent for a little bit. She even increased her pace until she was a few steps ahead of him. “This is a shortcut.” She pointed up ahead. They were in the forest, following a dirt path that wasn’t exactly flat. Big tree roots stuck out from the ground, and long hanging tree branches had him ducking every now and again.
If Lila’s grandmother had come this way, he couldn’t smell her. Nor could he imagine that an elderly woman would be able to navigate this path with much ease.
“I think your brother has a reason to stay here,” Lila finally said.
“You mean his fight with Danielle over the booth?”
She snorted. “No. Though I’m sure that is in the con column.”
“I don’t know. He likes arguing. It could be in the pro column.”
“Cohen might stay because he has a job here. A purpose.”
“I could have a job here if you hired me. Officially. I was supposed to be on probation for a week. It’s been way longer than that.”
She shook her head. “Mason,” she sighed. “It’s totally different.”
“What? How is it different?”
“Because your brother is the Sheriff. Not a cook.”
Mason didn’t know what else he could do or say to make Lila realize that hewasn’tgoing anywhere any time soon. Obviously, it would have made matters that much easier if she were his mate. He would have told her about shifters and all about mates. Then he would mate her, and that would be it. They would have their happily ever after.
Things were not so simple. Lila wasnothis mate, and though he didn’t super understand why he was so attracted to a woman who wasn’t his fated mate, he knew it could happen. After all, Cohen had fallen in love with a woman who broke his heart.
It was dangerous to fall for a woman who wasn’t your fated mate because there was no guarantee, but for Lila? Mason was ready to take the risk. There was something special about the woman.
Suddenly, there was a break in the trees and a small clearing with a few stone monuments. Even in the dark distance, Mason knew what they were.
Gravestones.
He tried to kill the shiver that ran up his spine. “Where are we?” he asked, keeping his voice low. Not that he was superstitious, but he had no clue there was a hidden cemetery in the woods. He thought he had explored most of the woods around town since moving here, but apparently, he was wrong.