Book 2 of 2, sequel to Alaska's Illicit.
In which Mikaere returns to Alaska, but upon arriving realizes that she has a new problem: Vaughn, Darren, or should she just stick with Jared?
Vaughn's past and life are revealed, and also a serial killer mi...
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: PRETZELS AND POOL
When Vaughn left, Si and Jasmine stayed in touch, because the latter was like an older sister to the younger Westergaard. Tommy was there, of course, but they weren't as close as they once were. Because they didn't just lose Penny. They lost Vaughn, and without the two of them acting as glue, they all fell apart.
Now their friendship is once again at the edge of collapse, and only Vaughn can salvage it. He knows what he has to do, he just isn't sure if she'll care to listen.
But of course, Mikaere would listen if given the opportunity. Hadn't she once been in a situation that required her side of the story? Hadn't she once hoped he'd give her the benefit of the doubt?
Sure, she has her troubles with doubt. But she doubts Vaughn is a bloodthirsty killer, too, regardless of what she once thought about him being an ax murderer.
Still, as much as she believes in his good intentions, she's had a tiresome night. Now all she wants to do is go home, cuddle with Red, and sleep.
She finds herself thinking back to the day before when she brought the larger pup for a walk and they came across an old man raking leaves into a huge pile. When he saw Red, he smiled. His face lit up, even while something in his eyes saddened, and he immediately told her about how he once had a golden retriever that loved jumping in leaf piles. He suggested that Red could jump in the one he had just raked if he wanted to.
Turns out, Red did indeed want to and had the time of his life doing just so.
She mainly wishes she had gotten it on video. But at the same time, the sound of shared laughter with a stranger over beloved pets... also makes for a pure memory meant to stay just in her head and heart.
Vaughn, meanwhile, is trying to decide on when and how to tell her everything.
After all, didn't she once tell him why she fled her home in Washington, nervous about how he might react? He still remembers that night, how obviously anxious she was, and he feels a pang of guilt immediately after. How could he not do the same for her, and ease any anxiety she feels as a result?
After all, she motivated him to go home, as he took what she said to heart.
Back at the cabin in Chickaloon, she was always mentioning how he probably wanted her gone. And he wanted to speak up, wanted to tell her the truth. Wanted to tell her 'No, I like having you here,' but the truth was he was afraid.
He wanted so badly to open up to her, but he knew if she didn't know what happened, he wouldn't be able to.
And it is the same way now.
Maybe once he's told her everything, and if she's still around after, he'll finally be able to say the words he's written down.
He thinks back to the nights spent waiting for her in the village, and staying there for a little while instead of leaving. How could he tell her he'd traveled in the dark before, no problem? How could he tell her the reason he stayed was that he was worried for her? He could not.
