“I’m done.” He set his cup down and offered a small, reassuring smile. “Go on—he needs you. I should head out anyway.”

He nodded toward the window. “Looks like the rain’s let up.”

Hadley hesitated, but her concern for Brady won out. “Alright. Let me walk you out.”

At the door, she pulled an umbrella from the cabinet and handed it to him. “It’s still drizzling. Here, take this.”

Then she reached for her keys and pressed them into his palm.

“Sorry for dragging you into this. You just got off the plane, haven’t even made it home yet, and you’ve been running around nonstop… You didn’t drive, so take my car. It’s tough finding a cab in weather like this.”

Zane shook his head with a chuckle. “It’s really not a big deal.”

“Take it,” Hadley insisted. “I won’t feel right otherwise.”

He paused, then gave in with a light shrug. “Alright then—I’ll accept your generosity.”

“There’s nothing to be formal about,” she said, pushing open the door. “If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”

“There’s no need to come outside,” Zane said, stopping her with a gentle hand. “It’s still coming down out there. Don’t get yourself soaked and end up with a cold—you’ve got Joy to look after. Moms don’t get sick days.”

Hadley gave a small nod, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “Drive safe, then.”

“I will…”

Zane opened the umbrella and stepped out into the light drizzle. Just as Hadley reached for the door to close it, his voice stopped her.

“Hadley.”

She turned back, curious. “Hmm? Something wrong?”

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“Yeah,” he said, hesitating for a beat as he chose his words. “When I got to the Hayes place earlier… Eric was already there.”

Hadley blinked, surprised.

Zane went on, his voice low. “If he hadn’t stepped in, Brady would’ve taken the full brunt of it. He shielded him—probably saved him from worse.”

Her lips parted slightly, stunned. That explained why Eric had shown up with Brady earlier.

“But… why was Eric there?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” Zane replied, shaking his head. “But I have a feeling Brady might know. Anyway… I’ll get going.”

“Alright, bye.”

With that, Zane turned and walked off, the umbrella shielding him from the rain as he disappeared down the path.

Once he vanished beyond the gates, Hadley shut the door and rubbed her temple, her brow still furrowed.

What exactly had happened?

She climbed the stairs, pulled out a soft set of her oversized clothes, and made her way to the guest room. Knocking gently, she called, “Brady? It’s me.”

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