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pickup,” Kenzie offered. “And he could have been drunk. From what I’ve seen since moving to Midnight Bay, there’s not much for the young men to do at night around here, other than drink and get into mischief. Word is it was a bunch of teenagers who painted that dragon on the front doors of the library.”
    William snorted. “They must have been drunk, if that was supposed to be a dragon. Do ye think Maddy’s brother would actually strike her?”
    “If he’d been drinking, he might, if she confronted him. It would certainly explain her not saying anything to anyone, including Eve. Maddy has been the head of their household since her papa died several years ago.” He nudged William toward the passenger’s side of the truck. “Come on, we better get going before these folks decide to drive off without us. We’ll deal with this problem tonight. Maybe Eve can help us decide how to approach Maddy.”
    William walked up to the passenger’s door, but stopped and looked toward the nursing home. Kenzie should be impressed by his restraint. Hell, it was a wonder he’d managed even to wink at her, when he’d really wanted to pull her into his arms, kiss that bruise off her face, then demand the name of the bastard who’d put it there.
    William finally got into the truck and immediately turned to smile at the very people who could likely tell him about Maddy’s brother. “Just to make the day truly interesting,” he said, “I thought I’d offer a prize to anyone who spots the dragon living in my cove.”

Chapter Four

    M addy was caught off guard a second time that day when a tall, rather imposing man silently walked up to her nurses’ station at ten minutes to four. Apparently realizing that it took her a moment to recognize him, her cousin’s mouth lifted in the beginning of a smile—only it disappeared when his sharp, piercing gray eyes suddenly narrowed on her face.
    “Who in hell hit you?” he growled instead of the warm greeting she’d expected.
    Maddy touched her cheek. “I, um, tripped and fell off my porch last week. And it’s wonderful to see you, too, even if you are four hours late.”
    Instantly contrite, Trace stepped behind the counter, pulled her up out of her chair, and hugged her fiercely. “I’m sorry for growling at you like that, and for missing our lunch date.” He blew out a sigh. “Damn, Peeps, I’ve missed you. Every time I caught a whiff of antiseptic in the last five years, I saw your beautiful face.”
    “My signature cologne,” she said with a laugh, hugging him back just as fiercely. She leaned away to look at him. “Oh, Trace, it’s so good to see you. Are you really home for good?”
    “I’m not leaving Midnight Bay ever again.” His eyes crinkled at the corners with another hint of a smile. “Except to drive my two favorite girls over to Port Stone. Just as soon as you get off work, we’ll strap Sarah’s booster seat in my truck, and the three of us will go pig out on lobster down at the pier.”
    Maddy stepped away with a laugh. “Sarah hasn’t used a booster seat in four years; she’s nearly ten , Trace, and already quite a young lady. And I’m sorry, but old man Walsh died three years ago, and rumor is they buried him in his lobster shack.”
    Trace stared at her in disbelief, but then his gaze strayed to her cheek, and his eyes hardened again. Maddy laced her fingers through his and started down the hall, stopping to peek into the sitting room.
    “Katy, I’m heading out back to the gazebo for a few minutes. If you need anything, just give me a holler.”
    Katy looked up from the newspaper she was reading to some of the residents, her eyes widening when she noticed the man holding Maddy’s hand. “Oh. Sure. I’ll give you a holler,” the young girl stammered. “Um, shouldn’t the others be back by now?” she asked—though Maddy wasn’t sure if she was asking her or Trace, as the poor girl couldn’t seem to stop staring at her