“Security lights, I can do. It was already on the list. I don’t want anyone tripping if they come back after dark.”
I fought the urge to push. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a camera or two. This happened in the middle of the day.”
Parker nodded. “We have a friend who’s great with that kind of thing. He’ll help you set it up for free. You’d just need to buy the cameras.”
Parker was right. Griffin loved configuring systems to give someone a sense of security. One call and he’d be over here in a flash.
Piper scratched Bruno behind the ears, and he leaned into her leg. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not ready to spend a bunch of money on cameras. I have other things that need to take priority. When the first round of cabins is done, I’ll think about it.”
I knew a brush-off when I heard one. She wouldn’t take one penny away from restoring this place. “I can run to the hardware store and get what you need for the security lights. When are your first summer tenants arriving? Having vehicles parked on the property should help, too.”
Piper looked back at the lodge, a hint of panic sweeping over her features. “They come tomorrow.”
I moved in closer, my hand going to her shoulder. Even that part of her was petite. Delicate and fragile—but far stronger than it appeared. Just like the rest of Piper. “We’ll get it cleaned up. We’ve got the rest of the day.”
“Thank you. I know it’s not your job—”
I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I’m happy to help. Whatever you need.”
Two deputies rounded the corner of the building. The guy was unfamiliar, but I’d seen the female deputy a handful of times. She nodded at our group. “All done. But I’m not sure we’re going to find what we’re looking for. There were hardly any prints near the area of the most damage.”
“Great,” Piper mumbled.
Parker sent her a sympathetic smile. “We’ll do what we can to find out who did this. In the meantime, stay safe. You have my card. Call if you think of anything.”
“I will.” She looked around at the group. “Thank you for coming. I really appreciate your help.”
Parker reached out a hand for her to shake. “Anytime. But I hope the next time I see you, it’s over a beer at The Catch, not at a crime scene.”
The corners of Piper’s mouth turned up. “Sounds a hell of a lot better to me.”
I glared at Parker. Was he hitting on her? “See you around.”
There was an edge to my tone that Parker didn’t miss. He slapped my uninjured shoulder and whispered under his breath, “Not how I meant it. Stand down.” I grunted in response, and Parker chuckled. “Let’s hit the road, guys. Call if you need anything, you two.”
We watched as Parker and the deputies drove off. When they disappeared from sight, I turned back to Piper. “I got you a sandwich when I was in town. What are the chances I can get you to eat it before we survey the damage?”
“Slim to none,” she muttered. Scrubbing her hands over her face, she sighed. “Sorry. I’m cranky. That was really nice of you.”
“It was extra-nice of me. It’s a BLT from The Catch.”
Her eyes flared. “How’d you know that place was my favorite? The sandwich, too.”
I grinned. “I didn’t. It’s my family’s restaurant.”
“Really? I always loved going there growing up.”
I searched Piper’s face, wondering if we’d ever met when we were kids. I’d spent so much time at the restaurant during the summer. Running in to beg my dad to give me French fries to take out to the beach or stuffing my face before heading off with my friends. “You have good taste.”
She smiled, but it seemed just a bit sad. “Tell you what? Let’s survey the damage, and then we can eat. We’ll make a plan of attack over lunch.”
“Deal.” I started towards the front of the lodge, Piper and Bruno following.
When we reached the front porch, Piper gave Bruno a command to stay, and he whined in protest. She bent, rubbing the sides of his face. “I know. But there’s broken glass in there. I don’t want you to cut your paws.” Bruno licked her cheek, and Piper laughed. “I love you, too.”
The laugh was the first truly carefree sound I’d heard come out of Piper’s mouth. It made me realize just how much pressure she had put on herself to get this place up and running. It was a heavy weight to carry. She needed to share a bit of that burden or she’d buckle under it all. Anyone would.
I pushed open the door and muttered a curse under my breath. Furniture was overturned, and shards of glass and what looked like dishes were scattered all over the floor. I moved through the space, going from one room to the next, but it looked as if the damage was centered around the main entry room. I turned back to Piper. “Have you checked upstairs?”
“Not yet.”
“Let’s go.” The stairs creaked in the silence as we climbed.
Piper scooted around me when we hit the hall and let out a slew of curses that would’ve made a sailor blush when she reached what I assumed was her room. Clothes were strewn about, books lay open on the floor, and photographs were everywhere.
“Shit,” I muttered.
Piper bent, picking up a photo. “At least they didn’t tear them, I guess.”
I moved in behind her, looking down at the picture. It was of two girls, their arms slung around each other, beaming up at the camera. Piper’s hair was in two braids, and she was missing a front tooth. The blond-haired girl had a high ponytail and was missing the opposite tooth. Posed on the front porch of the lodge, everything about them screamed: happy and carefree.
“That was one of my favorite trips here. They had the stables up and running, and Jenn and I took trail rides every day we were here. We had a picnic at Mount Orcas. Went kayaking. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun as I did on that trip.”
Hearing her words, I understood a bit more what Piper was fighting for. She was trying to reclaim the innocence and joy that had been stolen from her. And she was trying to gift it to other families. To give them a piece of what she had loved so much about this place.
I moved in just a little closer. “You’ll have that kind of fun again.”
She kept staring down at the picture, her thumb sweeping across her friend’s face. “But it won’t be the same.”
“No, it won’t. And you’ll never stop missing her. But you wouldn’t want to, would you?”
Piper turned to face me, just a breath away. “No. If I stop missing her, it means I’ve forgotten.”
“So, hold onto her. To all the memories you have. But don’t let them weigh you down and keep you from moving forward. That’s where you’ll find new joy. And she’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Piper’s mouth curved the barest amount. “You’re pretty profound, you know that?”
I chuckled. “It’s all that time building things. Gives you time to think.”
“Maybe you should make a coffee table book. You could call it Zen Wisdom of a Contractor.”
“Smartass,” I mumbled.
“Come on and feed me. It’s been way too long since I’ve tasted one of those BLTs.” She stepped around me and started down the hall. “And I hope to God you got me French fries. A BLT is nothing without some of those curly fries.”