Chapter 11

As she leapt to her feet, Rayleigh poked her head in the door. “Cage is here for you, honey. I think something is wrong.”

“Cancel the rest of my appointments,” she barked as she grabbed her purse and burst out of the break room.

“What’s going on?” the woman called after her.

Brea didn’t answer, just ran toward Cage, who waited near the entry, face somber. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight, as if he needed to give comfort as much as to receive it. She freely embraced him, but didn’t want any consolation. She just wanted Cutter home safely.

“Tell me everything. Where is your brother? How did this happen?”

Cage glanced around. Brea followed suit and realized everyone in the salon was staring. There was nothing this small town loved more than gossip, the juicier the better.

She had lovingly nurtured this community all her life. She’d loved everyone openly and without reservation. Now they gawked like rapt bystanders, watching as if