Xanthe was still drifting in a state of euphoria when she arrived at the cute little lilac Victorian with white gingerbread trim. Tripp’s truck was parked on the street, his woodworking business logo on the side.

The sun had set, but Mae had lanterns at the front garden gate and little fairy lights strung throughout the garden. They lit the way up the brick walkway to the front porch where a big rainbow flag hung beneath a sign that read EVERYONE Welcome Here.

The moment she started up the wooden front steps, a chorus of high-pitched barking started up inside. She hadn’t even made it to the welcome mat when the door opened and Mae stood there with a warm smile.

“Hello, young lady.”

“Hi.” Xanthe couldn’t help the huge grin on her face. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“Lachlan and I just freed an entangled humpback.”

“Oh, that’s amazing! I’ve been following the story on social media.” She engulfed Xanthe in a hug, her three little rescue mutts yipping and sniffing insistently at Xanthe’s feet and ankles.

“I’m all gross and sweaty. I didn’t have time to clean up.”

Mae snorted and squeezed her harder. “I don’t care. I’m so, so proud of you.”

Xanthe’s heart swelled at the praise. Mae was like everyone’s grandmother, but this made Xanthe miss her stepdad even more. She wished she could have called him to tell him the news. Wherever his spirit was now, hopefully he already knew. “Thank you.”

Mae stepped back. “Come inside. You must be starving.”

“Famished.” She followed Mae into the house, inhaling deeply. “It smells divine in here.”

“Good, because I made plenty. We’re eating out back. Hope that’s okay. I’ve got blankets out there if you feel chilly.”

Through the French doors that led out to the patio, she could see three people sitting at the table. “Sounds perfect.”

She stepped through the doors and onto the patio nestled in the center of Mae’s back garden. Smiled when Tripp and Willow both looked over at her. “Hi, guys. Sorry I’m—”

Her smile froze when the third person at the table turned around in his chair. Stared in shock at Blaine Slater’s handsome face. “Late,” she finished, shooting an accusing look at Mae.

Her good mood was gone. Killed dead in an instant.

She’d been set up. And not in a good way.