Page 26 of Summer Ever After

There was a pause, then Brett’s voice dropped into that no-nonsense tone that always made Aaron straighten up.

“We’ve had a situation at Cabin Loop C. Two guests. Possibly three. Things got physical. I’ve called the police in on this one. I need you en route.”

Aaron was already moving.

By the time he reached Loop C, a cluster of guests had gathered on the paved pathway, phones out, faces pale. A woman clutched her sides like a shield. The thick, sweet scent of spilled beer hung in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. He caught sight of one of the campers, mid-thirties, sunburned and built like a linebacker, sitting on the edge of the picnic table with a bloody nose and split lip. Another man was standing ten feet away, cursing under his breath as Brett and another guest tried to hold him back.

“Break it up,” Aaron barked, stepping between them, palms out.

He didn’t need to shout. His presence usually did the work.

The first man jerked his chin towards the other. “He came at me! Called my wife a⁠—”

“I don’t care what he called your wife. Who threw the first punch?” Aaron asked evenly.

“He shoved me,” the man muttered.

Behind him, tires crunched over gravel. A white sheriff’s cruiser rolled into view. And behind the wheel…

Aaron’s stomach dropped.

Ian.

Of course.

He watched as Ian stepped out of the car and straightened his vest, radio clipped high, every inch the polished officer. A few guests actually relaxed when they saw the badge. Aaron didn’t.

Ian’s partner followed. He knew and disliked both men.

Ian’s gaze slid over the crowd, locked on Aaron, then, briefly, on the chaos between the guests. He didn’t smile, but he nodded in that stiff, polite way that made Aaron’s jaw tense.

Did the man know he could see through his act? Could he tell how much Aaron felt for his ex-wife? How much he wanted to comfort her and protect her from him?

“We’ll take it from here,” Ian said to no one in particular, already striding towards the injured men.

Brett appeared by his side, clipboard in hand, jaw tight. He caught Aaron’s eye and jerked his head towards the side of the pathway.

Aaron met him halfway. “Of fucking course he’d show up.”

Brett muttered. “Dispatch sent whoever was on duty. Lucky us.”

They both glanced back at the scene. Ian was already interviewing the wife, taking notes, looking as composed as if this were a classroom demonstration instead of an altercation with blood and broken bottles.

Brett blew out a breath. “I’ve got this. You don’t need to stick around for this circus.”

Aaron lifted a brow. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’d rather have you go sit with Beth anyway,” Brett said, dropping his voice. “She doesn’t need to see him if she hasn’t already. You know he’ll try to see her now that he has an excuse for being on our land.”

Aaron’s spine stiffened. “She’s in the main building today?”

“No, I think she and Zoey are going through orders this morning in the supply building.”

Aaron didn’t hesitate. “You’ll call me if this goes sideways?”

Brett gave him a look. “Always. Now go. I’ll keep Ian occupied.”

Aaron didn’t need to be told twice.

He jogged down the service path towards the supply building, which was nothing more than an old cabin that had been turned into a holding space for camp supplies. The tension in his shoulders didn’t ease until the building, with its freshly stained siding and green trim, came into view through the trees.

His chest loosened as he heard her laughter come from inside.

She was safe.

For now.

But Ian being on the property changed everything. And as Aaron crossed the gravel and mounted the porch steps, he made himself a silent promise:

He wasn’t leaving her side.

Not today.

Not with him here.