Raven glanced around. Sure enough, the once-dead courtyard was now alive with colorful blooms and green grass, and there was the new paved area under the hanging string lights that would be utilized for romantic dinners under the stars.
The fresh coat of paint that had been applied to the balconies changed the entire look of the buildings. Instead of the dull dark brown, she’d lightened things up with a soft cream that matched the stonework on the lower levels. It made the buildings look newer and more modern.
“It’s getting there,” she agreed as she watched Blue race across the yard.
“You could always add a dog park,” Cade suggested as he walked over to pick up Blue’s mess with a small plastic bag he’d pulled out of his jacket.
Up until now, the resort had had a no-pet policy. But times were changing. She liked animals and didn’t see any reason, outside of a few mishaps, that would stop her from letting guests bring their pets. For a small up-charge, that was.
“Good idea.” She glanced around. “A gated area, over there?” she suggested, pointing to a corner. “It’s out of the way of the ice rink in the winter and close enough to the doors for guests.”
“You’re going to start up the skate ring again?” Cade asked, depositing the trash into one of the outdoor bins.
“I am,” she answered with a smile. “It is one of my favorite memories as a child.”
Cade leaned closer to her. “I got my first kiss on that rink.”
“Oh?” She locked her arm through his. “Who with?”
“Katie Plaskett.” He sighed and looked a little wistful. “Then she went and broke my heart by pushing me down.”
Raven laughed. “How old were you?”
He snapped his finger for Blue to follow them. “Ten,” he answered as they walked in together.
She was laughing as they passed through the lobby and headed towards the elevators. When the doors started to shut behind them, a hand pushed in, stopping the doors from closing.
Her uncle stepped forward, blocking the doors from closing.
“Raven, do you have a moment?” Colin asked, avoiding Cade’s eyes. Cade instantly stepped between them.
Placing a hand on Cade’s shoulder, she stepped around him.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Colin. I’ve been told by the sheriff not to have any contact with you at this point,” she said smoothly.
“So, it’s true.” Colin sighed and pushed the doors back again as they tried to shut on him. “You’ve gone to the police about this?”
“You knew I would,” she said firmly and took another step forward. “You stole over three million dollars.”
Raven watched her words sink in. Her uncle’s face turned pale white before shooting to bright red as anger took over.
“You’ll pay for this,” he said in a low tone before stepping back and letting the doors shut.
She couldn’t stop the shaking that ensued once they were alone in the elevator.
Cade’s arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he whispered soothing words to her.
When the doors opened again on her floor, Cade pulled her out the doors. She walked as if in a daze with him down the hallway towards her rooms.
The moment she unlocked her room, she tensed and knew there was something wrong before she even turned on the light.
Cade was once again there, pulling her back, shielding her.
“What the…” He broke off when he turned on the light. Then he turned to her. “Don’t touch anything. I’m calling my uncle.”
She stood in the hallway, looking in at the destruction of her rooms, as he relayed the information to his uncle.
“He’s on his way.” Cade wrapped his arms around her again.
“Who would do this?” she asked, closing her eyes, locking the scene of destruction out.
“I hate to say it, but we did just have a run-in with your uncle,” Cade supplied.
She nodded. “My aunt was here yesterday before I left to talk to your uncle.”
He nudged her down the hallway a little and helped her sit down on the bench by the elevator doors.
“You okay?” he asked as he sat beside her.
She had taken a few deep breaths, which had helped her put things into perspective. All she had was clothes and her toiletry items. She’d gotten rid of everything else before heading back to Cannon Falls.
“It’s just clothes,” she said with a slight smile. “I can always buy more.”
He chuckled. “If anything, it’s a good excuse to.” He took her hand in his as his smile slipped. “We’ll figure out who did this.”
She closed her eyes and shrugged. “Does it matter? Their point was made clearly.”
“Want to back down already?”
Her eyes flew open. “Hell no.”
His smile was back. “That’s my girl.” He hugged her.
Just then the elevator doors opened, and she tensed until she saw Sean step out, along with a female officer.
Raven stayed where she was while Sean and Cade walked through the destruction. The female officer, Karin Taper, sat with her and took her statement. The sandy blonde–haired woman looked vaguely familiar, and Raven realized she must have known her before she’d moved away.
Karin wrote down each of her responses in a small notebook.
When Sean and Cade stepped out again, Karin turned to her.
“If you’d like, I can help you gather some of your things?” she offered.
“Thank you, but at this point, I think I’ll just go shopping.” She smiled.
“Good idea.” The older woman touched her hand. “Everyone in the station knows what you’re going through. I just wanted to tell you that I went to high school with your parents. Your mom and I were friends. Not close, but…” She nodded. “Friends nonetheless. If you need anything…”
“Thank you,” Raven said easily.
“I think we have what we need,” Sean told her. “I’ve taken pictures, but something tells me it wouldn’t do any good to take fingerprints. Hotel rooms can be complicated as a crime scene. I think we’d do better asking employees who was around and who knew where your rooms were.”
She nodded in agreement and looked over to Cade. “My family… they all knew.”
Sean sighed. “Yeah, they’re top of my list.” He glanced over at Cade. “Any chance I could convince you to move into a different room? Maybe keep it under wraps for a while? At least until the heat of the situation cools off some?”
“We were here to move her things to another room anyway. I’ve requested that all guests be housed in the other building until all the rooms and the fire system can be updated in this one.”
“Good.” Sean glanced over at Cade, then back at her. “Cade says that you were at his place after our meeting?”
“Yes,” she answered, unembarrassed about her choice to be with Cade. After all, if last night and this morning was a sign of how things could be, then she hoped to spend a lot more time with him. She knew people in town would find out sooner or later.
“Any chance you could be convinced to stay at his place for a while?” Sean asked.
Raven stilled as her eyes moved over to Cade, who just shrugged.