Ryder jolted awake to the shrill cry of his phone, the sound splitting through the quiet of the coastal inn room. His heart thudded like a bronc under him as he fumbled in the dark, the device slipping from his grasp and clattering to the floor. Cursing softly, he groped for it, finally pressing it to his ear, his voice gravel-thick with sleep.

“Rose… Lord, girl, why you callin’ at this hour?”

On the other end, Bella Rose’s voice spilled out quick and bright, like a lamp switched on ...