Bayside Destinies Read online

  Also by Stacy Claflin

  An Alex Mercer Thriller

  Girl in Trouble

  Turn Back Time

  Little Lies

  Curse of the Moon

  Lost Wolf

  Chosen Wolf

  Hunted Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Cursed Wolf

  Secret Jaguar

  Fall Into Romance

  Lost in Romance

  Gone

  Gone

  Held

  Over

  The Gone Trilogy

  Dean's List

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  Sweet Dreams

  The Hunters

  Seaside Surprises

  Seaside Heartbeats

  Seaside Dances

  Seaside Kisses

  Seaside Christmas

  Bayside Wishes

  Bayside Evenings

  Bayside Promises

  Bayside Destinies

  The Hunters: A Collection

  The Transformed

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forgotten

  Ascension

  Duplicity

  Sacrifice

  Destroyed

  Transcend

  Entangled

  Dauntless

  Obscured

  Partition

  Fallen (The Transformed Prequel)

  Silent Bite: A Transformed Christmas

  Hidden Intentions

  Saved by a Vampire

  Sweet Desire

  Standalone

  The Transformed Series - Four Books

  The Transformed Box Set

  No Return

  Tiny Bites

  Haunted

  Dex

  Contents

  Title Page

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Other Books

  Author's Note

  BAYSIDE DESTINIES

  THE HUNTERS BOOK NINE

  by Stacy Claflin

  http://www.stacyclaflin.com

  Copyright ©2018 Stacy Claflin. All rights reserved.

  ©Cover Design: Cormar Covers

  Edited by Staci Troilo

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

  This e-book is for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with others, please either purchase it for them or direct them to StacyClaflin.com for purchase links. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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  One

  Logan Hunter slid on his sunglasses and made himself comfortable on the porch swing. He closed his eyes and allowed the warm, Oregon morning sun to warm him from the outside in. It had been a few years since he’d taken a real vacation from the firm, and though the two-month break hadn’t been his idea—it was a use-it-or-lose-it situation—he was settling into the idea rather quickly now that it had started.

  The plan was to spend most of the summer working on his house and car, then at some point, have a guys’ camping trip with his brothers and some cousins, maybe even his dad and uncle.

  Music played from his shorts pocket. The tune told him it was the office.

  He pulled out the phone and accepted the call, still keeping his eyes closed. “Logan here. I thought you guys wanted me to take the time off.”

  “Do you know where the file is for the Davidson case?” His assistant Carly’s voice was more on edge than usual.

  Logan readjusted himself on the seat and kicked up his feet onto the top of the railing. “I passed all my cases onto the others. I think Howe has that one.”

  “He’s yelling at me because he doesn’t!”

  “Tell him it’s there with all the others. Oh, and tell him he’s smart enough to figure these things out himself. I’m on vacation.”

  “Sorry to bother you, but he’s throwing a real fit.”

  That didn’t surprise Logan. Howe had no patience and a short fuse. “Want me to chew him out for you?”

  “Well, I…” Her voice trailed away. “That isn’t why I called. I was just hoping you knew where the file is.”

  “Like I said, with all the others. He probably just missed it. Details aren’t his strong suit.”

  Carly sighed. “That’s what I told him. Well, not about him missing details. You’re the most organized person I know. You keep this place afloat.”

  Logan couldn’t deny that much. Everyone in the firm relied on him heavily, which was part of the reason he could never bring himself to take more than a few days off at a time—and then only around major holidays. If he was honest with himself, he loved being needed, so he played into the cycle as much as anyone else.

  His life was his job. Logan Hunter was the best attorney in town and he had no intention of letting anything hold him back from being the most sought-after lawyer in Enchantment Bay. Friends and family joked about him being married to work, but it wasn’t far from the truth. He certainly wasn’t going to have an actual wife. Not when previous dating relationships had gotten in the way of his job. The last time he’d had a girlfriend, Logan had been so distracted he’d nearly lost a huge case.

  It was the wakeup call he’d needed, and he hadn’t forgotten the lesson. No more dating.

  He hadn’t realized Carly was still talking on the phone.

  “Logan?”

  “Can you repeat the last part?” he asked.

  “Do you want me to tell the others you’re unreachable until Labor Day?”

  “That would probably be for the best. If they have questions about the cases that aren’t in my notes—and I left meticulous notes in each file—they can ask the clients themselves.”

  “Got it. Marked you DNC.”

  “DNC?”

  “Do not call. This’ll be the last you hear from the firm, Logan. I promise. Sorry to bother you.”

  “It’s no problem. Just tell Howe to breathe and maybe take up yoga.”

  Carly laughed. “That I’d love to see. Well, have a great summer.”

  “Thanks, Carly. You too. Be sure to take some time off for yourself.”

  “I will.”

  Logan cracked open one eye and ended the call. The real question was if he could stay away from the firm for two whole months. Handing off his cases to the other lawyers had been one of the hardest things he’d done in a long time.

  Not going in to the office would be just as challenging. He definitely w
asn’t a Mr. Fix-It type, so working on the house would be an interesting adventure, to say the least.

  But before he started on any projects, he just wanted to sit on his front deck and enjoy the morning. Birds sang all around the yard. A lawn mower roared to life down the street. Dogs barked in the distance. Sweet aromas from flowers next door wafted his way and mixed nicely with the scent of fresh-cut grass.

  It was the perfect day. Once the shade covered this side of the house, he’d have to head over to the beach to catch some more rays. Maybe stop by Mom and Dad’s coffee stand. They loved nothing more than when their kids stopped by to say hi.

  In the meantime, Logan had at least an hour of solitude to enjoy.

  “Logan? Logan Hunter?” An excited feminine voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  He held back a groan and forced his eyes open. A tall, slender brunette with cascading waves grinned at him. Logan pulled off the sunglasses and studied her. She was gorgeous, and he’d never seen her before. He would have remembered her face, that much was certain.

  She bounced up the walkway, stopped at the foot of the steps, and beamed. “It’s so good to see you again, Logan! You look great.”

  So much for never having seen her before. He strolled over to the top of the steps and tilted his head, studying her some more. She had striking green eyes and a light sprinkling of freckles across her nose.

  Where would they have met? She still didn’t seem familiar. He was certain he’d remember that face. “You look great, too.”

  Her smile faded. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  Guilt stung, but he shook his head. “Sorry, no. I wish I did. Care to help me out?”

  “Audrey Hughes.” Her pretty eyes widened in expectation.

  His mind raced. The name sounded familiar, although he couldn’t remember where he’d heard it before. A client, maybe?

  “The summer of our junior year.” Her bright green eyes widened more, obviously in hopes that he’d remember.

  Logan’s mouth dropped. “Audrey? Audrey Hughes?”

  She nodded and clutched her hands together. “You remember?”

  A flurry of fifteen-year-old memories raced through his mind. Audrey had been in Enchantment Bay with her family for just one summer. She’d been a part of his social group all season long, and they had become good friends. More than friends, actually. But after she had returned home, they’d lost contact with each other.

  And now that he had a free summer, she was back. Interesting timing.

  “I hope your silence is a good thing.” The pleading in her expression made his heart skip a beat. She was a lot prettier than he remembered.

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah, of course. I’m just surprised to see you. It’s been a long time.”

  “Fifteen years. Hard to believe how fast time flies by.”

  Logan laughed. “You sure know how to make a guy feel old.”

  Pink colored her cheeks. “Sorry, but if you’re old, then that makes two of us.”

  He shook his head. “Definitely not. So, what brings you back to Enchantment Bay?”

  Audrey’s expression darkened for a moment, but then brightened so quickly that Logan had to question if it had changed at all. She smiled sweetly. “Actually, I came to see you.”

  “Me?” She couldn’t have surprised him more than by saying that. “You came all the way here to see me?”

  “I don’t suppose you remember our deal?”

  Logan pressed his palm against the railing. His mind spun. “We made a deal?”

  She nodded toward the porch swing. “Mind if we talk?”

  “Uh, sure.” He stumbled back.

  What had he agreed to?

  Two

  Audrey’s pulse pounded as she followed Logan to the bench.

  How would he react? Would he even remember? Would he laugh at her, and send her away?

  She sat and jammed her shaking hand underneath her purse.

  He turned to her, his expression tense and his face two shades paler than it had been a minute before. “What was the deal we struck when we were seventeen?”

  Audrey held her breath. Logan Hunter was going to laugh at her and probably tell all their mutual friends that she was crazy.

  “Audrey?” His expression only held kindness.

  She relaxed and laughed nervously. “Sorry. Do you remember the weekend before I had to leave, we went to the beach?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ve already established that it was fifteen years ago and that I’m old.” The corners of his mouth twitched.

  Audrey smiled and relaxed even more. It was nice being with a guy who didn’t enjoy frightening her. She leaned back and thought back to her date with Logan all those years ago. “I know this probably sounds silly, but we agreed that if we weren’t married by age thirty, we’d get married. To each other.”

  His expression froze. He didn’t even blink.

  “Remember? We agreed that we had a lot in common and shared similar values. We figured if we weren’t married by then, we’d make a good match.”

  Logan still hadn’t blinked.

  She jumped to her feet. “Um, well, I know this is a lot to take in. If you—”

  He rose, and finally blinked. “We actually made a marriage pact?”

  Audrey nodded, her face flaming with heat. “I should’ve just emailed you or something. Or just not said anything at all. I’m really sorry to throw this at you. It’s probably stupid. I’ll get going.” She spun around and fled for the stairs.

  “Wait.”

  Audrey stopped and turned around slowly. “Yes?”

  “Why did you come here in person to ask about this? All the way from… where are you from?”

  It was only going to sound worse if she answered his questions. “I was in Spokane, but now I’m—” She paused, trying to find the best wording. “—in between places right at the moment.”

  He tilted his head and held her gaze. “Where are you staying now?”

  “I’ve got a temporary apartment near the beach.”

  “Are you moving here?”

  That was a great question, and also one she didn’t have the answer to. At least not yet. It would depend on Logan’s answer and a few other variables. “Maybe.”

  He nodded. “Well, maybe we can catch up soon. Get to know each other. I don’t know about you, but I’m not exactly the same person I was years ago.”

  “I’d like that. I’ve changed a lot, too.”

  “Maybe I could get your number.”

  Relief flooded her. Logan wasn’t blowing her off! He wasn’t proposing, but he actually wanted to get to know her. It was a start. Audrey rattled off her phone number, and he called her. Now they had each other’s numbers.

  A minute later, she waved as she walked back to her car. Logan waved from his porch. His smile indicated that he wasn’t nearly as shaken up as he’d been when she’d first reminded him of their pact.

  Silently, she chastised herself for being so blunt. If she’d have thought it through, she’d have started off slowly—getting to know him again, as he’d suggested—before throwing marriage at the man who still appeared to be the hottest guy in town.

  She was lucky he didn’t think she was a total idiot. It was nothing short of a miracle that he’d asked for her number.

  Unless he’d only asked so he could block it.

  Audrey’s face heated again.

  What if he had only asked for her number so he could steer clear?

  There was only one way to find out. She whipped out her phone and returned his call.

  It rang.

  Her mouth dropped. Logan hadn’t blocked her number?

  Now he probably would. Great.

  She needed to learn to stop while she was ahead.

  “Audrey?” Logan’s smooth voice came through in her ear.

  “Logan? Oh, I’m so sorry. I called the last number, thinking—oh, never mind. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. Have a great day!�
��

  “Okay. You too.”

  She ended the call and drove away, never having been more embarrassed in all her life.

  A few minutes later, she pulled into the parking garage of her building. Once inside her almost-bare studio apartment, she kicked the door closed and slunk onto the futon which doubled as her couch and bed.

  Logan wouldn’t be calling her anytime soon.

  Maybe that was just as well. She didn’t need a marriage to escape her past.

  She just needed an escape.

  And she had that much. Enchantment Bay was the perfect little town. That summer she’d spent here had been the two best months of her life. It had been her only vacation growing up, and she had been lucky the foster family had been willing to take her. None of the others had ever invited her on their trips.

  Audrey’s phone played a musical tone indicating she had a new text.

  Could it be Logan?

  She jumped up and rummaged through her purse until she found her cell phone at the bottom, underneath her makeup bag.

  No, it wasn’t Logan. She should’ve known better.

  Unfortunately, she recognized the number, though the sender wasn’t in her contact list. Not on this new phone.

  Audrey’s stomach lurched, but she clicked to read the text even though she knew she’d regret it. And she did. Immediately.

  You didn’t think I’d find you, did you Audrey?

  She stared at the screen, unable to blink or breathe.

  Bryson had found her number. He hadn’t found her.

  Or had he?

  Three

  Logan closed his eyes and leaned back on the beach towel. The hot summer sun relaxed him, along with the sounds of the waves in the background. “This is the life.”

  “Sure is.” Shale, Logan’s youngest brother, turned on some music. “Nothing like summer at the beach.”

  “Now I remember why I used to love coming here when we were kids.”

  The two brothers relaxed in silence for a while. Logan felt himself drift toward sleep, and he was more than happy to. This was his vacation, after all.