Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 187

Camila Davis gave a calm nod of thanks. “Thank you, Mr. Williams.”

Dennis Williams returned the gesture with a slight nod, then turned to Aaron. “Go ahead and pack up the first aid kit.”

While Aaron tidied up, Camila settled back into her beach chair, content to rest for a moment. Lillian, reassured that her mom was fine, scampered back to the shoreline, excitedly digging for seashells. Dennis trailed after her, keeping a watchful eye, and eventually ended up teaching their golden retriever, Lightning, how to paddle in the gentle surf.

Before they knew it, the sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of pink and gold. The tide was creeping up the sand, and the evening air had a crisp edge to it.

Dennis glanced at the water and called to Lillian, “Alright, peanut, time to head in. It’s getting chilly, and we don’t want you catching a cold.”

Just as they were gathering their things, something odd caught Dennis’s sharp gaze—a strange flash of light in the distance, just beyond the dunes. His eyes narrowed, instantly alert.

Aaron, never far from his boss, immediately noticed the shift in Dennis’s demeanor. “Something up, Mr. Williams?”

Dennis’s tone was clipped and icy. “Go check it out.”

Aaron nodded and jogged off without another word.

About ten minutes later, a commotion broke out not far from their spot. Aaron and one of the bodyguards dragged a man out from behind a thick oak tree, pinning him to the ground as he struggled helplessly.

“Who the hell are you?” Aaron barked. “You know this is a private beach, right? No trespassing. And what’s with the camera? You spying on someone?”

Aaron paused, thrown off by the names. Mr. Smith? Mrs. Smith? Was that supposed to mean Camila Davis? Why would someone want proof of an affair here?

Still suspicious, Aaron pressed on. “What’s your name? Who do you work for? Got any proof you’re telling the truth?”

The poor detective, pinned to the ground and sweating bullets, spilled everything—his ID, his agency, even handed over his cell phone. Aaron scrolled through the messages and photos and, sure enough, found exactly what the man had described. He really had been hired to catch Camila in the act, not to spy on Dennis for some nefarious reason.

Unfortunately, the detective had already sent some blurry photos from earlier that afternoon to Jordan Smith. Even though the faces weren’t totally clear, one of the people in the photos was unmistakably Mr. Williams.

Aaron couldn’t help but sigh. Honestly, of all the things he’d had to deal with, this was one of the dumbest—some bumbling PI, jumping to the worst conclusions and nearly causing an international incident.