"Hearts in the Shadow of the Storm"

Summer again. Muggy, sticky, like every damn summer in the Outer Banks. But this time there was something different. Maybe it was the smell of gasoline mixed with sea salt, maybe it was Haillie's gaze—sharp as a razor, yet soft as moss underfoot. JJ Maybank was sitting on the hood of his pickup, sipping a warm beer, when she pulled up.

"Where have you been, dream thief?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.Haillie, his girlfriend of four years—the only person who could drive him crazy and make him want to marry her in the same instant—jumped off her horse, a jewel-colored gelding named Whiskey. Today she rode bareback, just a bridle and leg warmers.

"Your horse stinks worse than you after Kie's party." He smiled, but his eyes twinkled. He missed him.

"Shut up, Whiskey has more class than you in your best suit," she snorted, approaching and kissing him briefly.

Before JJ could respond, Pope jumped out of the bush, panting as if the whole damn police were chasing him.

"Hey, you'll never guess what happened," he said, catching his breath. "I found the kid. He was in an abandoned boathouse by the old pier." He was skinny as a stick, with eyes like a hunted dog's. And he had handcuffs on him. A fucking kid. Maybe eight years old.

Silence fell. JJ and Haillie looked at each other. Those eyes... something tightened inside Haillie.

"Traders?" she asked quietly.