Noah threw out his arm to stop her, but she slipped under it, grabbing at her father’s shirt. The men wrestled upright, exchanging blows and ignoring Elisa’s feeble attempts to break them up.
“Elisa!” Noah reached to yank her back just as she wedged between the two men, straight into the thick of it.
Straight into the danger.
“Stop!” Noah lunged into the fray and caught a fist on the chin—from whom, he wasn’t sure. He reeled backward, straight into Elisa, who went sprawling to the ground. He stumbled over her leg and went down hard next to her.
But the sound of a solid fist connecting with flesh demanded his attention more than the throbbing on his face. He regained his balance and leapt to his feet in time to see blood pour from Russell’s nose. All pretense and arrogance was long gone from his face. He swiped at his jaw, then turned and spit blood. “You’re going to regret that, Bergeron.”
“You killed my sister.” Isaac’s tone could have chiseled steel. “I’m not going to regret anything.”
“What?” Noah’s head jerked toward his father, who kept his eyes on Isaac. “What is he talking about?”
“Dad, let’s just go. I’ll go with you.” Silent tears tracked Elisa’s cheeks and her voice wobbled. “Come on.”
“What did he mean?” Noah directed the question to Elisa now, but she could only shake her head. His own head spun, and not only from the blow to his chin. He knew her aunt had passed away, but had no idea when or how.
Apparently those details mattered.
“You never told your son what you did to Rhonda? Figures.” Isaac’s eyes were wild as he paced in front of Russell like a caged tiger. “Go ahead. Tell him. Tell him how you lured my sister into an affair, then dumped her before she even had time to get her head on straight.”
“It takes two to tango, and you know it.” Russell growled, wiping his nose again. “I’ve sure made some mistakes in my life, but I didn’t kill anyone.”
“She called me.” Isaac was yelling now, either oblivious or not caring that they weren’t alone on the field. “Rhonda called me. That night, on her way home from where you had invited her over just to use her and send her packing. She was beside herself with guilt.”
Russell scoffed. “I’d finally come to my senses and called it off. Not my fault she couldn’t see the wisdom in that.”
“Itwasyour fault you let her leave that way.” Isaac’s voice rang with years of pain. “You’d both been drinking and she’d been crying hysterically for half an hour, at least. How dare you let her drive?”
Noah stared at his dad. He was responsible for Rhonda’s death?
“That was fifteen years ago!” Russell raised his voice to match Isaac’s. “Are you really trying to have this out now?”
“We would have sooner if you hadn’t run away. Like a coward.” Isaac’s eyes filled with disgust. “But yes, you’re right. This ends now.” He jumped at Russell with another wild swing.
“No!” Elisa’s cry blended with a sudden shrill whistle that rent the air. Sheriff Rubart and the same dark-haired deputy that had been at the courthouse burst through the field gate toward them. “Both of you, hands where I can see them! Now!”
Sheriff Rubart wasn’t playing. Noah had never heard that tone before, and he hoped he never would again.
Noah took several steps away from Isaac and Russell, reeling. Processing. Had Elisa known about Rhonda? Of his dad’s involvement? Wouldn’t she have told him? But how could she have not known how her aunt died…He searched her face. Her expression reflected tears. No confusion. No shock.
She’d known.
His stomach felt squeezed into a vise. The past was replaying itself in vivid color. Blindsided with news about their families at the worst possible moment. Elisa, crying. Isaac, in a rage.
He refused to let this end the same way again.
Noah reached for her. “Elisa, we need?—”
“I said both of you.” Sheriff Rubart pointed at him, one hand resting on the gun holstered at his side. His eyes shot fire. “Right now.”
“Me?” Shock flashed through Noah’s veins and he automatically lifted his hands. “I thought you meant them. I didn’t do anything.”
“I don’t want to hear it. It’s clear what’s happening here.” He gestured between Noah and Russell. “You’re both under arrest.”
“What?” Russell sputtered. “This man attacked me! I was just standing here.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Sheriff grabbed his cuffs. “Hands behind your back, Hebert. I’ve got you both for disturbing the peace and assault.”
