I rummaged around in the back of Ruby’s truck to find some cups so I could fix a couple of coffees. Handing one to Peyton, I tugged her over to sit down on a bench that was somehow still intact. “Drink this.”
“Thanks.”
She was numb, probably in shock. Usually she got fired up when things didn’t go her way, but this time she looked utterly defeated. I stood by while Ruby made some calls. Didn’t take long for Orville to show up with Sheriff Lawson right behind him.
As the two of them walked around the site, a big black SUV pulled up. Peyton bristled as she stood, then walked over to meet her dad, who got out from behind the wheel. I wasn’t eager to have a run-in with Mr. Winslow. There would be a time for that, but not now, while the woman I loved was in so much pain. I kept my distance, but stayed close enough that I could be by her side in seconds if she needed me.
“Sweetheart.” He held his arms open, but Peyton stopped short. “I came as soon as I heard.”
“What did you do, Dad?” Her voice was strong as steel.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Mr. Winslow looked around, his gaze catching on me. “What’s he doing here?”
Peyton followed his line of vision. “He’s here to help. Not like the contractor you recommended. Where’s Mr. Franklin right now? Any idea where he was last night when someone set fire to this place?”
Mr. Winslow shifted his gaze to his daughter. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Franklin. He’s always done goodwork for me in the past. Don’t you think it’s time to cut your losses on this project?”
I stood by in silence, trying to figure out what Peyton’s dad would have to gain from the festival being ruined. It didn’t make sense. He was a rancher. The festival grounds were miles away from the land he owned on the other side of town.
While I waited for their conversation to end, Ruby and Orville came over.
“The sheriff’s looking around, but he’s going to have a hard time pinning this on someone since there have been dozens of workers traipsing all over this site for the past couple of weeks.” Ruby folded her hands together. “It might be time to let this land go.”
“Let it go?” I hadn’t heard anyone talking about making changes to the fairgrounds.
Orville grimaced. “Folks have been talking about moving the fairgrounds closer to Silver Creek, so it’s in the middle of both communities, but you know how much we love tradition. The fair’s been happening here since the county seat was established. We’ve had a few offers on the land, but never considered selling.”
“Until now,” Ruby added.
“Any idea who’s behind those offers?” I asked.
“It’s a company out of Idaho. I’m not sure what they have in mind. The land’s not good for much.” Orville stepped closer to Ruby and put his arm around her waist. “We probably ought to get back to the Mercantile. I’ll look into things and see what I can find out.”
I shook hands with Orville and tolerated a hug from Ruby before they took off. Our conversation had left my brain spinning. Something wasn’t adding up, and I was willing to be Peyton’s dad had a hand in what was going on. The two of themstill stood by his giant SUV. Peyton’s arms were crossed over her chest while her dad gestured to the space around them.
Stepping closer so I could hear them, I pretended to look at what was left of the shed where Peyton and I had spent the night. There wasn’t anything salvageable except for a piece of the tarp we’d used as a blanket. I picked it up and ran my finger over the stiff canvas.
“He’s bad luck, sweetheart. Always has been and always will be.” Mr. Winslow reached out for his daughter, but she pulled back.
“He’s not the one who did this, Dad. He’s the one who’s trying to save it. You need to stop accusing innocent people of crimes they didn’t commit. I know what happened when Huck left town. It was your fault, wasn’t it? You blackmailed him into leaving.”
“Things aren’t always what they seem. When you’re ready to have a real conversation about this, you know where to find me.” He shot me a look that could have made another man wither, but I was done being intimidated by Harrison Winslow.
“Why don’t you go ahead and tell her?” I asked, taking a few steps forward.
His eyes narrowed but his lips curled into a patronizing smile. “Tell her what, exactly?”
The prick wasn’t going to be man enough to do it. Looked like it was up to me. “Tell her how you’ve had it out for my family since you and my dad fell for the same woman.”
Peyton’s gaze shifted back and forth between us while Mr. Winslow’s grin disappeared.
“What are you talking about?” Peyton wrapped her fingers around my arm and squeezed.
“Seems your dad and my mom dated way back when,” I told her. “But she broke up with him when she met my dad. Theyfell in love and got married, but your dad couldn’t handle losing. He’s been taking it out on my family ever since.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Mr. Winslow looked at me like I was a piece of shit. “It’s time to go, Peyton.”
Her grip on my arm loosened. My heart sank. She took a step forward.
