I folded my arms across my chest. “We’re not that mean.”
“True.” Wickham considered, then he scooted his chair closer to me, and as softly as a butterfly, brushed my cheek with the back of his fingertips. “But Bennet girls can hold their own.”
My stomach fluttered. For a moment, I wondered if this was simply a perfect dream.
“So, what’s our plan here? We’ve made it out of town, which should protect my family and keep us alive. But what do we do now?” For the moment, it felt like we had a lot of time on our hands with nothing much to do.
Wickham’s eyes grew doubtful. “We’ve got a lot to think about. Obviously, we can’t stay here forever, but we shouldn’t hurry back either.”
“One thing we can do is to avoid being murder victims at all costs.” I ran my fingers through his hair and down his back.
His smile dropped, and his eyes grew distant, and I struggled to read the expression on his face.
“Avoiding death is certainly the highest priority for everyone involved,” he said. “I definitely want to keep you safe.”
Naturally, his response made me warm and tingly. But the teeny-tiniest flash of doubt zipped through my mind. If, for some reason, he really had orchestrated Alex's death very quickly while he ran to get our hot cocoa, he certainly had the perfect alibi and witness set up ahead of time. But the idea was ridiculous and disappeared from my mind as quickly as it had appeared.
Chapter 7
Wemeanderedbacktoour cabin, enjoying the crisp winter air and snow-covered trails. It was the perfect backdrop for falling in love with your soulmate. Though we were technically off the case, the details kept swirling through my mind. Why had Alex returned to the amphitheater on New Year’s Eve? What was the big deal about the Celtic ring? Who besides Wickham would have wanted him dead? Though I was pretty sure the band members were innocent, could one of them have had a hidden motive, and why did they try to set fire to the bakery?
Back in our little cabin, we prepared to test out the hot tub. I wore an aqua bathing suit—the cut was amazing—and a white wrap-around cover-up that tied around my waist. Wickham donned navy trunks and a matching swim shirt.
Before we stepped outside, Wickham’s phone rang. My heart rate picked up a little as he showed me who was calling and signaled for us to sit down on the leather sofa. It was Darcy, of all people, and I couldn’t fathom why he was calling Wickham. Whatever the reason, it was probably something serious. They weren’t exactly on speaking terms.
I heard only Wickham’s side of the conversation, but I got the gist of it.
We’re at a little resort, why do you ask?
Is that so? They don’t need to worry. We thought it would be fun, adventurous, you know...
It’s not like that. What do you mean?
Wickham looked at me with wide eyes. He cupped his hand over the receiver and whispered, “The gossip machine is rolling. Says we ran off because of my guilt.”
My heart rate picked up even more than before. That’s what it was like to live in a small town. Everyone knew everything and had an opinion about it. Even with the crackling fire, I felt a chill in the air and grabbed the throw on the side of the sofa to wrap around my body.
Darcy must’ve been speaking a lot, because Wickham quietly listened for some time. His face grew sterner asthe minutes progressed. I was dying to know what he was saying, but telling him to put the phone on speaker seemed presumptuous, even for me.
Now, Darcy. I don’t like what you’re implying.Wickham glanced at me, raising his shoulders.Well, it sounds like you're implying something. Of course, I’ve been honest with her. I...
He paused and looked at me, cheeks bright pink. Apparently even George Wickham could be deeply embarrassed.
I’m willing to do whatever’s necessary to avoid these issues, but I resent your accusations.
Darcy continued to speak, but I’d lost the meaning of the conversation.
Wickham spoke again.I understand. That’s rather generous of you.
He paused for more instructions.
No, I don’t object. It’s just that... well, are you sure that’s what I—we—should do? Let me talk to her about it. You’ll have my answer tomorrow.
He hung up, set down his phone, and sat without saying a word. After several moments passed,Wickham sighed heavily and spoke. “Did you hear anything Darcy was saying?”
“No, what was that all about?” Part of me didn’t want to know. Obviously, word about our little rendezvous had spread through the entire town.
“No matter where I go, my shadow still follows me. Even here with you.” Wickham walked across the room, picked up a log and added it to the fire. He leaned over it, looking wearier than a man his age deserved to be.
