Dorrie laughed as the tension between them eased. “We were also investigating a case when Gus arrived. It got a bit out of hand, and he had to save Somer.”
“Cam told me about your business. Why do you do the investigating? It’s dangerous, as is evidenced by the fact you were there that night and saved me.”
She turned at his tone, but he focused on the sea. The muscles in his jaw bunched.
“You’re angry that I saved you?”
“I have no idea what you mean.” His eyes never moved, but that jaw did.
“Why did you not want to be saved?”
“You should not have been there; that is why I am angry.”
“Look at me, Ash.” She gripped his arm. He turned, and for the first time since she’d met him she saw the pain. Turmoil and pain, Dorrie thought. This man was hurting. “Why do you believe you were not worthy of me saving you?”
“What?”
“You heard the question. Why is your life not worthy of saving?”
“Dorset—”
“Tell me!” It was suddenly imperative that he answer her.
“Because I care nothing about my life. I care nothing about anyone or anything in it. There is little left for me in this world.” His words were spoken in that cool, calm way he had. As if he’d not just said he wanted death and in fact would not fight it when it called.
The shock held her silent. After all the things she and her family had been through, even when the unbearable pain from that arrow had ripped through her, she had chosen life.
“We do not all live the idyllic life you have,” he said, noting her shock.
“I was shot and died; do not speak to me about an idyllic life.”
“Clearly you didn’t die, as you sit here before me.”
Think before you speak, Dorrie, she reminded herself.
“You love your brother, and don’t try telling me otherwise. And Baron, he is someone you hold in your heart. You are worthy of living, if not for you for them!” The words exploded from Dorrie. “Worthy of love and a future. You are wrong if you believe otherwise.”
The shock was in his eyes this time. He’d not expected her words. He believed himself unworthy and felt she should too.
“And it is wrong of you to give up on life when there is so much good to be had in it. Wrong to walk away from what could be when it is before you. Your brother is a wonderful man, and he would be there for you, as would Somer, if you wanted it.”
“I do not want it!” That had his voice rising. “And I can have no life with anyone because there is danger for me.”
“My family will help you find and remove the danger.”
“No, that is for me to do and no one else.”
“But you came here to see Gus.”
“I came to tell my brother that my father betrayed us. He deserved to know that, and nothing more. I want nothing from him or the Raven family he is now nestled in.”
“That is your decision, of course, but I think you are wrong. I think there is a life waiting for you if you want it.”
He climbed to his feet. “Do not weave a fantasy for me, Miss Sinclair. I know what I am and what my life will be once I leave here.”
He walked away from her, and Dorrie thought that was a very good thing, as she had the urge to both slap and hold him at the same time.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
