“Can you prove to me you’re not?” The words don’t sound or feel right coming out of my mouth. It’s when I see the light leave her eyes that my heart skips a beat and my throat tightens.
Delaney stands, reaches into her bag, and pulls outanotherenvelope. It looks identical to the one she gave Cassandra, and to the one she walked out of my office with. She sets it on the bistro-style table in front of me, grabs her phone, and walks away—all without sparing me a glance.
From where I sit, I watch her walk all the way to her car, get in, and leave. That’s when my brain kicks into gear.
What if I’m wrong?
Chapter Fifty
Delaney
I’ve not allowed myself to shed a single tear. I will not. Not again. I’m running on adrenaline, and I know a crash is inevitable. It’s okay, though. Because of the angry energy, I’ve managed to pack my things, load my car, neaten the cabin, and write the two letters I hold in my shaking hand.
Acting stronger than I feel, I force my feet to move and walk into Aron Family Builders and Restoration. I approach the desk. Sally must be at lunch because Lenny is manning the reception area. I swallow hard.
“Hi, Lenny. I’ve got to take care of a few things, and I’ll not be back. Would you do me a favor and make sure Henry and Harrison get these?”
“Sure thing. I’ll see you later.”
I force a smile that I don’t feel, and I’m back in my car and headed to town within a minute or two. It takes only ten minutes to arrive at my destination, just a quarter mile away from the town square—Hart’s Haven. It’s Aron Falls’ only bed-and-breakfast, and it only has two guest rooms.
When I get inside, Louanne Hart, the proprietor, greets me. Louanne is a tiny woman. I’d estimate she’s just a touch over five feet tall. Her mass of beautiful white hair sits on top of her head in a messy bun, and it looks much better than any I could manage.
“Hi, I’m looking to book a room for tonight, maybe tomorrow as well.”
“Well, Delaney, you’ve come to the right place.” Louanne smiles, and it’s warm and comforting.
“Oh, you know my name already.” I reach into my bag and pull out my credit card.
“Of course I do, sweetheart. You’re part of Aron Falls now. I’m sure everyone knows it.” I say nothing, but I make myself smile at her.
Louanne reaches down and grips the arm of the eyeglasses hanging from the bejeweled chain around her neck. She slips them on, then looks at the monitor in front of her.
Without looking up from the screen, she says, “Okay, dear. I’ll book you for tonight and then tentatively for tomorrow.” As she glances at me, her smile fades. “Oh, my! Are you okay?”
I’m not. Nope. I’m exhausted and sad, and so fucking hurt.
“Yes.” My voice is squeaky, and I’m working hard to avoid a public meltdown.
She opens her mouth as if she’s going to say something, then closes it abruptly and nods.
“I’ll be back in just a few minutes. I want to make sure the room is ready. You can sit if you’d like, maybe have a cup of coffee.”
I take a seat on the floral chintz loveseat, lean my head back, close my eyes, and attemptnotto think. I don’t know how much time passes, but it’s at least fifteen minutes. I don’t care, and I don’t move. There’s nowhere I have to be.
Eventually, the bell on the door jingles, and I should open my eyes and acknowledge Louanne’s return, but I can’t muster up the energy right away. Instead, I decide to take a few more seconds to pretend I’m not sitting in a bed-and-breakfast, without a home, jobless, and heartbroken.
The cushions on the couch shift.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
It can’t be. I peel my eyes open and look to my right. Yep, it’s Ruthie in the flesh.
“What… How… What are you doing here?”
Ruthie shrugs. “I heard you were here looking for a room, and I figured maybe there’s some trouble in paradise.”
“So, you came here for the gossip?” Ew. That was harsh, and a brief flicker of hurt crosses over Ruthie’s face. Guilt consumes me.
