“I was in the lighthouse. It was fine. Barely touched by the fire.”
“I know. I checked it out, too. It’s odd. I didn’t see anything noticeably out of place.”Almost like there is a ghost. He wasn’t sure what he had expected to find, but besides smoke stains in the dusty interior, the building was at its same level of disheveled. If the structural integrity had been compromised, shouldn’t he have noticed? He wasn’t an engineer, but he wasn’t obtuse, either.
“While I was inside, I felt a chill and fell to the ground. Then the explosion came.”
“Explosion?” He widened his gaze. Shouldn’t a boom have shaken the Inn? Wouldn’t the glass rattle in the frames of every window following a detonation? “How long ago?”
“A few minutes before I texted.”
At that time, he had been inside the kitchen. The noisiest place on the whole property. He didn’t like that he hadn’t heard a loud pop. Or glass breaking. He’d been oblivious to a major catastrophe only yards away. He’d have to think about how to do better, so he was always aware. “So… what happened?”
“I don’t know. I think there is a ghost. But a friendly spirit who saved me. I made it out before the stones collapsed. Another blast came and knocked me into the water. Steve was going by on his boat and fished me out.”
“His boat?”
“Yeah. Not with tourists.” She stretched each word. “Like a personal boat. An old Supra.”
Her tone was unmistakable. But was Steve’s behavior suspicious? Christopher didn’t understand why the Prims continued to stall opening for the season. If their boats had problems, surely Steve was better off fixing up their fleet at the boathouse and not cruising around the lake near the Inn’s property in a personal vehicle. Something was off.
Right now, however, Christopher had to focus on what mattered. Her. Not the Prims. “How are you feeling? Did you hit your head?”
“No, I’m fine. Steve insisted, and he’s trying to get the police involved. He wants me to file a report. Against the Inn.”
If she did, she would have effective legal documentation against him. She might even take the property back as damages. He’d accept it. First and foremost, he wanted her safe. “What do you want to do?”
“Get out of here before he comes back.”
She didn’t want to take action against me?He wouldn’t push her one way or the other. The opportunity to use the explosion to her advantage shouldn’t have risen to the top of his concerns. But it did. He realized he wouldn’t fight her if she pursued legal action. More than anything, he needed her healthy. “Are you sure you can?”
“Yes. Can you guard the door? I’m going to change. The doctor said I could leave. He told me once Steve left, but I didn’t have a ride. I’d like to be gone before Steve returns with a cop.”
So, you just needed a lift?She popped him like an overinflated inner tube. He was glad she wasn’t hurt. But he’d wanted to be something more than a ride. He wanted to be a husband.
He turned and strode toward the door, shutting it and leaning against it in the hallway, standing sentry. He’d never quite been a full partner to her, not in the meaningful ways he imagined. Did he fight for another chance? Or was it time to take flight and let her go and find someone who could make her happy in all the ways he couldn’t?
ChapterEleven
Ashley hadn’t worried about her appearance. In the chaos of falling into the lake fully clothed and being admitted to the hospital, she hadn’t cared. When she arrived, she had readily accepted the dry hospital gown. Getting out of her wet jeans and soaking bra was her top priority.
The back of the garment was open, so she had gotten under the warm covers. If she was being evaluated for a concussion, she might as well be as comfortable as possible. She could be here for a while.
When Christopher had entered the room, he had paled and quickly covered his mouth with a hand. She jumped off the bed, tossing the blanket in the process, ready to assist him in case he vomited or fainted. She almost asked who had died. She knew that answer. Her dad. And then, today, she’d been close to joining him.
Cool air fanned her through the open back.
His eyes widened at her outfit, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
She sobered in an instant and quickly explained the current predicament. She had to get out of there before Steve Prim raised the stakes.
Whatever happened, she wouldn’t ruin Christopher. Pulling her damp jeans over her legs was a process. While no longer soaking wet, the heavy denim stuck and clung. She didn’t manage much better with her T-shirt. Worst of all, however, was slipping into her canvas sneakers. She squished and squelched with each step. She wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a warm bed.
Had Christopher looked bereft because of me?Her heart skipped a beat. She wished.
Childhood best friends turned lovers wasn’t anything extraordinary. It had been dumb luck, as she would describe most of her kismet moments. The sweet, cute kid who always followed along with a plan grew into a caring, sexy man before her eyes. He could have fallen for anyone. He should. He’d be so much better off with someone who listened twice as much as she talked.
The first time he’d kissed her, he had needed a little push. She’d flung herself into his arms. She had been desperate to press against him, to feel his lips on hers. The heady romance was buoyed in part by her father’s displeasure at it. But not solely. She loved Christopher because of who he was and the man he would become. She loved his past and present and longed to be his future.
That was over. He’d made his choice. And it wasn’t her.
