“Oh, are you, once again, on your high horse trying to force us to your will?” Zach curled his upper lip. “You always know what’s best, right? You’re the ultimate boss. You rule your little subjects and act so gracious in letting us peasants stay on your property.”
“You’ve got some nerve. Everything I’ve done has been in the best interests of this town.” Christopher poked himself in the chest with his index finger. “I love this place. I’ve never tried to run or hide or lurk in the shadows. I’ve worked my whole life for this community. Can you say the same? As far as I can tell, you’ve always been out for yourself.”
Zach scowled.
Christopher turned toward Lonnie. “And what about you?”
The older man shook his head.
“No. Because both of you are out for your own good. Most people are. But some people actually care about their community and put in the work whether it is cheered or jeered,” Christopher said.
Clapping sounded.
Christopher spun.
Ashley stood behind him with Sheriff Hanks and a deputy, her hands raised as she applauded.
“Officers, please arrest these men,” Christopher said, holding her gaze and enjoying a split second of justice.
“For what?” Zach cried.
Christopher spun.
The officers approached the pair and handcuffed each man.
“For attempted murder and trespassing,” Christopher replied coolly.
“Attempted murder?” Zach turned ghostly white.
Good. He was scared. Christopher would have cheered if he didn’t long to slug the man. He didn’t want to get hauled in for assault. Instead, he clenched and unclenched the fists at his side. “What else do you call setting fire to the lighthouse while my wife was inside? Or the explosion that destroyed it the other day?”
“We didn’t do this.” Lonnie sputtered, tilting his head to the dilapidated lighthouse.
“That wasn’t us.” Zach darted his gaze between Ashley and Christopher. “Please, you’re my friend. I would never have hurt you.” He focused on Ashley.
Christopher’s blood pounded. Now he really wanted to slap the man. He gave a good show of fake shock. He should try out for the local community theater. If he was out of jail by then.
Christopher stood in front of Ashley, shielding her from the farce. He hadn’t done enough, but he could do this. He could protect her and get out of her way. “Evidence says otherwise. And you’re still trying to steal from the resort that has supported you and kept your families clothed and fed. How dare you. Get out of here.” He nodded at the officers, grabbed her hand, and strode away.
He needed a strong drink to clear his mind of every thought plaguing him. Because he’d come so close to losing her, and he hadn’t understood how deeply he’d been impacted until he had a chance to confront the perps. He didn’t want to go through with the divorce. But didn’t he owe her? He’d see her safely inside the hotel and spend the rest of the night torturing himself.
ChapterFifteen
Ashley grabbed a molasses cookie off the tray and bit into it while pacing his office. She couldn’t sit still, not even to attempt to eat. As it was, she barely tasted the rich, sugary cookie, the crackled top giving way to a perfectly soft center. She focused on the wrong things. The scrape of the granular sugar on her tongue and the too-strong aftertaste. She couldn’t look at the positives.
Like Christopher still wanted her. He couldn’t hide his reaction under close quarters. She might have convinced herself she was mistaken before, but not when she felt him pressed against her.
The reverse was true as well. He wouldn’t doubt her feelings any longer. Every attempt at playing coy had evaporated in the heated moment. And his fiery response to confronting the foes only solidified his feelings.
She was shaken at the depths of Zach’s hatred. Lonnie’s too. She’d always imagined herself safe with anyone in the community. Since she was a tiny girl, she had treated everyone like a member of her extended family. She fooled herself into believing the same of them.
Am I collateral damage to Zach in his plot against Christopher?Zach had the audacity to smile and greet her like a long-lost friend. All the while, he suppressed a white-hot anger against Christopher so explosive that he’d kill her without a second thought. She shuddered, stuffing the rest of the cookie into her mouth.
She wasn’t sure she could truly believe that of Zach. Lonnie maybe. But not Zach. Some other part of the whole affair troubled her. She wouldn’t give up on her ghost just because evidence and common sense told her otherwise. Neither could she continue down that path with her husband.
She needed action, a distraction, or anything other than listening to the next part of his plan. Because now they’d reached the real talk portion. And she couldn’t handle the truth.
The door in the corner opened, and he appeared.
