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To his credit, Santiago hadn’t left without saying goodbye. He’d stopped by her office about a week ago to give her an update on Ace’s case.
“I spoke with Ace again,” he’d said, settling into the chair across from her desk. “He didn’t have anything new to share with me.”
“That’s a bit of a relief.” Ainsley herself hadn’t had a chance to connect with Ace since arriving home. She’d been focused on catching up at work and finding new ways to distract herself from missing Santiago. It was good to know her brother hadn’t gotten into more trouble in her absence.
“I’m speaking with the cleaning lady in an hour, and Ace is going to send me the security camera footage from his condo. Hopefully I’ll be able to find something useful.”
“So this is goodbye?” Her heart had started to pound, emotions swirling in her chest as she’d fought to keep her expression neutral. Don’t cry, she’d told herself. The last thing she wanted was for Santiago to know how much she wished things could be different between them.
“For now,” he’d replied easily. “I’ll be in and out of Mustang Valley as I work on the case. I hope you won’t mind if I stop by?”
“Of course not,” she’d said. As long as he gave her advance warning, she’d be able to control her emotions when she saw him again.
His expression had changed then, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “That was a hell of a ride, wasn’t it?”
She’d nodded, a strange sense of nostalgia growing as she recalled the events of the past week. She wouldn’t miss the retreat or the people there. But Santiago? She’d miss their time together very much. Once again, he’d upended her life and she was going to have to figure out a new way of moving forward without him.
“I can’t tell you how much your help means to me. I couldn’t have done this without you, and I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you did for me.”
“It was no problem,” she’d lied. “I’m just glad the Woodses are behind bars and the innocent people they hurt now know the truth.”
“Because of you,” he’d said.
“Because of us,” she’d corrected.
He’d watched her silently for a moment. Ainsley had known by the look in his eyes and the set of his mouth that there was more he’d wanted to say. She’d sat across from him, mentally urging him to speak, hoping he’d confess to a change of heart. They were perfect together—the retreat had proven the years apart hadn’t broken their bond. Why couldn’t he see that? Why wasn’t he willing to take a chance with her? Didn’t he think she was worth it?
Whatever he’d been thinking, he hadn’t shared it with her. He’d gotten to his feet and she’d done the same, walking him to the door of her office. They paused to say goodbye, and then he’d dropped his head.
Ainsley’s heart had jumped into her throat. Was he going to kiss her? She’d sucked in a breath, anticipating the feel of his mouth against hers.
But his lips had landed on her forehead. A chaste gesture of affection, the kind a brother might offer to his sister. Not the kiss of lovers.
She’d waited until she was certain he’d left. Then she’d returned to her chair and quietly cried.
He hadn’t called since that final visit. And while she still missed him, still ached to be near him, it was for the best. If they stayed in regular contact, it would only prolong her heartbreak. Better to rip the bandage off now and start healing than to draw out the inevitable.
So Ainsley had returned to her work and the family drama, trying to sort through all the issues surrounding the mystery of who had shot her father and where her biological brother actually was. At least Payne’s condition was stable. She didn’t think she could handle any more stress at this point.
Which was why she’d taken up meditation again. It wasn’t a foolproof strategy, but it was better than nothing.
In, one, two, three. Out, one, two, three.
“Ms. Colton?”
Ainsley opened her eyes and pressed the button on the intercom sitting on her desk. “Yes?”
“They’re ready for you.”
“Thank you.”
After a final set of counts, Ainsley closed the meditation app on her phone and got to her feet. She smoothed a hand down her blouse, then picked up a file folder and headed for the door.
The conference room was adjacent to her office, a small space that was furnished more like a living room than a meeting location. Two sofas bracketed a low coffee table, and a set of chairs at the far end of the space provided additional seating. There was a narrow table along the wall closest to the door, a variety of bottled waters, teas and sodas arranged on its surface.
Ainsley walked in and smiled at the scene. Most of her siblings were there; she’d called a family meeting of sorts, wanting to give everyone an update on the investigation into Payne’s shooting and Ace’s history.
Marlowe noticed her first and jumped to her feet. “Ainsley! Oh my goodness—how are you? I heard about the marriage retreat. What on earth were you doing there?”
