Page 134 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

Dakota nodded, clapped me on the shoulder, then followed the sheriff back into the station.

When the door closed behind them, the room went silent again. My gaze went back to Willa, where she still sat frozen.

“Willa.” I took a step forward, ready to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness. But before I could, she shot out of her chair and ran across the room.

She flung herself into my arms and the weight of a thousand worlds fell off my shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. I hugged her tight, burying my face in her hair and breathing it in deep.

“You didn’t do it, so don’t apologize.”

“I didn’t do it.”

Her arms around my neck got tighter. “I know.”

She knows. Without any kind of explanation, she knew. She had that kind of faith in me.

“I love you.”

She leaned back, her blue eyes full of tears. “I love you too.”

I pulled her back in, wishing we were alone. There was so much I had to explain and I wanted some time for the two of us to just talk things out. But that wasn’t going to happen. First, I had to tell my little brother that our mother was never coming back for him because she was dead.

“Meet up at the bar,” Hazel declared as she collected her coat and purse. “We’ll talk there.”

I let Willa go and took Hazel’s hand. “I need to talk to Ryder.”

“It can wait.” She gave me the look I didn’t argue with. “He’s fine. He’s with Betty at home, probably doing homework. And I want to know what’s going on. Now.”

“Okay.” I sighed. “I need to get my things. I’ll be right behind you.”

As I went to the deputy at the desk to collect Willa’s car keys and my coat, everyone else hurried to leave. When I turned back around, the lobby was empty except for Willa, who stood by the door, waiting.

I took her hand as we walked outside, leading her right to my truck. “I didn’t get your car cleaned.”

She gave me a small smile. “You can do it later.”

“I will.” That was, if I wasn’t in prison. It all depended on what Sheriff Magee could dig up to prove my innocence.

Or whatever I could dig up to save myself.

“You drive.” She handed me my keys, then stood on her tiptoes to give me a quick kiss before going to the passenger door.

We got in and went directly to the bar, parking next to her car before going inside.

When we walked through the door, Hazel was already pouring Thea a glass of water and Logan a shot of whiskey. She held up the bottle, silently asking if I wanted a drink, but I shook my head.

Until this was all over, I wanted a clear head.

“Willa?”

“Just water for me.” She shrugged off her coat and took a chair at the table in the middle of the room where Thea and Logan were sitting.

“Jackson, lock the door,” Hazel ordered. “We’re closed for the rest of the day, and I don’t want any distractions.”

I nodded and turned back around, locking the door. Then I snagged an extra chair and slid it next to Willa’s.

“Okay. Start at the top,” Hazel said after she’d brought over drinks and we’d all sat down.