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I’d leave it at that, but the weight of the past is on my shoulders, and the unspoken words hanging between us need to be said.
“I owe you an apology, Gwen. You were right all along about Lars. Dad couldn’t see past the facts, and I couldn’t see past what had gone before. But you never gave up. You knew he was murdered, and I’m glad we were finally able to call it what it was and find his killer.”
“We have closure,” she says quietly before squinting at me. “Perhaps magic does bring justice?”
“More like criminals always return to the scene of the crime.”
“Maybe it’s a bit of both.” Edna walks up to join us. “Have you seen my granddaughter today, Sheriff?”
“I was actually going to ask you the same thing. Is she taking the day off?” I wouldn’t blame her if she did, although I’ll be disappointed not to see her.
“She’s at her apartment. I saw her when I left,” Gwen says.
Edna arches an eyebrow at me. “I think you might want to check on her. She told me something about her work here being done, and I couldn’t seem to change her mind.”
I’m on my feet at once, heading to the door. “I’ll have a talk with her.”
“Take your time,” Edna calls. “Take as long as you need—all day if necessary!”
Passing through the door, I hear her say to Gwen, “I picked the wrong brother.”
* * *
Britt is standingin the small foyer guiding the beach cruiser to the door when I enter her building. Her hair is down, and she’s wearing the light blue dress she had on the day of the fair. Energy tightens in my chest when I remember her on my lap on the Ferris wheel, the unfinished business between us.
“Aiden…” She blinks up at me when I step through the door.
“What are you doing with that?” I nod to the bike.
“Returning it to your mom. I don’t need it anymore.”
Standing between her and the door, I put my hand on the handlebars to stop her. “Why not?”
Her chin lowers, and her eyes drift to my hand. “I’m going back to Greenville.”
“Like hell you are.” My impulsive response is out before I can stop it.
Her pink tongue slips out to wet her bottom lip, and I’m this close to catching her face and kissing the idea right out of her pretty head.
Putting her hand on her hip, she looks up at me. “The case is closed, Sheriff. We found our bad guy. It’s the reason Gran asked me to come here, and now it’s done.”
“We have more cases. We still don’t know who’s putting those signs all over town.”
Her slim brow furrows, and her arm drops. She shakes her head. “I can’t stay here. You’re… I…”
Releasing the bike, I step closer to where she’s struggling with her reasons. Placing my thumb under her chin, I make her look at me. “What about you and me?”
Her pretty eyes blink fast, and her words come out in a rush. “I can’t work with you anymore with the way I feel. I can’t see you everyday, knowing that I can never…” She exhales heavily. “You’re a good man, Aiden. You’re strong and good, and you deserve someone who won’t hurt you. You deserve someone who knows who she is and isn’t susceptible to her family’s pressure.”
She’s so fucking adorable, and the emotions burning in my chest make it almost impossible not to smile, not to pull her into my arms. “I haven’t met anyone who isn’t susceptible to a certain amount of family pressure.”
“Yes, but my family in particular.” She shakes her head. “They’re—”
“Not what I thought they were.”
Her nose wrinkles, and she looks up at me again. “What are you saying?”
“Are you planning to hurt me again?”
