Page 28 of The Summer that Changed Everything

“It’s what everyone’s saying.” He spread his hands. “Never mind that McBride’s DNA was found under Tony Matteo’s fingernails.”

It was starting—the same old bullshit and misinformation, if not downright lies. Ford felt his muscles tighten but nudged a small pebble lose with his bare toe. “I can’t imagine she’d contest that.”

“And yet she is. You remember Reggie Burton—the guy who was McBride’s cellmate right after he was arrested and ended up testifying against him?”

“Of course. He was a big part of the trial.”

“Well, he says she came over to his place and was harassing him, insisting he was lying on the stand and that’s why her father went to prison.”

Ford started to laugh.

“What?” Chet said, looking confused.

“Have you seen Reggie?”

Chet seemed surprised by this turn in the conversation. “Here and there.”

“I haven’t. Not in person. But just going from what I saw on Instagram last night—all the pictures he’s posted—he has to be almost as tall as I am and at least fifty pounds heavier.”

“So?”

“Do you remember Lucy? My guess is she weighs one hundred fifteen pounds soaking wet. So, if you were Reggie, would you be afraid of her?”

“Maybe,” Chet responded with an uncomfortable laugh. “I mean we know she’s vengeful, or she wouldn’t have put her father up to murdering Aurora.”

Ford shook his head, adamant. “Stop!”

Chet shoved his hands in the pockets of his loose-fitting khakis, which were rolled up at the ankles. “Stop what?”

“Saying she had anything to do with it is just... ridiculous!”

“Only if you don’t want to believe it.”

“Let’s wait until she does something to indicate she’snota good person before we close ranks against her this time, huh?”

Apparently, the irritation Ford was feeling had come out in his voice, because Chet took a step back. “That’s fine—as long as she doesn’t get too close to me or my family.”

Ford scowled. This was the kind of reaction that’d caused everyone to treat Lucy so poorly before. “Chet, I don’t think she’s a risk to you or anyone else, except maybe Reggie, and only because she’s out to expose him. If he was lying about her father’s jailhouse confession, he might have something to worry about. But that’s it. She doesn’t think her father’s innocent of the Matteo murders—only Aurora’s.”

Chet’s eyes widened. “How do you know what she’s thinking? And, for that matter, what she looks like these days? Have you talked to her, after all?”

“Yes,” he admitted. “Last night.”

“Why didn’t you say so?”

Ford made an impatient gesture. “I want to stay out of it. That’s why.”

“Then... why don’t you?” he asked.

“Because what happened to her fifteen years ago was bullshit, and I won’t let it go that way again!” he snapped and strode off.

Ford slammed the door behind him as he returned to the house. Apparently, he wasn’t going to take his own advice. He’d decided to stay out of Lucy’s business—she’d made it clear she didn’t want him in it—and yet he’d just taken a stand with Chet that put him solidly on her side.

But he was theonlyone on her side and that was what had forced his hand. The fact that he hadn’t stood up for her fifteen years ago made him cringe every time he thought about it. He was determinedneverto make that mistake again—neverto feel as though he should’ve stopped someone from being mistreated or bullied and hadn’t done it. He didn’t want to be the kind of man that would make him. So... whether she wanted his help or not, he was now her official protector.

As if fate had set out to remind him that he should be paying more attention to his own problems, he found an email from his divorce attorney waiting for him as soon as he opened his laptop.

Christina’s lawyer has sent me another certified letter. She’s raised her demands yet again. She’s claiming the pregnancy is already a “difficult” one, which will make it impossible for her to work. Do you want to raise your offer?

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