Page 66 of Sweet Home

I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.

The sound of footsteps crunching on the snow drew her attention, and she hoped it was someone else coming for the bus. That would mean she didn’t have much longer to wait.

But when she turned, it was West Lawrence who was striding toward her, a fierce expression on his handsome face.

“West?” she whispered, wondering if she had conjured him with her imagination.

“Thank God you’re still here,” the big man said, his voice rough with emotion.

Suddenly she was weeping, hot tears sliding down her icy cheeks.

“Don’t cry,” he murmured, pulling her close. “Please don’t cry.”

It felt so good to be wrapped in his arms, and she wondered again if she was dreaming.

“I’m s-so s-sorry,” she sobbed.

“Let’s get you warm,” he murmured into her hair. “Come on.”

He took her hand firmly, as if he were afraid that she was going to try and run away.

Dulcie let herself be led back down Moose Avenue. The lights of the shops around the park twinkled ahead of them and the snow seemed to be falling more gently now that West was here.

She stole a glance up at him, but his jaw was set, and she knew he wasn’t just glad to see her. He was angry, too.

By the time they got to his truck, she had caught her breath a little and resolved that she would tell him everything. Their friendship would probably end tonight, but at least they would both have closure.

West opened the passenger door and helped her up, before heading to the driver’s side. Once he was in, he turned on the truck. The engine rumbled to life and cold air poured out of the vents.

She pulled her jacket more closely around herself.

“It will warm up in a minute,” West told her, peeling off his coat and placing it over herlike a blanket, warming her with the body heat that still clung to the fabric…

Tears prickled her eyes again.

“Dulcie, why did you run?” he asked gently.

“I heard you on the phone,” she admitted.

He nodded slowly. The word was probably echoing in his mind too.

“Is it true?” he asked after a moment.

“Yes,” she said, looking down at her hands.

“And you stole the car?” he asked.

“I left it here for you,” she said, looking back up at him. “I knew you’d find it. But I’m really sorry that I scared you.”

“Not my truck,” he said. “I mean the car you came here in.”

“Who said that I stole it?” she asked.

“Joe Fournier got a call from the police,” West said. “They told him someone had reported that car stolen. Joe told them that he had no idea who it was, because the person who brought it in had left on the next bus out of town.”

“Why?” Dulcie asked, completely gobsmacked.

“Because helikesyou, Dulcie,” West said, sounding frustrated. “Everyone likes you. Why couldn’t you have told us what’s going on? We would have given you the benefit of the doubt. We would have helped you.”

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