Page 214 of Keep This Promise
Zach nods. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure where she went.”
There’s an edge to his deep voice that’s protective and firm, and my heart begins to race. I haven’t seen Zach since he dropped me off down the road from Run to Me, and Jackson mentioned that he’d gone home, so I’m not sure why he’s back in town. That aside, he wouldn’t have shown himself if he didn’t believe I was in danger.
“Do you know this man?” Stephen asks, shifting to catch my gaze.
“Yes,” I say, getting to my feet and looping my arm in Zach’s. I’m not sure what role we’re meant to play, but either way, this is friendly. “This is my good friend.”
Zach’s frame seems to grow. He’s definitely not giving Stephen an inch. “As I said, I appreciate you keeping her safe.”
Really, what the hell is going on? Is Stephen a threat? Surely not. He was perfectly kind and is a paramedic for heaven’s sake.
“Of course. Be careful, Sophie.”
I watch in silence as Stephen heads back to the ambulance. He raises a hand after he’s seated, and I return the gesture. As soon as the vehicle is out of sight, I drop my hand and step back. “What is going on? Why are you here and not Miles? When did you get back?”
“I just got in two days ago, we had to pull my replacement back, and I wanted to check on you and Eden anyway.”
“She’s sick,” I tell him.
“I know, but she has you and Holden to care for her.”
Neither Holden nor I are capable of making mature decisions right now. “Why did you interrupt that conversation?” I ask him, not wanting to discuss Holden.
Zach runs his hand over his beard. “What did he say?”
“Nothing . . . why?”
“I’m just curious. There are some things about his past I don’t like.”
“Zach, what is going on? Is Stephen dangerous? Is that why you showed yourself?” I ask, feeling a panic building.
He takes my hand and urges me to take a seat on the bench with him. “Sit, and I’ll explain.”
He tells me about Blakely’s suspicion and how certain things weren’t lining up with Stephen and his story. She was positive that he was involved in some way with the deaths of the missing girls. Zach looked deeper into Stephen’s alibi and found two dates that didn’t match up.
“Well, he didn’t say anything strange.”
“He offered to come to your home and help with Eden. As soon as I heard that, I moved in. We have no idea if this guy was involved, but the person who was arrested is Stephen’s best friend, so I’m not willing to take chances.”
I don’t want to defend Stephen, as I don’t know him at all, but the same can be said for me. “And I was married to a man who was clearly involved in things he shouldn’t have been. I knew nothing of Theo’s investments or his work, so it might be a bit unfair to assume that Stephen was involved with whatever his friend was doing simply because they were friends.”
“I know, and it sucks, but my job is to keep you safe.”
“And I appreciate that, but am I not allowed to talk to anyone? Who do I trust? It’s clear that Holden and his friends are fine, but are there others I should be wary of?” I ask, needing some guidance.
“Just be careful with Stephen, that’s all.”
“Be careful,” I say in exasperation. “I am careful of everything, and look where I am now. In America, with no money, no family, a daughter who is sick, a man who kisses me and then I sleep with him on the sofa in his office like a fool. I have lived my entire life being careful not to upset my mother or my father or get Theo overwrought and send him into heart failure. I can’t . . . fucking hell, I just said.” I just said I slept with Holden on the sofa.
Dear Lord, Sophie, can you not keep anything to yourself?
Zach grins. “So that’s why you were on the other wing for a while . . .”
“Don’t you dare judge me,” I warn.
Zach and I spent almost a full day in the car together as we made our way from Idaho to Rose Canyon. I was not in my right mind and beyond exhausted. I chattered away like a magpie for hours until I wore myself out and fell asleep, which probably was the best part of his drive—my silence.
“No judgment here. I have no room to talk. I have a failed marriage under my belt, a kid I didn’t know about until he was an adult, and a girlfriend who also happens to be said son’s ex-girlfriend.”
