Page 47 of So Right
“Can you find out when the fire happened?” Kelsey asked.
“We can send the brick pieces out for testing. We should be able to get close.”
Crystal handed the piece of brick to Kelsey. “That would be great. We’ll definitely want to do that.”
Dana nodded. “Can do. The next thing we need to determine is whether this is eligible for the national historical registry. I need to obtain concurrence from the state historic preservation office that this is a nonsignificant site. I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
Luke turned toward her. “What if it is? Is someone going to want to come out here and dig up my vineyard?”
“It’s possible, but highly unlikely.”
Luke frowned, looking rather disgruntled. “Keep us posted, please.” He glanced around the group. “I need to take care of some things.” He took off down the slope.
Kelsey’s chest tightened as she watched him go. He seemed more than standoffish. She wanted to follow him but didn’t.
They finished up with Dana, who said she’d come back tomorrow and collect samples for testing. Cam walked her back to the parking lot so that Brooke, Kelsey, and Crystal could talk about what they’d found.
Crystal voiced what they were all thinking. “Do you think she died in the fire?”
Brooke’s eyes were sad. “I don’t want to think so.”
Kelsey didn’t want to either. For some reason, she had the sense that Dorinda’s story wasn’t a happy one. “I guess we’ll find out when Dana does the testing.”
“What was up with Luke?” Crystal asked. “Is he against this?”
“He’s against having his vineyard messed up,” Kelsey said. “And I get that. I think he’s just annoyed with me.”
Brooke stroked Kelsey’s arm. “It can’t be just that.”
“I did tell him I couldn’t have a relationship with him after we had an incredible date.” Kelsey massaged her forehead. “So yeah, I think it can be just that.”
Crystal came and stood on her other side. “Yikes, sorry. But I have to ask why you told him that. Just not feeling it?”
On the contrary. She’d been feeling all sorts of things, especially while they were kissing. She’d actually considered inviting him upstairs. But then she’d thought about what could happen after that. She’d thought about all she didn’t know about him. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him—she didn’t trust herself. What if she didn’t know how to choose a decent guy?
But Lukeisa decent guy,her mind argued.
The sting of her shame and pain weighed on her soul. “Actually, I had a great time with him. I like him a lot. I’m just…not ready.” They both looked at her, and she knew they wanted to ask why but also didn’t want to push. “You guys are really good friends,” she said, wiping at the sudden dampness that had leapt to her eyes.
Brooke’s hand moved to Kelsey’s upper back, and she rubbed little circles over her shoulder blades. “Oh, Kel, what’s wrong?”
“You know I used to date a guy, right?”
“Yeah, but that’s about it.”
It was such a long and horrible story. Well, the beginning wasn’t. The beginning had been a fairy tale. “His name was Noah, and he was my knight in shining armor. He swept me up and saved me from the toxic relationship between me and my mom. He was kind, considerate, and I knew he would slay every dragon to keep me safe. He was fierce and strong. And opinionated. And domineering. And demanding.” Her voice got smaller with each word.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to continue. “I was nineteen when he hit me for the first time. We lived in a tiny off-campus apartment, and he was upset because I was late coming home from a study group. He cried and begged me to forgive him. Of course I did. And it didn’t happen again for over a year. It’s just like what you read about—this horrific cycle of escalating abuse. I knew better. I just didn’t know how to make it stop. He loved me, and I loved him. Even after he broke the bottle over my head, requiring eleven stitches, and cracked my ribs, I didn’t want to leave. But I did. I cried when I made the report to the police, because I knew his life would be ruined.” It had taken months and months of therapy for her to accept that he’d ruined his life long before she’d made that call. And if she hadn’t, he would’ve ruined hers too.
Neither Crystal nor Brooke said a word as they crowded in against her and put their arms around her in a tight hug.
Kelsey’s eyes were surprisingly dry as she took in their comfort and warmth. After a long minute, they pulled apart, and Kelsey forced a weak smile. “Now you know why I’m a broken mess.”
Brooke dashed her hand over her eyes. “Sorry. I had no idea. I feel so bad that I didn’t know.”
Kelsey touched her arm. “Don’t, please. I didn’t want anyone to know. No one here knows. I think my boss at The Arch and Vine might’ve suspected something with the weird injuries I had sometimes, but Noah was really good at hitting me where it wouldn’t show. The times he fucked up were when he was really pissed—out of control.”
Crystal’s eyes hardened. “I want to kick this guy’s ass so bad.”
