Page 34 of The Last Love Song
He didn’t bother confirming what she already knew. As much as he wanted to offer comfort, he knew that touching her now would only complicate things. The last thing he wanted was to drive a wedge between them forever.
“Sam got the books and we went over them last night. I started running a program to analyze the brief bits of digital data we have on file.”
“That’s why you didn’t sleep. You were trying to figure out where the missing money went.” She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear, watching him intently, her meal forgotten. “Any luck? A bookkeeping oversight?”
“No. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.” He traced the condensation on the outside of his water glass while he considered how to tell her. “I’m going to have to call for an official investigation.”
Heather tried toprocess the words, willing herself to stay calm, even if worry simmered beneath the surface.
“I don’t understand.” She cleared her throat, her voice not quite there. “That’s a good thing, right? You need to figure out what happened.”
She hugged herself, feeling a sudden chill.
“Of course.”
“Are you concerned that one of your council members stole town money?” She knew that Zach felt as if the mayor role took up a great deal of his time. Since he’d found out this news, he must be regretting his decision to step into office even more.
“I’m concerned about missing money, yes.” He met her gaze straight on, shifting in his seat. “I’m also concerned about a cover-up, a scandal and the possible taint to the mayor’s office.”
She knew small-town politics could be ugly, but she hoped he was worrying too much.
“Seriously? But you aren’t responsible for this—” She stopped, all at once understanding what he’d been telling her tonight, and it chilled her to the core. “You thinkmy fatherhad something to do with the missing money?”
Anger surged through her. Just what the hell was Zach saying?
“I would never jump to conclusions.”
“He ran this town for a decade,” she reminded him, her heart beating faster. “He revived Heartache during a recession and brought back the harvest festival. Finley Building Supply donated all the lumber in the stands and stalls in the fairgrounds?—”
“I know that.” He tried to lay a hand on hers, but she edged back, curling her fists in her lap, still in disbelief that he’d invited her over for dinner only to accuse her father of corruption.
She’d been envisioning hot kisses. Maybe a little more than that. And all the time, he’d been planning what? A political sneak attack?
“No. You don’t. Because if you had any idea how much my father sacrificed for this town…” She didn’t want to finish that thought. She stood, too shaky and upset to sit still. “I can’t believe you would accuse him of something like this.”
“You must be aware that I haven’t made any accusations whatsoever.” He remained in his seat, one strong hand slowly mutilating a linen napkin. “I hoped my research last night would pinpoint a discrepancy in the books so an investigation wouldn’t be necessary, but it didn’t, and I can’t sit on the knowledge any longer. Sam is not pleased that I asked him to wait until tomorrow to announce it so I could speak to you privately.”
Heather stalked into the big kitchen where she’d so recently had had fun making dinner with Zach. How could she have come here with ridiculous romantic notions when he’d been planning to drop this bombshell? A bombshell that would destroy all her plans.
“I can’t believe you didn’t say something earlier.” How would she break this news to her mother? She paced, her shoes slapping a fast beat on the hardwood floor.
She didn’t know how much money was missing, but in a small town like Heartache, it wouldn’t take much to upset the local residents. And rightfully so. Yet, she hated the thought that her father could be implicated when he couldn’t even defend himself.
Zach spread his hands. “When could I tell you? At the wedding breakfast, when your family was hosting the most important Finley event of the year? Or this morning at the fishing tournament, when I was on the clock performing my duties as mayor?”
“How about before?” She remembered talking to him on the phone. Hell, he could have called her with this news so she would have had more time to think up a strategy for her family’s formal response. “Or how aboutafterthe tournament? You could have talked to me then instead of letting me kiss you.” She paced faster, but damn it, she couldn’t outrun the truth that he’d betrayed her. “No wonder you didn’t want to…take things further.”
Zach rose. One second he was seated and the next he stood in her path.
She’d been in those arms just a few hours ago, her fingers twining through his hair to bring him closer. Even now, the awareness was un-freaking-deniable. Only now she knew better. There would be no more out-of-control kisses tonight. No more risk-taking with him.
“Heather. Please.” He grasped her shoulders in his hands, his touch confusing things. “I wanted to fix it myself so it wouldn’t come to this. I was tired this morning and not thinking clearly. I’m still tired and not thinking clearly. But I promise you, the only thing holding me back this afternoon was the knowledge that I had to tell you about this first.”
She eased out of his reach, not wanting to be swayed by the distraction of his strong hands.
“Fine. You should have told me sooner, but at least I know now.” She searched the kitchen for her handbag and found it sitting on the counter. “I’ve got to get home and talk with my brothers. Figure out what to do.” She’d probably have to interrupt Erin on her honeymoon, too. And she hated that. “I think I’d like a ride home. Please.”
He stared at her in the warm light of the kitchen, his crisp gray button-down as perfect as the rest of him. Too bad that polished exterior had deceived her. Or, at the very least, misled her.
