Page 73 of Forbidden Secrets
“You and I were in the same boat there,” he said.“What I’m hearing is Bradford was in the area where the cars were parked and there’s a window where he’s unaccounted for when he could have siphoned gas from your tank.”
She carefully arranged her fork on her plate.“The assailant, Chase or whoever it was, could’ve returned to the party after assaulting me.”Talking about it without shame made her feel stronger.“You still consider Chase your prime suspect?”
“I’m looking at all possibilities, but yeah.”His gaze remained steady on hers.“You found useful information.”
She mulled through what she’d learned talking with Greg.“I keep coming back to Rhonda.That day at the bank she’d acted like the same mean girl she’d always been, but when I mentioned the bootlegger, she seemed scared.Really scared.”
“She has a secret.”
“I guess that’s it.But it seems like there’s something more.”
Gage nodded, then stood up and circled the table.He took her hand and pulled her to her feet.His gaze on hers, he dipped his head and met her lips in a kiss that left her longing for more.
“We’ll have to decide where we’re going with this, Mel.”His voice had dropped lower and made her wonder if that was his bedroom voice.
“I know.”
He called Pancake and left through the sliding door.
***
Thursday morning, Melanie strolled along the boardwalk on Main Street.Tourists snapped photos of the fall décor, probably to capture the town’s mountain charm for social media.Pumpkins, plaid ribbons, and hay bales made Sisters look like a postcard come to life.She tugged her beanie lower over her ears, warding off the crisp breeze.
She’d put in a solid two hours on her manuscript.It was coming along.Addy was at school, and Mel needed a break from writing, from playing amateur detective, and from the constant loop centered on Gage Landry.
She’d even considered knocking on his door and seducing him.Just stripping away the tension and making it happen.But she hadn’t.First, because he was probably working, and work-from-home was still work.But in all honesty, she was afraid.What if she made the move and he didn’t want her?
She’d driven into town hoping for clarity, but maybe she was running from the fear of rejection.
That wasn’t like her.Confidence usually came easy.Their kisses were like liquid fire.He was always touching her.Holding hands, nudging knees, stroking his thumb along the back of her neck.
She stopped mid-stride, eyes narrowing in thought.Oh.Oh my god.
Gage was waiting for her to make the move.Of course he was.Giving her control of when and how they became physical.Another thing that made him special: it was his way of respecting what she’d lost.
The realization hit her right in the heart.
He wasn’t just being patient; he was being careful, protective in a way that put her first.And knowing that, knowing he was letting her set the pace for both of them, made her certain.Gage understood what it meant for her to have that control, and he gave it freely.
She stood on the boardwalk, heart full and aching, and knew she had a choice to make.
Mulling over her revelations, she continued her stroll.She stopped in front of Retro Days, the store belonging to Antonia Reynoso.She went in, and it was like stepping onto the set of a sixties TV show.The colors, patterns, and materials evoked a nostalgia for a time before she was born.
She browsed through the vintage clothing and gave serious thought to buying a denim jacket decorated with flower power patches.
“Melanie, you came to visit me.I’m so happy to see you.”Antonia stepped from a display at the back of the store.She bustled forward in her colorful muumuu and opened her arms.Melanie felt herself enveloped in a warm hug that had her squeezing her eyes shut against the rush of emotion.Then Antonia stepped back and did a top-to-toe survey.“Beautiful as ever, my girl.I love your pixie cut.Not everyone can pull that off, but with your gorgeous cheekbones, you can.”
“Thank you.It’s so good to see you.This is a wonderful store.”
“I opened it with my Carlos, and now that he’s gone, it keeps me busy.”
“I’m sorry about Carlos.You must miss him terribly.”
“I do, but I try not to dwell on it.”
“I ran into Mateo and Juliette at Easy Money.They’re such a cute couple.Have they set a date for the wedding?”
“They’re looking at venues, and availability will dictate the date.”Antonia’s smile broadened.“I don’t think I’m talking out of turn to tell you that they’ve been talking with Delaney and Cam about having the wedding at Cider Mill Farm.”
