Reed didn’t know when it happened, but it was as undeniable as the sun. He’d fallen in love. When Emma and Lily left town, they would be taking his heart with them.
Heyworth Veterinarian Clinic smelled like a mixture of wet dog and antiseptic. Sadie’s tail went down as they crossed the threshold. The poor dog hated coming here. No amount of treats or reassurance seemed to ease her visits.
“Don’t worry,” Emma whispered. “No shots today.”
Sadie gave her a baleful look. Reed chuckled. “I don’t think she believes you.”
“I know.”
The office was empty. The receptionist’s computer flashed with a screen saver. Margaret came around the corner, looking at her phone. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and it bobbed as she drew up short. A hand fluttered to her throat. “Emma. Reed. You startled me.”
“We’re sorry,” Reed said. “The bell rang over the door, and your receptionist is gone.”
“All of my staff is at lunch. You didn’t have an appointment, did you?” Margaret bent down to stroke Sadie. “Emma, I heard about what happened to your uncle’s house. I’m so sorry. It’s fortunate Reed was there to help.”
“Thank you, Margaret.”
Emma refused to allow herself to glance at Reed. If she did, she feared she might burst into tears. The entire car ride over had been painfully silent. She couldn’t blame him for putting up a wall, but it stung all the same.
The memory of their conversation on Aunt Bessie’s porch scraped at the raw edges of her heart. The loss of her uncle’s home and Helping Paws was devastating. Salt on the wound was saying goodbye to Reed. But Emma didn’t see any way around it. She had a daughter to think about, and Reed would never leave Heyworth. Not while his sister’s case was still open.
Maybe it was better this way. Better to say goodbye before things got any more serious between them.
“Margaret, we need to ask you a few questions about Bonnie.” Reed’s tone was blunt. “We located her car.”
The veterinarian shot up from her crouch. “Where?”
“Near the back road bordering Joshua’s land with Emma’s. Can you think of any reason Bonnie would be out that way?”
Her brows drew down. “No. I mean, she used to fish at the lake sometimes. Jeb let her borrow poles from his shed. But I can’t imagine she was there late at night.”
Emma’s hand tightened on Sadie’s leash. “You mentioned the last time we talked that you hadn’t been aware of Bonnie’s relationship with Joshua. Do you know why she kept it secret from you?”
“She knew I wouldn’t approve.” Margaret’s nose wrinkled. “Joshua had a criminal history and was known as something of a bad boy. Bonnie was a sweet girl. She had a soft spot for those with sad stories.”
“You think he took advantage of her kindness?”
“I don’t know. People often did.”
Reed’s expression never shifted, but Emma sensed his interest. “Like who?”
Margaret licked her lips. “I wasn’t thinking of someone in particular. Just...people. Bonnie interacted with a lot of the townsfolk because of her work at the courthouse. She was a regular at the sheriff’s department. People were always asking her to do favors and stuff like that. She never learned how to say no.”
“What was Bonnie’s relationship like with Judge Norton?” he asked.
Something flickered in Margaret’s expression before she smoothed it out. “I assume it was fine. We didn’t talk about it much.”
Emma had the distinct sense she was lying. “If you know something, Margaret, you need to say so. We aren’t gossiping. We’re trying to get to the truth and help Bonnie.”
“Of course you are. I’m sorry. This is a small town and things have a way of getting around.” Margaret fiddled with her scrub top. “Bonnie had some issues with Judge Norton. She felt he was interested in her...romantically.”
Reed stiffened. Emma shifted in front of him. Margaret would have an easier time telling a woman. “Did she ever report it? Judge Norton was her boss.”
“No. It was a tough situation. I mean, she’d been dating Will for a long time and she didn’t want to hurt him. And the judge was discreet about it. He would massage her shoulders or stroke her hair. It was weird and made Bonnie uncomfortable, but it didn’t quite rise to the level of sexual harassment.”
Could that have been what the argument between Bonnie and Judge Norton been about? It was possible.
“Did Will know?” Emma asked.
“Bonnie certainty wouldn’t have told him. Will is the jealous type and his relationship with his uncle is rocky. Like I said, it made her uncomfortable, but Judge Norton was careful not to cross the line.”
“Do you think it’s something she would’ve told Joshua?”
Margaret shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe.”
They talked for a few more minutes, but Margaret didn’t have any other information. They said their goodbyes. Emma waited until they were in Reed’s SUV before placing a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
He pounded the steering wheel. “There was so much about Bonnie’s life I didn’t know.”
“She was protecting you.”
“That wasn’t her job.” His jaw tightened. “It was mine. I’m her big brother.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Reed. We always protect those we love. You and I both know, if Bonnie had told you about Judge Norton, you would’ve confronted him. It’s who you are.”
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “Judge Norton. If what Margaret says is true, Emma, he has motive. If he was interested romantically in Bonnie...”
“Then there’s a chance he wanted to prevent her from marrying Joshua. Permanently.”
SEVENTEEN
The lamp in the corner of the living room cast a soft glow over the room. Emma lay on the couch, covered in a throw, her dark hair spread across a pillow. She’d fallen asleep reading a book. Sadie lay on the carpet next to her.
Reed shifted the laptop on the rickety tray table. The recliner wasn’t the best place to work, but he didn’t consider moving. Silly perhaps, and more than a little sentimental, but he wanted to
