“Thanks, Herm.” He inhaled a deep lungful of the garlic mashed potatoes and succulent meat. “That smells fantastic.”
“Oughta be—I’ve been perfecting the recipe for a couple of decades. Here, let me dish you up a plate. You look like you haven’t eaten since the eighth grade.”
“Put me aside some, okay? I’m looking for Laney. Worried about her.”
Herm became suddenly busy wiping down his workspace.
“Herm?”
“Yeah?” No eye contact.
“Do you know something about Laney? About her health maybe? She looks tired and stressed.”
“Naw. Imagine it’s a shock, you being back and all. Poor lady’s been through it, you know?” Still he continued to wipe the already clean counter.
“Has she been sick?”
“Don’t think so. Say, I got to get this food in the warming oven and start on the potatoes.”
It was clear Herm wasn’t going to betray any private information about Laney, and though his instincts were prickling, he respected Herm for doing his best for her. “All right. One more question. There’s someone staying on the property, a lady with a dark braid. Know anything about her?”
“Name’s Rita something.” He whacked the slotted spoon against the side of the pot to shake off the juices. “Brown. Rita Brown. Checked in two days ago.”
Two days ago. Right after Beckett’s jail-cell beating. “Alone?”
“Far as I can tell. Since the place is pretty empty, we upgraded her to a nicer room. Seems to stick around the lodge a lot. Haven’t heard of her going into the park yet. Why would someone come and stay here without going to see the sights? Odd.”
Odd, for sure. The muscles deep in the pit of his stomach tightened. “Thanks, Herm.” The cook saluted as he left the kitchen.
He heard the high tone of a female voice coming from the back porch. He found Laney there sitting on a wooden swing talking on her cell phone. “Thank you for calling, Irene. I’ll do my best.”
She must be talking to the local doctor, Irene Kincaid. Irene and Laney had been fast friends since Irene had opened up her practice in Furnace Falls five years prior. So was Laney sick? He realized she’d disconnected and now she was crying. That paralyzed him. Barge in or retreat? The last thing he wanted to do was upset her further or pry into her personal life.
He knew in his bones he was the reason for her sadness, and he feared distressing her more. While he attempted to ease backward, Admiral poked his head up from Laney’s lap and offered a happy whine and tail wag at him.
Laney looked over.
“I, uh…I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.” She looked alarmingly exhausted, her eyes shadowed underneath.
She stood, Admiral tucked against her chest. “I have to go help serve dinner.”
“I will too.”
“No, Beckett. You heard what Jude said. You should go.”
“Please listen to me. Kenny is coming here. I’m not leaving you unprotected.”
“Leaving me unprotected?” A flash of anger lit the depths of her eyes. “You didn’t worry about that when you filed for divorce.”
Pain cut through him like a buzz saw. “I did it for you.”
She huffed out a breath. “Right. So now that you’re out of jail, what happens? You’re dropping the divorce proceedings?”
A challenge rang in her tone and his heart sank to his knees. “No,” he said. “I’ll always be seen as a killer. Divorce will protect you from that. You can take your old name, have a fresh start.”
She laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. “Thanks for filling me in on what I should do. It sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”
She tried to move by him, but he stopped her with an arm on her shoulder. She stiffened under his touch.
“It isn’t how I wanted it to turn out,” he said, fighting through the lump in his throat. “What else was I supposed to do?”
She didn’t look at him, but he heard her convulsive swallow. “You were supposed to love me for better or for worse, like I was prepared to do for you. You broke your vow, Beckett, the promise you made to me on our wedding day.”
His throat tightened and he struggled to breathe. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter now. What’s gone is gone.”
He slowly dropped his hand. Whatever love she’d had for him had evaporated, leaving only the dregs of bitterness behind. What had he expected? He deserved nothing more. She’d been let down time and time again in her life, but nonetheless, she’d put her trust in him and he’d broken it. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “You didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”
She eased away from his grip. “Don’t be sorry. Just move on and restart your life. I’ll do the same as soon as we sign the papers.”
He let her ease away a few steps before he spoke again. “Like I said, I’m sorry, but I’m going to sleep in one of the tents until I’m convinced things are secure here. I’ll try to stay out of your way, and I’ll make sure the hotel is legally signed over to you before I leave.”
Now she turned, and there was an indecipherable expression on her face.
“How long will all that take?”
“I don’t know. I won’t stay any longer than I need to.”
Light shimmered in her blue eyes. “Promise me one thing.”
He waited.
Her silence spread out until he shifted uncomfortably.
After another moment more she seemed to come to a decision. “Okay,” she said quietly, shoulders squared. “Promise me that you’ll leave here and not come back, no matter what you find out.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Just promise. After you go, you won’t be involved in my life for any reason.” She was fighting some strong emotion. “Promise.”
“All right,” he said. “If that will make you feel better.”
Laney hesitated for a moment, then reached into the pocket of her jeans
