Always & Forever (41 page)

“I’ll get the damn drink.”

What was her problem? He knew Lilly had a tendency to be quarrelsome but since their engagement, she’d been full of happiness and light. Her mood had been fine when she left for work. Maybe Grandma could tell him what happened today to make her act so strange.

He thrust the refilled drink into Lilly’s hand. “You want me to just bring over the bottle and you can dispense with the champagne flute?”

Sarah punched his arm. “What a perfectly rotten thing to say. Lilly’s an adult and entitled to some relaxation occasionally. Don’t be so nasty.”

Zach looked at Sarah and raised an eyebrow, but she shook her head.

“Back off,” she mouthed.

He sighed and leaned down to kiss Lilly’s forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m worried about you.”

She giggled again. “It’s fine, baby. I thought I’d cut loose a little tonight, but you’re right, I’ve had plenty. I’ll switch to water after this.”

Damn, that giggle annoyed him.

As if dismissing the entire thing from her mind, Lilly turned to Sarah. “Are you heading back to Seattle Friday?”

“Depends on Steven, really. He wants to take care of that business left over when he canceled his last trip.” Sarah shrugged. “I’m trying to get him to stay until the following weekend. I’ve been having so much fun. I’m not ready to go back.”

“You should go this Friday,” Lilly said. “You must have a lot to get done before Savannah starts school.”

“Not really.” Sarah’s gaze landed on Zach before flicking back to Lilly. “It seems like you’re trying to get rid of me. Am I wearing out my welcome with the time we’ve spent together?”

“Not at all.” Again with the giggle. “I think it would be better for Savannah to be prepared, that’s all. Maybe Zach and I could come up and spend some time with you there. It would be fun to be at your house when Savannah comes home from school the first day.”

“I’d love that. You’re welcome anytime. After all, I want to see you as much as possible.” Sarah smiled and patted Lilly’s knee. “We still have to make all your wedding plans, too.”

Lilly shook her head. “Sure. That’d be nice.”

Her voice sounded emotionless, like she didn’t care about the wedding at all. Why would she be that way about it? She had seemed so happy for the last week. Was she having second thoughts?

“Aunt Lilly?” Savannah bounced up and down on her knees. She waved her hand in the air to get attention. “Do I get to be your flowering girl? I’m Uncle Tommy’s flowering girl. Mommy says I’ll get a pretty dress and I can throw things.”

Lilly’s face reddened, and Zach saw the tears swimming in her eyes before she closed them. “Yes, Savannah. If we get married, you’re my only choice for flower girl.”

If they got married? Did she change her mind?

“Yay. I’m gonna tell Grandma.” Savannah zipped across the deck to where Patricia sat with Margaret, and her excited voice echoed throughout the space. “I’m gonna be flowering girl two times.”

“What do you mean, ‘if,’ Lilly?” he asked as soon as Savannah was out of earshot.

As though she hadn’t heard him, Lilly turned to Sarah. “Didn’t you say you live in a gated community with a security guard watching the premises?”

“Yes...” Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “Why does that matter?”

“Maybe your family should get away from the lake this week.” Lilly shrugged. “We never know when my stalker will strike again and I’d feel better if I knew you were safe.”

Zach leaned to whisper in Lilly’s ear. “What has made you worry about that?”

Lilly shook her head. “Nothing in particular. Don’t you think it would be safer for them though?”

“I don’t want to leave yet,” Sarah protested. “Your stalker has been quiet for weeks now. Let’s enjoy the next week. After all, it’s the last week of the summer. We’re all being careful.”

Tears leaked from the corners of Lilly’s eyes, and she thrust her glass into Zach’s hands. “I need to use the restroom.”

Zach watched her weave her way into the cabin. She’d definitely had too much to drink.

Sarah made shooing motions at him. “Go find out what’s wrong with her.”

“On my way, sis.” He handed Sarah the glass and chased after Lilly.

He entered the doorway and searched for Lilly in the gloom. She sat on the far side of the cabin, her head in her hands.

He eased down next to her. “You have to talk to me. Please don’t shut me out.”

She looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. “It’s nothing. I’ve just had a rough day, and I should have stayed home tonight.”

He wiped at the smudge of mascara trekking down her cheek. A stab of fear pierced his heart. He knew not everything in Lilly’s life pertained to him but still—talking about marriage seemed to upset her most. “Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?”

She leaned in to him, and her soft hair rustled against his arm. “No matter what happens, don’t ever think I don’t love you.” She gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. “You’re all I have that’s important.”

“Then tell me what’s wrong.”

Despite her words professing love, there was coldness in Lilly that had never been a part of her before. “I can’t tell you whatever it is you want to hear. I just had a bad day.” She settled back into the couch and let her head fall against the cushion. “Things will be better soon, okay?”

He put his arm around her and gathered her close to his chest. It wasn’t okay, but he didn’t tell her that.

Lilly sat next to Margaret Friday afternoon and stared out toward the lake as they ate lunch. Margaret talked about her favorite topic, her grandchildren. She seemed happier than Lilly ever remembered her being, now that both her grandsons had placed rings on their chosen woman’s finger.

“Of course,” Margaret said, “Bridget is a little young and has a tendency to gossip, but overall, I like her.”

Lilly absently picked at her sandwich. “Yes, she’s quite lovely.”

She called Sarah last night and tried to convince her to leave Serenity today, but Sarah talked Steven into staying until Sunday. Each day that passed, Lilly’s terror multiplied. How long until Crandall tried something? It had been three days since the confrontation in the parking lot.

There was no hope for it. Her time would run out if she didn’t do something soon. Lilly didn’t look forward to heading into this weekend and the constant worry about Crandall that entailed. The time had come to tell Zach what happened. There had to be a way to protect Sarah without calling the police. Maybe they could figure out a solution together.

She should have told him that first night. Things were tense between them now, and she knew the fault lay with her. She tried to be normal, tried to make sure he knew how much she loved him, but her fear got in the way.

She finally had a chance for happiness, and Curtis Crandall could snatch it away in a second. He seemed crazy enough, and Lilly believed his threats. She could easily imagine him doing something to Zach or Sarah, and all the blame would rest on Lilly’s shoulders.

“Lilly, are you listening to me?” Margaret’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Margaret. I’m a little distracted. What did you say?”

“Never mind.” Margaret rolled her eyes and walked to her favorite rocker. “Did you at least remember to get us a new book yesterday like I asked you?”

She actually
had
picked up the newest romance by Linda Howard. “I left it in my car. I’ll grab it right now.”

Margaret shook her silver head. “What is wrong with you this week, child? You’re all over the place.”

She affected a laugh and headed for the doorway. “I’m a little tired after everything that’s been happening. I’ll be right back.”

Lilly grabbed her purse from the coat rack. She zipped it open to where she could easily grasp the reassuring bulge of the stun gun.

If Margaret had suspicions about her actions this week, how must Zach feel?

***

Zach leaned back in his chair and stretched. Lilly would be home soon. The time had come to have a chat with Grandma. Maybe she knew what troubled Lilly.

For the last several days, Lilly had become more and more distant. Forget fun and fabulous sex on a nightly basis, Lilly hardly spoke to him. Despite her assurances on the yacht that she still loved him, Zach became more certain with every day that passed she harbored second thoughts.

Perhaps, now that she controlled her own fortune again, she didn’t want him anymore. He wouldn’t have guessed she’d be like that, but his judgment definitely wasn’t infallible.

He found a sheet of scrap paper.
Lilly - I’ve gone out for a bit. Make sure you lock the front door. Be back soon. I love you.

He laid the note on her side of the bed as he passed through the bedroom, grabbing his wallet and cell phone. He’d stop and get a cup of coffee before heading to Grandma’s place. That would give Lilly plenty of time to leave Woodbridge Manor.

Sarah had no help to offer on this subject. Lilly refused to talk to her, too. Grandma sat from a loftier position of age and experience, however. She had a way of getting to the heart of secrets. If anyone had figured out what was going on inside Lilly’s head, his grandmother was the person.

Zach pulled up to the coffee shop and went in. The comforting aroma of coffee beans and pastries enveloped him, and he inhaled deeply. Most summer people had already left for the season, returning to their real lives. Local folks sat in the sparsely populated shop. They waved at Zach or called out greetings as he took a seat next to them along the bar.

“Looks like it’ll be a nice Indian summer, eh, Zach?” Rick Hamilton asked from the seat next to him. The man swirled his coffee around the bottom of his cup. “Planning on staying for a while this year?”

“I sure am,” Zach replied, “all winter. Grandma’s here full time, so it will be great to see her more. Besides, my fiancée loves the area. We do whatever we can to make the women in our lives happy, right?”

Rick looked over at him with a raised eyebrow. “You’re talking about Miss Lilly?”

“Of course. Why?”

Before Rick could respond, Sally walked up behind the counter. “What can I get for you, Zachie?”

“A double-shot espresso and a fresh cake donut, please.”

She smiled and hurried to fill his order. She plunked it in front of him and leaned against the counter. “Haven’t seen you around for a few weeks.”

Zach took a sip of the scalding drink. “I’ve been pretty busy. It’s not easy to woo a woman like Lilly. She keeps me on my toes.”

Sally exchanged a look with Rick before she patted Zach’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Sorry?
“Am I missing something here?” Zach asked.

Sally wiped down the counter with a clean rag, shaking her head. “I’d hope you’d hear it somewhere else, and we wouldn’t have to say anything.”

Zach choked on a piece of donut and lapsed into a fit of coughing. There was something to be said about a small town. Everyone was privy to everyone else’s business. Perhaps he had come to the right place to learn what was bothering Lilly. These two knew something.

He caught Sally’s eye again. “You’ve both known me my whole life. I need to know the truth. Why don’t you like Lilly?”

Sally sighed. “Rick, you’d best tell him. This is man talk, and I’m going to make myself scarce. Holler if I get another customer.”

Rick didn’t answer, but he also didn’t offer any complaint, and Sally’s large frame disappeared into the kitchen area.

“Man talk sounds pretty serious. What’s Sally referring to?”

Rick gripped Zach’s shoulder and turned back to his coffee. “I know you had a lot of trouble with that fancy woman you married before, and I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news.” Rick sat stony faced for a moment and stared at the counter.

“I already know there’s something going on. Lilly just won’t talk to me about it,” Zach said. “What’ve you heard?”

“It was Tamra Sands who saw it, and you know what a gossip that woman is. Might be she was wrong about what she saw.” He shrugged as if to apologize for Tamra’s gossiping tendencies.

Zach knew the entire town was full of gossips, but it just might serve him well here. He turned his hand in a ‘go ahead’ motion between them and tried to keep hold of his patience. “What did she see?”

“It was this past Tuesday, outside your granny’s place. She saw Miss Lilly with another man.”

Tuesday, the day Lilly drank so much. The day things changed between them. A hard lump formed in his throat. “Saw her with another man how?”

“You gotta remember, Tamra was just driving by. Said she didn’t stop or nothin’.”

Zach blinked rapidly. He already knew the answer, but he had to hear it for himself. “Just tell me.”

“She was making out with the man.” Rick’s sad eyes met Zach’s. “I’m real sorry, son. I always thought Miss Lilly was such a sweet girl, but I’m afraid she might be like the last one.”

“It’s okay, Rick. This isn’t your fault.” Zach closed his eyes and tried to force air into his chest over the knot of sadness blocking the way. “Who was the man?”