Seasons of Love (13 page)

It had been John’s life insurance; of that, Zane felt confident. Somehow, John’s plan had ended in disaster.

Zane had failed miserably, as well. He’d noticed the oddity, but because he hadn’t realized he would need the information, he’d deleted the file from his mind. So it didn’t register as anything but peculiar. He supposed the shock of the theft had skewed his ability to focus.

He picked his way through the living room over to the kitchen to flip on the fluorescents then crept down the empty corridor, remaining alert to any intruders, and into the office. He flicked the switch. Again nothing. The lamp in the office had also been overturned. Zane made a mental note to replace all of his lighting with overheads.

A bright ray of moonlight gleamed through the window, illuminating the one item he’d been searching for. He stepped softly, careful to avoid damaging any of the files or knickknacks that lay scattered over the dark carpet. The image of Riley’s look-alike stared up at him in the shimmering light like a shining specter in the dark room. Zane reached down to retrieve it. The picture appeared undamaged, but someone had stepped on it, cracking the glass and overlooking its significance.

He pulled the photo out and tossed the frame back into the disaster area. The glass clinked as it hit the floor, but another slight jingle caught his attention.
Of course!
The clue was inside the frame. Zane recovered it and discovered a gold chain taped to the backing.

Bingo!

He dangled the chain in the moonlight. Still, he had no idea what it meant, only that it should lead him somewhere. Exhaustion overwhelmed him. He wanted to sit down but didn’t have the energy to return the furniture to its proper position. There wasn’t any point in calling the police, because he knew he wouldn’t be giving them the evidence they would need to tie it all together—John’s clue. He couldn’t afford to lose the clue when he’d only just found it. Would they believe him anyway? Before heading to bed, he made sure to check all the closets and possible hiding places. He clutched the chain and the photo as he strolled to his bedroom, hoping he still had a bed to lie in.

It remained in its rightful place. Relieved and surprised at the same time, Zane plopped down on the soft mattress. He stared at the chain. Finding the clue was only the first piece of John’s convoluted puzzle. He grimaced at the thought.

Unwelcome sunlight flickered through the window as rustling leaves seemed to clatter outside, igniting Zane’s headache. Groggily, he rolled out of bed and scowled at the disaster area that had been his home. The clock on the wall read eight thirty—he’d overslept. He headed for the bathroom and gaped at his coarse appearance. Shadows circled his eyes, and he needed a shave.

First, he would brew coffee to clear his mind. Last night he’d been too worn out to consider the events with clarity. But Riley had never left his thoughts. She’d lived in his dreams.

He’d hurt her by not being honest when he’d only tried to protect her, keep her from having another burden to add to her struggle. Now she had the trouble despite his efforts, and to make matters worse, he was afraid that she might erect a barrier between them. He had no idea if it could ever be torn down. He believed he’d made headway in earning her trust, but for what reason if it all came to this?

He splashed water over his face and dried it. Grabbing the chain and photo, he strolled to the kitchen, ignoring the untidy heap along the way. He laid the items on the counter and, after starting the coffee, decided to shower while it brewed. The photo drew his attention, and he stared at it. The woman held a cell phone to her ear and wore the same gold chain around her neck, but with a small locket affixed to it.

Riley must have the locket. That was what John had sent to her. Zane phoned her while he waited for the shower to steam.

No answer.

Thirty minutes later, Zane had dressed and was on his way down Cranberry Highway toward Sanderford Farms. He tried calling Riley but received no answer at the house. The day they’d gone shopping, she had purchased an answering machine, complaining about people who were hard to reach. He tried the farm office and left a message. It was reasonable to think that they were on the farm, especially with the imminent harvest.

Zane peeled through the entrance and down the gravel road. A luxury sedan that he didn’t recognize was parked in the circular drive. He recalled Riley’s words that the vandals had driven an expensive-looking sedan.

He tried to steady his breathing, but the events of the past evening would not allow him to do so. As soon as he stopped his vehicle, he exploded from it and dashed up the office steps to whip the door open. Empty.

He ran to the house, fueled by fear and adrenaline. Without knocking, he burst through the back door and, seeing the kitchen vacant, yelled Riley’s name.

A dark-suited man stepped into the living area doorway, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Zane.

Oh no! Riley!

Rage pounded through his heart. In two steps, he stood before the stranger, fist drawn.

Riley appeared in the doorway. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. “Zane, no!” She stepped between him and the man.

Seeing her unharmed, he slumped against the wall, relieved. “Riley, you’re all right.”

He looked at the stranger standing next to her. The man wore a smirk on his face. Zane wanted to punch him anyway.

She placed her hand on his arm, its calming effect working. “Yes, I’m fine. Now what about you? You look like you’ve seen a creature from the latest horror flick.”

“I thought… I thought…” He pushed away from the wall and paced, running his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry. I suppose after everything that has happened I thought the worst when I saw the unfamiliar car outside, and then I came in here to see him standing there….”

She smiled in sympathy, yet she appeared tense and uncomfortable. Zane assumed she hadn’t forgiven him for his duplicity.

Realization dawned in her eyes. “Oh, Zane, this is Eric Rutherford. Eric, Zane Baldwyn.”

Zane nodded his acknowledgment, as did Eric, but neither shook hands.

Riley moved into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

“I’d prefer we talk in here; Chad’s napping. Eric and I were… friends… when I lived in California. His arrival is an unexpected surprise.” Eric pulled out the chair next to Riley and sat, placing his hand on hers. He laughed as his gaze slithered to Zane and back to Riley. “Come now, Riley. You know we were more than friends. Be honest with Zane.” He kissed her hand.

Riley pulled her hand away, her face ashen.

Pangs of jealousy sliced through Zane’s exposed heart. “I called but couldn’t reach you.”

“You did? That’s funny. I didn’t hear it ring, and I don’t see the little red light flashing.” She pushed away from the table and strode to the machine on the counter.

“There was no answer,” Zane said, never taking his eyes from Eric. He didn’t like the man.

Riley pushed buttons on the device. “Strange. It seems to be working.”

Eric stood, as well, and buttoned his black suit coat. Zane cringed, wishing he’d dressed professionally today. Feeling humiliated already after his wrong assumptions, it would go a long way toward giving him a sense of authority.

“You were putting Chad down for a nap. I unplugged the phone, thinking you wouldn’t want the boy disturbed.” Eric came to stand behind Riley and placed his hands on her shoulders.

She turned to face him, looking like a cornered animal. “Zane, why were you trying to reach me?”

“It can wait.” Zane didn’t know how much he could say in front of Eric. “I’ve got things to do. It was nice to meet you, Eric.”

Zane turned and left the house, wishing there was something he could do to extract Riley from Eric’s possessiveness. But he had no right to act out of jealousy. No right to interfere.

Grandpa appeared in the doorway. “Who’s your friend, Riley?”

Thankful for Grandpa’s arrival, she escaped Eric’s assertive overtures and grabbed her grandfather’s arm. “Grandpa, this is Eric Rutherford. He’s a friend from California.”

The older man thrust out his hand in his usual warm manner. “Glad to meet you, son. So you knew my Riley in California?” While keeping his attention on Eric, he ambled to the sink to fill a glass with water.

“Yes, we were close. I’m surprised she didn’t mention me. So sorry to hear about her brother. Since I had business in Boston, I took the opportunity to stop for a visit. In fact, I’m taking a few extra days after my business is complete.”

Riley closed her eyes. Nausea gripped her already-tumultuous insides, and her spirits sank.
No, no, no.

Eric was the last person on the planet she wanted to see right now, if ever.

She needed to speak to Zane, unload her torrential emotions.

Go home, Eric.

Given that Zane had tried to contact her and leave a message, she considered that he’d possibly discovered something to help them solve this ridiculous puzzle. She glared at Eric for his interference and would have growled at him if her trusting grandfather were not in the room.

Grandpa spoke to Eric about the plans for the farm and Riley’s part in it, bragging on her. Riley felt the heat warm her cheeks, but her embarrassment stemmed from the fact that it had been Zane who’d gotten things rolling, not her. Her heart skipped at the thought of seeing him preparing to slug Eric. He’d tried to save her from someone he thought was a danger to her. She wished she hadn’t stopped him.

Zane had appeared crestfallen when Eric took her hand.

It hurt her to see him like that. She’d have to explain Eric’s presence once she had a chance to speak to him.

Both Grandpa and Eric stared at her, waiting for a response. “I’m sorry. Were you talking to me?”

“I just told Eric that he’s welcome to stay here on the farm when his business is finished. We’ve got plenty of room, and that way he won’t have to drive back and forth to see you.”

The room tilted, and Riley leaned against the counter. She remained stunned for a moment while she contemplated a response. Grandpa had already made the offer; he didn’t understand Riley’s animosity, and she didn’t want to seem rude to either of them. At least she would have time to come up with an excuse before Eric’s minivacation.

“That’s very kind of you, Grandpa. Thanks for coming by, Eric.” Hearing Chad’s cry, she jumped at the chance to leave. “I’ve got to check on Chad.”

It was a struggle to contain her irritation with Eric, but it was best not to offend him, especially in front of her grandfather. He wouldn’t understand her rudeness and would be disappointed in her.

When she reached Chad’s room, she wiped away his tears and pulled him to her. After changing his diaper, she took him to her room to play on the floor while she tried to pray. She looked out her window toward the Sanderford Farms office.

Zane’s vehicle was gone.

A zesty autumn breeze wafted over Riley as she strolled near the cranberry beds. After the police had dusted for prints and completed their investigation, she’d spent the rest of the morning cleaning up the office. Alone. Eric had gone back to Boston to work, and Zane had never returned. Elsie had stopped by the farm after a short school day and offered to stay with Chad—an answer to Riley’s prayer for help today. More than anything, she needed to calm her frazzled nerves. Last night’s break-in and Eric’s arrival this morning had almost brought her to her knees, as well it should. She needed to spend time in prayer. But she couldn’t.

She bristled in irritation that she’d been kept from speaking with Zane. He had something to tell her. She knew because he’d all but said it when he mentioned that he’d tried to call her. She could see in his eyes that he wanted to talk to her alone. But he’d left the farm. She cringed when she thought of his hurt expression when Eric had acted as though she belonged to him.

Last night she’d learned that Zane had not been truthful about working at the farm. At first, the knowledge of his deception had hurt. The pain had gone deeper and felt more personal than it should have, surprising her. But she’d had time to consider his reasons and understand them. For now, she intended to focus on searching with Zane for whatever John had hidden.