Seasons of Love (14 page)

Still, she wondered what else he kept from her. She believed in Zane, but a certain part of her remained unwilling to trust him completely.

The brilliant crimson fruit helped to calm her spirit, and as she stared down at the beds, she decided the ripened crop did, indeed, deserve the name
bog rubies
. The bright yellows, golds, and reds of the autumn trees accentuated them. During the next few days, Riley, Grandpa, family, and friends would be busy with the laborious task of harvesting the berries. First, they would flood the beds with water from the reservoir using the new pump.

Riley had hired help three weeks ago to assist Grandpa with inspecting the cleaning machine and conveyor and to make sure spare parts were on hand. Once the process began, the crop would not wait while repairs were made. She’d prepared meals to feed the workers ahead of time and frozen them.

It occurred to her that her grandfather had purposefully failed to mention the impending harvest when he’d invited Eric to stay. He probably expected Eric to join in the work like the others. She laughed out loud at the ridiculous thought of her all-business ex-boyfriend knee deep in water, booming the berries. She hoped the labor involved would be enough to send him away.

Weariness filled her at the thought of the endless hours of work that would consume her over the next two or three days. At least less time would be needed since Grandpa’s antique walk-behind harvester had been replaced with a new riding one, though they would use the old one as well. She was thrilled that she could be part of her grandfather’s life and the farm once again. She never dreamed her world would change so dramatically in such a short period of time.

Moisture brimmed in her eyes. She believed that leaving behind the corporate stress and Eric and moving to this peaceful farm was the answer she was looking for. But as she walked along the dikes, she realized she didn’t even know the question. All she knew was that she longed for an inner peace, yet even as a Christian, she felt as though peace eluded her.

As she drew in a deep breath, the earthy smell relaxed her. She could at least try to pray.
Father, please bless my grandfather’s cranberry crop and help him build the legacy he’s desired for so many years. Please help me to be a good mother to little Chad. And help Zane to know You in a deeper way. Please keep us in the palms of Your hands and protect us.

Riley swiped her wet eyes then opened them.

A blurred figured in a business suit approached. She sighed with relief when she recognized Zane rather than Eric.

His professional appearance surprised her. She’d grown accustomed to the farm work clothes and admitted she liked him better in them. “What’s with the suit? Did you have a meeting this afternoon?”

He cocked his head. The warmth in his eyes had disappeared. “As a matter of fact, I’ve contacted a security company to install an alarm at both your office and home. But you have to remember to arm it or else it won’t work.”

Though the vandalism was not something to laugh about, his tone brought a chuckle from her. “You say that as if you know from experience.”

His expression looked serious, scolding her lightheartedness. “Last night I returned to my condo to find it in worse shape than your office.”

She inhaled sharply. “Oh no!… Zane… I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“I’ve hired a private investigator.”

His news stunned her. “You did? Do you think that will make any difference?”

Zane reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a gold necklace.

Riley scrunched her face. “What’s that for?”

“I have a photo that John claimed was you, but it’s not. The woman is wearing a gold chain like this, only it also has a locket on it. Do you know where the locket is?”

Riley racked her memory then shook her head. “Sorry, Zane. I’ve never seen that before. Why are you so sure that I would have it?”

Zane stared off in the distance, frowning. Riley was certain her exasperation mirrored his. “John said he’d sent you something. This is part of the clue. It has to be the locket. You have to have it if we are going to resolve this.”

His cold stare sent a chill over her. What had happened to the warm and friendly Zane with the magnetic smile? She couldn’t hide her disappointment.

She touched his arm. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll look through my stuff. I still have boxes to unpack. Can you believe it? I just—I don’t remember getting anything from him. But I could have been distracted with attending his funeral and the move here.”

His sympathetic smile encouraged her that the Zane she’d come to know was somewhere inside. She wondered if Eric’s appearance had anything to do with Zane’s sudden change toward her. Or maybe his friendliness had been part of his ruse to gain access to the farm in his search. Now that she was aware of his scheme, he no longer needed to pretend.

He stared at the ground and kicked at an errant weed with his polished black shoe. He reminded Riley of a little boy who’d been caught stealing candy.

“There’s something else.”

Here it comes.
She shook her head and turned her back to him, not knowing if she could handle anything else.

“What is it?” Her voice came out breathy, weary.

“Remember when I told you that after your brother left you a message that night he said to himself it could be a matter of life or death? I’ve believed from the beginning that John’s death was no accident.”

The meaning of his words gripped her mind and took root. Stunned, she whirled to face him. “Wha–?” The strength in her legs gave out, and she plummeted.

Zane caught her and pulled her to him, maintaining a tight hold as she sobbed against his expensive designer suit.

All the anxiety and worries she’d kept inside in an effort to remain strong rushed out. Questions and accusations reeled in her mind, tormenting her soul. John murdered? Sarah, too? Or had she just been in the wrong place? It was too much to grasp. Her heart ached for her brother’s family, for Chad.

Lord, why has this happened?

Zane’s voice continued to comfort and soothe in the background of her anguish. When her tears were spent, remorse filled her that she’d exposed her emotions to Zane, and she pushed away from him. She avoided looking at the damage she’d done to his suit.

She pulled a tissue out of her pocket that she kept on hand for Chad and wiped her eyes and nose. “Who, Zane? Who killed my brother? Do the police believe this?”

He gripped her shoulders. “Calm down. One question at a time. I haven’t exactly shared my theory with the police.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because John left his clues for us to decipher. Not the police. Besides, all I have is suspicions, nothing concrete.”

“So what? Isn’t that their job to figure out?”

Releasing his hold, he sighed heavily. “But all I have is something John said and his clues—or at least one of them. Let’s go with what John’s given us first.”

He stepped closer and peered into her eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you this because I wanted to spare you, but I feel I’ve lost enough of your trust already.”

Zane’s heart ached as he looked at Riley’s contorted, pain-filled expression. Anger surged through him that he’d decided to reveal his belief that her brother was murdered. Had his reasons for telling her been all wrong? He’d wanted to regain her trust. Instead, his decision had caused her more pain.

“I should go. I’ve hurt you enough for one week.” He started back to the office, where he’d parked in the drive.

“Wait.”

Zane closed his eyes. He didn’t know why she’d said the word, but it pleased him. He turned to look at her.

“Could you walk with me a bit? Unless, that is, you have to work.” A tight smile tugged at her cheeks.

At the moment, Zane couldn’t think of anything he’d rather do than be with her. Nor could he recall any other pressing business for the day. He offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She wiped her eyes again then hooked her arm through his. Though they strolled without speaking, a quiet comfort settled over Zane, and he hoped she felt it, as well. He thought of things to say, conversation starters, but didn’t want to disturb the mood. Riley needed time to assimilate what he’d told her.

Their walk took them to the acreage beyond the cranberries amid an abundance of colorful oaks and maples.

When Riley stopped, she faced Zane and grinned. “Sorry about your suit. Do you think you can get that out?”

He glanced down at his soiled shoulder. “This old thing?” The words reminded him of the chocolate incident, and when he saw the sparkle in her eyes, he knew she’d remembered, as well. They both laughed.

“That’s a good sound to hear from you. I’m worried about you.” He tipped her chin with his thumb to scrutinize her tearstained face. “You know if there was any other way, I wouldn’t have told you.”

The diminutive smile on her face faded. “You have to tell me everything. I’m a big girl. You shouldn’t have kept anything from me. He may have been your partner, but he was my brother.” Her lip quivered, but she breathed in and controlled her emotions.

Though Riley’s earlier outburst was understandable considering the news he’d given, he admired her attempts to remain strong. But he worried that she allowed herself no outlet.

She closed her eyes as if considering her next words. “If whoever killed my brother is searching for this, aren’t we in the same danger?”

“Honestly, I think they realize their mistake in losing John. He was the brilliance they needed to complete their project. I don’t think they will make that mistake again.”

“Some family and friends helping with the harvest will be arriving tonight.”

“You’ll be safe surrounded by people.”

“What I mean is that I won’t have much time to find that locket. That’s the key to all of this, isn’t it?”

Her concerned expression ripped through the barrier of his control, and he placed his hand gently at the back of her head, pulling her toward him as he wove his fingers through her hair.

She didn’t resist.

Her soft lips beckoned him, and he leaned down to meet them, pressing his own against their warmth. Powerful emotions erupted in his soul from the simple touch of his lips against hers.

He released her and backed away, swallowing to fight the sudden dryness in his mouth. “I shouldn’t have done that. Forgive me. You’re in an awful state of mind. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you.”

He thrust his hands into his pockets. “We should get back.” Riley appeared dazed at his actions, shoving his guilt deeper.

What more could he do to hurt her?

Wearing waders the next day, Zane stood knee deep in the bog and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a gloved hand. After several hours of pumping water from the reservoir into each of the beds, he was spent. But daylight remained, and Robert Sanderford had finished his turn driving the eggbeater, a machine that spun reels to churn the water. Zane needed to try his hand at it.

In one of the other beds, Gerome Mays, a distant cousin, used the old walk-behind harvester. Though it took longer, it still accomplished the task. Zane climbed onto the tractor, not much larger than a riding lawn mower, and began the process of stirring up the water. Liberated berries already bunched together, floating in the bog like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The machine chugged along at two miles an hour. Zane watched in amazement as the ripe berries, filled with small pockets of air, floated to the top after they separated from the vines.

Once he felt comfortable with the machinery, he allowed his thoughts to drift, mesmerized by the noisy engine and the reel agitating the bog. Despite the burden of knowledge he shared with Riley regarding the events surrounding John’s death, they both needed the break that concentrating on the harvest brought. Working with his hands was good therapy.

Riley paced along the dike as if she were on the sidelines watching a football game and waved at him, cheering him on. Her face was bright with excitement, and he was pleased that she’d been able to take her mind off their predicament. Seeing her observe him caused a sense of pride to swell in his chest. Being able to witness the fruits of their labor and take part in the harvest filled his heart with more joy than any business endeavor he’d achieved in the past.

As he turned the machine in the bog, he considered that the true meaning of life had evaded him. What good was it to be a successful businessman if you had no one to share life with? He frowned, his thoughts agitated like the water beneath him. Though he’d paid for Cyphorensic Technologies’ office lease a year in advance because he was offered a deal for doing so, without software and a programmer of John’s caliber, there was no company. Could he find an adequate replacement for John?

He noticed Riley again. This time she held Chad in her arms, and he waved at Zane. He smiled at his little guy.

His little guy?

Zane’s heart warmed at the thought. He admitted he’d grown to love Chad as if he were his own. His gaze wandered back to Riley. Without a thriving business, he believed he couldn’t offer them a future. More than anything, he wanted to give her security, stability.