Midnight Secrets

chapter

NINE


Dusk was falling as Savannah entered downtown Midnight. It was summertime, which meant shopkeepers stayed open an hour later than during the winter months. Since it was going on eight o’clock, blinds were being drawn, door locks were clicking, and Open signs were being switched to Closed. Her timing couldn’t have been worse.

If she had wanted to avoid the attention her arrival would create, she shouldn’t have driven through town till at least an hour later, when it would be shut down with the exception of gas stations and restaurants. She could see glimpses of curious faces peeking through those closed blinds. Of course everyone already knew she was coming. Within minutes of her notifying the housekeeping service and asking them to deliver some fresh food and staples to the kitchen, dozens of people had known of her impending arrival. Within an hour, no doubt everyone had known. News traveled faster than a runaway zipper in this town … there were few secrets in Midnight. And since the whole town knew, that meant Zach knew, too.

Breath came from her in small spurts and her heart thudded heavily against her chest—almost like a panic attack. Ten years had passed. She was a different person now. The confidence and strength she had lacked back then she now possessed in abundance. And though she knew little to nothing about the adult Zach, she had heard he’d seen active battle. War changed a person. Sometimes it brought out the best, other times the worst. How had it changed him?

As usual, when she allowed herself to think about Zach, she wondered how their lives would have been different if he had kept his promise. Would it have changed things? Would they still be together, or would he have eventually broken her heart anyway? Had he thought he was doing the kind thing by going cold turkey? Who knows, maybe he had been right. She would never know. Maybe he wouldn’t have been the strong, emotional rock she had needed back then.

Breath shuddered through her. Three more blocks and she’d be on Wildefire Lane. So far, she had recognized no one. Hopefully her luck would hold. A good night’s sleep would give her the energy boost to face whatever came her way tomorrow.

The instant she made a left onto Magnolia Avenue, she knew she had made a mistake. Not only were two patrol cars and an ambulance blocking her way, a crowd of twenty or more stood in the middle of the road. All eyes were focused on Gertie’s Wash and Wait, a business that had been there as long as she could remember.

Knowing if she didn’t turn around soon, she’d be stuck in the crowd of onlookers, Savannah made a quick swoop into a parking space with the intent of making a U-turn. Halfway into the turn, her foot unconsciously slammed on the brake, jerking the car to a stop. A tall, broad-shouldered man with thick sandy-blond hair was stalking out of the laundromat. The shock of seeing Zach again was so great, Savannah barely registered the fact that he had a woman in his arms.

* * *

Zach cursed softly and creatively. Of all the times for Savannah to arrive. Lindsay Milan had been trying to get his attention ever since he’d come back to town. When she’d collapsed into his arms at the sound of a firecracker going off, it was as close as he’d ever been to touching her. The woman was twice divorced and was working hard to find number three. He had avoided her advances thus far, but when she had crumpled against him, he’d had no choice but to catch her. He’d almost believed she had fainted until he saw the small triumphant smile curving her mouth. Though he was tempted to set her down immediately, he’d decided to carry her outside first. Now he wished he had followed his first instinct, especially since Lindsay’s thin arms gripped his neck so tight, she was almost strangling him.

Lowering the woman’s feet to the sidewalk outside the laundromat, Zach did his best to let her go. Lindsay wasn’t having it. Her hold on his neck still tight, she leaned forward as if to kiss him. Zach jerked back, pulling at the fingers she had wrapped around his neck. The kiss she had intended for his mouth landed with a thud against his chest.

Exasperated, Zach grabbed Lindsay’s shoulder and pushed her away.

“Get your hands off her.”

Aw hell. Bad enough to have this woman throw herself at him every time he turned around, but to make matters worse, she was Clark Dayton’s sister.

Zach turned to face Dayton. “She passed out. You need to get her to a doctor.”

“That true, Lindsay?”

“I just felt dizzy for a minute. I’m fine.” She grimaced a strained smile up at Zach. “Zach was just being kind.”

Clark issued a sound between a grunt and a growl. “Let’s go home, girl.” His large, thick-fingered hand wrapped around his sister’s thin arm and flexed. A brief wince of pain flickered across Lindsay’s face.

Remembering some rumors of abuse from years ago, Zach eyed the two speculatively. Was this the reason she threw herself at any available man? She’d come back to live with her father and brother after her second divorce. Being an adult living back at home wasn’t fun. Coupled with having an overbearing, possibly abusive brother, it would be hell.

“I think it’d be a good idea for someone at the hospital to take a look at you,” Zach said.

Dayton pulled at his sister’s arm again. “She said she was fine.”

“Nevertheless, I think it would be a good idea.”

Catching the eye of an EMT, Zach jerked his head toward Lindsay. “Mrs. Milan needs some medical attention.”

Before Dayton could grumble another protest, Zach said, “Take the patrol car and follow behind the ambulance.”

The EMT led Lindsay toward the ambulance; Dayton gave Zach another cold look and then clomped after them.

Zach turned and addressed the small crowd of onlookers. “Show’s over, folks.”

“But what happened, Chief?” a male voice called out.

“Somebody thought it’d be a good idea to throw some fireworks in the clothes dryers.”

Their curiosity satisfied, most everyone turned away. A few stragglers moved several yards up the sidewalk. Finally the path was clear. A royal-blue Mustang convertible sat in the middle of the road, and behind the wheel was Savannah Wilde, staring at him. The light was dimming but he could make out her features. Her hair was still long … looked like it was pulled back, away from her face, in that prim, neat style she used to favor.

The familiar gut punch, one he hadn’t felt since he’d last seen her, kicked him like a mule, almost taking his breath. Their eyes locked briefly, but Zach didn’t move. He’d wait. Go over and talk to her later, let her know he’d be keeping an eye out for her, per her boss’s request. Having their first conversation in ten years in front of nosey and gossiping townspeople wasn’t a good idea.

He acknowledged her presence with a jerk of his head and turned away. He still had work to do here.

Savannah pressed on the gas pedal and shot forward, wincing as she narrowly missed hitting a group of people. Great. Not only had she stared at Zach like a drooling idiot, she had almost injured five or so of the town’s citizens.

“Way to avoid getting noticed, Savannah,” she muttered.

Zach had seen her—their eyes had made contact. And she’d gotten nothing from him other than a grim nod. She released a long shaky breath. Well, what had she expected? For him to run toward her with arms outstretched, declaring his love, along with an apology and an explanation? No, of course not. There was nothing he could say or do to change the past. Still, whether she wanted to admit it or not, his cool, barely there acknowledgment stung.

She didn’t spare a glance at the giant fountain in the middle of the town square—which used to be one of her favorite places in Midnight. Designed to look like a mimosa tree in full bloom, it had limbs that sprayed glistening water from tiny holes, making them look like mimosa petals. At night it was even more spectacular, with lights making the petals appear pink. When she lived here, it was rare for her to come to town and not stop to throw a penny into the fountain and make a wish. When they were dating, she and Zach would sometimes sit on a bench beside the fountain and talk for hours. Maybe that was the reason she couldn’t stand to look at it.

At last, she turned onto Wildefire Lane. Pulling into the drive, Savannah shifted into park and stared blankly ahead. That brief encounter with Zach had cracked the calm, impenetrable façade she’d worked so hard to develop for the last 450 miles. Now she felt open and exposed … vulnerable.

Her sigh weary, she opened the car door. Then, purse in one hand, keys in the other, she pulled herself from the car and stood in place, stretching her back and neck. Diversionary tactics. She was shoring herself up. When she’d been hundreds of miles away, it had been much easier to convince herself she was prepared for this upcoming emotional roller coaster. Now that she was here, the stark truth smacked her in the face. Memories emerged, denting and penetrating her ever-present defense shield.

The porch lights glowed brightly; they were set to automatically come on at dusk. Timers inside the mansion turned lights on and off at different times during the evening. The giant house looked warm, inviting, classically beautiful … and filled with love. At one time, that’s exactly what it had been—or so she had thought.

Memories, uninvited but inevitable, flooded her mind. She and her sisters had been at camp when it had happened. Their grandfather had arrived to break the news and bring them home. She still remembered her surprise and then immediate anxiety at seeing him there. Instantly she had known something was wrong. How Daniel Wilde had been able to hold it together still amazed her. Not only had he been grieving for the loss of his son and daughter-in-law, but he had to deal with the knowledge that his son was a murderer. He’d had to put his grief on hold to be there for his granddaughters.

Eighteen years ago, she and her sisters had left home excited, happy, and secure ten-year-olds; their only concern was having a good time. One day later, they had returned traumatized and devastated, their whole world crashing around them.

Shaking herself from the unhelpful introspection, Savannah pulled the small overnight bag from the trunk. She’d take her larger suitcase out tomorrow, when she had more energy. The minute she slid the key into the lock and turned the knob, more memories swamped her. Grim determination kept her feet moving forward.

She threw her keys on the table beside the door, briefly noting that the lilies in the vase were fresh. Twice a week, a local florist placed lilies, her grandmother’s favorite flower, throughout the house. It was something her grandmother Camille Wilde had adopted when she was newly married. Her husband, Daniel, had kept that tradition even after she died. Neither Savannah nor her sisters had the heart to discontinue the custom.

She walked across the shiny hardwood floor and then up the winding mahogany staircase, smiling faintly at the memory of sliding down the banister and bruising her bottom when she had landed abruptly halfway across the foyer. She quickly squelched the other part of that memory. The one where her father had laughingly picked her up and hugged her hard until she stopped crying.

When she got to the top of the stairs, she turned around on the landing and peered down into the grand old house. The expected desolation didn’t come. This was a beautiful home and deserved to have a family love it the way she and her family once had. Despite the difficult days ahead of her, she was suddenly glad she had come home. This was the final step in putting the past behind her. After seeing Zach’s reaction, it was obvious he’d done that, too.

The ringing of the doorbell had her running down the stairs again. She had hoped to have one night alone before the inevitable visiting began. Of course, maybe if she had been able to sneak in without being seen, that could have happened.

Shrugging resignedly, Savannah opened the door. The polite smile of welcome froze on her face as she stared at her visitor.

Zach stood on the porch, feeling like the awkward, gangly kid he’d once been. Maybe he should have waited until morning, given her a chance to rest. He’d told himself he just wanted to get this over with. He would explain that her boss had called and advised him of the threats against her. That he’d be on the lookout for anyone new or suspicious-looking. That he was here to help her if she needed it. Yes, those were the reasons he’d told himself he was here, and up until now, he had almost believed them. The instant the door opened and she stood before him, Zach knew all of those reasons were lies and excuses. How could she possibly be more beautiful than before?

Surprise flared in her eyes but she quickly recovered and gave him the blandest stare he could imagine. If he hadn’t seen the quick flash of emotion, he’d almost guess she didn’t recognize him.

“Hello, Savannah.”

“Zach.” She gave a nod of acknowledgment and maintained her hold on the door.

“Can I come in?”

Her grip on the door tightened noticeably. She wasn’t even going to bother to pretend she didn’t want him there.

“I really don’t feel up to company right now.”

It’d been a long time since Zach had felt inferior. After an upbringing that no one in their right mind could call pleasant or normal, he’d worked hard at recognizing that wealth had nothing to do with the quality of a person. Funny thing was, Savannah was the first person to help him realize that. Even though their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, she and her family had always treated him as an equal. And she had always treated him as if he was something special.

Until now.

“This is official business, not a social visit. It’s about the X-Kings and the threats against you.”

Her eyes narrowed and a frown of both confusion and suspicion appeared. At least she was giving him something besides that cool composure. Before he could appreciate the change, the bland expression returned. “How do you know about that?”

“Your boss called me.” Tired of waiting for an invitation that was apparently not going to come, Zach put his hand on the door and pushed it open. “This won’t take long.” He stepped inside, giving her the choice of either staying put and being within inches of him or backing away. And damn him for being disappointed that she backed away.

Her arms crossed in front of her, she now stood at least three feet away, leaving no doubt that she didn’t want to be anywhere close to him. “I don’t see that it’s any of your concern. It was a pointless threat made by an idiot.”

“It’s my concern because you’re in my town now. All residents, whether they’re permanent or not, have a right to protection. You’re no different.”

Ice replaced the bland expression that’d been irritating him. “Believe me, I’m more than aware of that, Zach.”

The words stung but the coldness hurt even more. “Then we need to talk about your safety.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. This house has an excellent security system and I have a handgun that I’m quite proficient with. There’s nothing you can do for me that I can’t do for myself.”

“That’s good … I’m glad you’re trained. I’ll still keep an eye out. Make sure you’re safe until you leave.”

Her lips, full and naked of anything but her natural pink color, trembled slightly before they stretched into the most fake smile she’d ever given him. “That’s very solicitous of you.” She started toward the front door. “I’ll be sure to let you know if anything comes up.”

“That’s it?” Zach blew out a sigh. “Hell, Savannah, you act like we’re strangers.”

“We are strangers, Zach. It’s been ten years. We’re different people. Very different.” She opened the door. “Good night.”

She was right. They weren’t the same people. So why the hell was his gut twisted with disappointment? Had he really expected anything else? Maybe he was lucky she didn’t use her gun to force him out of the house. Did he deserve anything less?

Shrugging off the odd, inappropriate feelings of hurt, Zach gave her a curt nod and went through the door. He heard it close behind him and then the locks clicked. Yeah, that sounded about right.