“I overheard my father shouting at her for being with you. He told her it had to stop, otherwise there would be consequences, which doesn’t make sense considering he didn’t fire you.”
“I’m not sure why he kept us working at the house, although it would have been hard to find someone else to finish what we’d started.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about Christina, although, I do think that you have the wrong idea about her.” Alex turned Saige to face him. “So why don’t you find a time to chat with her and see what she has to say. If you push her, you might get her to talk more than I can.”
Saige shook her head lightly and chuckled. “I’m sure you’d be able to get her to talk if you really tried.”
He tilted his head to the side, studying her. “Why aren’t you bothered about Christina and me?”
Saige bit her lip. “I didn’t only find out about Christina’s affair with you that day. I also learned about my father’s numerous affairs. Apparently, he only married Christina for her money, which I have to say, I had no idea she came into the marriage with any. I feel sorry for her really. I’m also upset that I’m discovering a different side to my father.” She shrugged. “I always thought he was a pleasant, caring guy. I’m not sure anymore that that’s who he really is.”
Alex wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her close, wanting to offer her comfort, and maybe, have some comfort for a change.
Sighing, Saige settled against him and he wondered what she was thinking…or remembering.
He’d had a soft spot for her when they first met, and more so after she’d put a smile back on his brother’s face. She’d made Quinten happy, and Alex had finally started to believe that she would again. He had hope for the first time in a long time that everything would work out for his brother.
He also had an idea on where to start looking for the man who assisted Jocelyn with Saige.
* * *
10:30am
* * *
“Hey, Quinten.”
He looked up as the guard stood in front of the cell but stayed silent.
“The warden has been called to a meeting with the governor, first thing tomorrow morning while they consider a stay.” The guard shrugged. “Thought you’d want to know.” He walked away.
Quinten clutched Saige’s book in his hand and held it against his chest while he absorbed the shock. As much as he’d hoped, he didn’t really believe that his case would get as far as being heard.
He moved slowly to his bed and laid down, the book still clutched against his chest.
A stay didn’t mean he would be free. It meant that he’d have time…and the doubts that were being cast would put things in the right direction toward a new trial with a new jury. The case had been a mess. The supermajority vote shouldn’t have happened. He always believed there should be an all juror vote on a death penalty case. Something that still wouldn’t happen unless the law was changed within the state.
He’d think about all that later and just pray that the governor’s decision was in his favor.
* * *
6:15pm
* * *
Saige had been restless for most of the day, which was why she’d decided to take a walk to the boathouse. The small jetty ran into the ocean and used to harbor her father’s boat, before he’d sold it.
Sitting with her feet dangling in the water, Saige looked out over the peaceful water and wished that her mind was just as calm. She just wanted it all over with so that she could get on with her life, hopefully with Quinten.
If only...
The creek of the first wooden plank drew Saige’s attention back toward the boathouse. She watched as Christina hesitated and then slowly moved closer. A slither of guilt crossed her mind, causing Saige to frown. She’d always had a love-hate relationship with her stepmother, but since she remembered what Christina and her father’s relationship had been like, she felt guilty for not giving the woman a chance, regardless of her father’s thoughts on the matter.
“Mind if I join you,” Christina asked, her hands fluttering nervously in front of her.
Saige nodded.
Once Christina was sitting beside her, silence followed until Saige couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s going on?”
Christina sighed and glanced back toward the main house. “Lots of things.” She swiped at one of her eyes.
“Christina?”
“You know about Alex and me, don’t you?” Christina looked at her.
“Yes.”
Christina smiled and left the tears that ran down her face. “I married your father to get away from my controlling family. I was in my twenties and still jumped when they told me to do something. I hated it. Except I jumped from the frying pan into the fire.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “Then I met Alex. He was everything I wasn’t supposed to be attracted to, but I couldn’t stop it and, for the first time in my life, I was in love. I was stuck between being with him and staying here for you.” She shrugged.