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He gave her a long look, then shook his head. “Not at first.”

“Then when.”

“The night in the barn when we—” He paused and glanced at Dani.

“You knew after you kissed me? After I bared my soul to you?” Her voice trembled as the hurt and anger twisted around her windpipe.

“I didn’t know until you told me about how Lauren died. Then, I wanted to come clean. So many times.”

“Why didn’t you?” The weight of his betrayal compressed her chest, leaving her gasping for air.

“I didn’t know how, because I knew the moment I did I would lose you.” His last couple of words had been spoken so low she’d barely heard him.

“Lose me? Didn’t you think I’d learn the truth eventually?”

“The truth isn’t what you think it is, Sadie.” Dani moved between them.

Sadie glared at Dani. “You stay out of this. You’re nearly as guilty as he is.”

A drop of water hit Sadie on the nose. She wiped it away and ran a hand over her destroyed Gibson Girl-style updo.

Asher took a step toward her. “Dani had nothing to do with this except in keeping her word to me. I planned to tell you right after my aunt and uncle returned to the island. I wanted them to see what I’d achieved with the tour.” He glanced out the large storefront window. “Looks like that’s pretty much destroyed too.” He turned back to her. “You were so vocal in how much you hated the band and me that I wanted to prove I could be trusted. And maybe you’d be able to see who I am today, not who I used to be.”

Sadie’s eyes widened. “So, your lies are my fault?”

Asher’s face twisted. “That’s not what I said. You claim to want a real relationship, but you don’t trust well.”

“With good reason. People can’t be trusted. You and Dani proved that.” She pulled the keys out of her pocket and slapped them on the counter. “I’m done with the festival,” she said quietly, her voice barely audible over the patter of rain. “And I’m done with the both of you.”

Dani shot Sadie one last sorrowful look and ducked under Asher’s arm. Wrenching the door open, she grasped the brim of her hood and hurried down the sidewalk into the storm.

“Be mad at me as much as you want, but Dani doesn’t deserve that.” With that, Asher walked out the door.

Somewhere in the building, the pipes groaned and rattled, nearly shaking the walls. A loud pop exploded in the kitchen.

Sadie hurried to the swinging kitchen door and pushed it open as a burst of water showered over her from the ceiling. Water quickly pooled at her feet and formed streams coursing out into the dining area.

She looked for the water main but couldn’t see where to turn anything off. Picking up her skirts, she raced for the door, trying not to skate in the river of water streaming through the shop.

Defeat chased her out into the storm as she headed for Martha’s to get some help.

With her trust shredded and the bakery ruined, what hope remained for her to stay on island?

And Gran wouldn’t be able to stay in her cottage now.

Chapter Fourteen

Why did she always fall for the liars?

All cried out, Sadie was left with nothing but a raging headache and a broken heart scattered across the island.

Late afternoon shadows cloaked Gran’s guest room as Sadie sat on the bed with her back pressed against the headboard. With her computer on her lap, she scrolled through the numerous websites that showed images of a burned bus and told the story of the tragic accident. Then she slipped down the rabbit hole of forums that thrived on conspiracy theories and speculation. So many people questioned the rumors of drugs and alcohol and wondered where Eli Noble had been hiding for the past five years.

His most recent exposure had been plastered on social media, showing him sitting on the carriage with headlines screaming, “From Rock Star to Carriage Driver.”

Lily and Mia had stopped by earlier and mentioned people were coming to the island in droves, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but she didn’t want to hear it.

She was done with Eli Noble. And Asher Quinn.