Page 104 of The Aster Valley Collection, Vol. 1

TRUMAN

I knew I was taking a risk. My brain agreed with Barney. Why in the world would I trust someone I’d barely known a handful of days? I had a history of being proven time and time again that people weren’t trustworthy.

But I refused to give up trusting people. And I refused to tell my heart—the heart that had never gotten what it wanted, what it deserved —that it had been wrong about Sam.

Besides, why in the world would he have burned down my spice shop? He had no motive, and his best friend was one of my best customers.

I pulled back from the kiss but stayed close enough to enjoy the feel of Sam’s arms wrapped around me. “I know you didn’t burn down my shop. Besides, I went into your saddlebags for the gummy bears the other day, remember? And the beads definitely weren’t in there then.”

Sam’s eyes closed in relief for a moment, but when they opened again, he looked warily at Deputy Stone as if waiting for the metal slap of cuffs against his wrists.

I belatedly realized Barney had made a choking, gurgling sound, so my eyes flashed to him in time to see his apoplectic response to my kissing Sam.

“You’ve lost your mind,” he sputtered. “This man has brainwashed you. How could you… how…?” He suddenly sat down hard in his chair and dropped his face in his hands. He looked like he was going to pass out. I felt a little sorry for him.

Deputy Stone looked around at the group gathered in the lodge’s kitchen. “Would someone care to explain the significance of the beads?”

Thankfully, Chaya jumped in to explain while I gently extracted myself from Sam’s embrace and went over to Barney. “Let me walk you out.”

He looked up at me with an expression I’d never seen on him before. Defeat.

“Yes. Fine.”

I felt Sam’s eyes on me as I led Barney through the kitchen and outside. He didn’t follow me which was a testament to his self-control. I knew he wanted nothing more than to boot Barney off the lodge property, but he respected me enough to let me handle it myself.

When we got to Barney’s car, he turned and grasped my upper arms. “I just want what’s best for you.”

I shrugged out of his grip. “I know.”

“You shouldn’t have to carry these burdens alone. You deserve someone to take care of you, to treat you like the precious man you are.”

I offered him a small smile. “Thank you. I agree.”

“I don’t understand how…” He sighed and dropped his shoulders. “It no longer matters. Clearly you have chosen your preferred course. I can only caution you to be careful.”

I nodded. “I will.”

His hands shook as he lifted one to run it over his hair. A few thin wisps caught in the breeze and blew the wrong way, making him look older and more vulnerable somehow.

“I’m sorry,” I added softly. “I never meant to hurt you.”

Barney stared at me for a moment as if trying to memorize my features. It wasn’t like we were never going to see each other again. We lived in the same small town, and I even hoped to be able to volunteer at the library again someday.

“Nor I, you,” he said gently. His eyes softened. “I only wanted to keep you from harm.”

“I know. And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done to care for me.”

Because I was. He’d been there for me many times when others hadn’t.

Now that it was pretty clear the Stanners were probably responsible for the fire, and we knew they were the ones who’d done both hit-and-runs, I realized Barney was the one who’d tried to protect me from them the most. Even though I didn’t agree with his heavy-handed methods, I was grateful for his attempts.

“Alright,” Barney said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll leave you and your… friends alone. But please promise you’ll call if you change your mind and need anything at all.”

“Of course I will. Thank you.”

There was a pause, and then Barney said, “I think… I think I’m going to take some time off. Head to a cabin and catch up on some reading.” He moved toward the kitchen door. “So if you can’t get a hold of me, I’m probably out of range. But you have Chaya, and you have… other friends, so…”

“I’ll be fine, Barney,” I urged. “Enjoy your time away.”

He looked at me again for a moment before leaning in to kiss my cheek. And if he pressed his face against mine for a few beats too long, it was easily excused as the final gesture of a chapter that was long overdue for an ending.

I turned back to the lodge and walked eagerly toward the new chapter.

The one that opened with my need to pin the Stanner family to the wall for everything they’d ever done to me.