Page 21 of Summer Ever After

“What’s up?” she finally asked when they stopped on the middle of the dock. Her voice carried an undertone of unease that he recognized immediately. Something about his posture, the slight tension in his jaw, had clued her in that there was something wrong.

Aaron leaned against the railing, folding his arms. “I need to update you on something.”

“Okay…” She took a deep breath. “You found the sedan?”

He nodded quickly. “It circled the lot about an hour ago,” he began, keeping his voice calm and even. “We got a good picture of the plate and traced the car. It belongs to a private investigator who was hired by Ian to watch you.”

He watched for her reaction and was slightly surprised when her eyes narrowed.

“That idiot.” Her voice cracked, disbelief bleeding through.

Aaron’s gaze softened at her strength. “The PI claims that Ian was worried that you might be… seeing someone. So he had the man watching you.” He let the words sink in. “Up until about an hour ago, he’d just been following you. However, when he came onto the grounds, he put a tracking device on your car.” Her eyes went wide with worry. “Don’t worry, I’ve already removed it, and I threw it in the pond.”

He watched her eyes water as she bit her bottom lip with worry.

He moved closer, one hand resting lightly on the railing near hers, careful not to crowd her. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now. I promise. I’m right here.”

“I… I can’t… I can’t believe he is still at it. It’s been almost five years.” She turned slightly towards him. “Isn’t he bored? Why can’t he move on? It’s not like I’m anything…” She dropped off.

“What?” he said when she didn’t continue. “Special?” His voice went softer, more grounding.

“Yeah. Look at me.” She motioned to herself. “He told me often when we were married that he never liked anything about me. From my hair to the color of the nail polish I used on my toes.” She waved her hand over her body as if that somehow explained everything.

“All I see is a very attractive, kind, and incredibly strong woman,” he said, instantly regretting that he didn’t have better words. Soft, romantic words that she deserved.

She seemed to soften though. “Why can’t he just leave me alone?”

“I imagine that you’re the only thing that has gotten away from him,” he said, somehow understanding. “He’s a child.”

Beth’s eyes flicked up, meeting his. “Is that what you think?”

He nodded. “I took a few psychology classes. Men like him are controlling abusers. They want what they can’t have. He had you, lost you, and now wants you to pay. In his mind, you’re at fault. He thinks he can get away with it, but…”—he shifted slightly, bringing them a little closer—“we’re here to protect you.”

There was relief in her eyes, gratitude… and a little something more.

Her hand shifted slightly closer to his, not quite touching but close enough to make him acutely aware of the move.

When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re here. You told me instead of keeping me in the dark.” His eyes narrowed slightly and she smiled. “I have a confession.”

His eyebrows rose. “Okay,” he said a little slowly.

“Brett told Lea, who told Zoey… so naturally, all of the Wildflowers know everything. I wasn’t told all the details, but I was told enough about fifteen minutes ago. I held it together since I also know that everyone was on standby if I couldn’t handle the news.” She rolled her shoulders slightly. “I must admit, I’m trying to not have a panic attack right now.”

“I get it,” he said in a low tone. “And if you need to have a full panic attack, I’ll be right here.”

Beth blinked, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “I think I’m over it. I mean, how much he’s put me through.” She shook her head. “I’m just numb to it all now.” She turned slightly towards him. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me,” he said, feeling his gut twist. He didn’t want her gratitude. What he wanted was to gather her up and kiss her until they both forgot time and place. Every time she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, his insides did little flips as he dreamed of what her lips would taste like.

He wanted to press her body against his, please her until the sun came up, and then do it all over again.

This thought had him taking a giant step backwards and saying loudly, “I should walk you to your car.”

She blinked a few times and then nodded. He felt like a heel for wanting something he had no right to.