might not have happened the way we were told. I had to investigate.”
“You think I blame you for investigating? That’s not my problem and you damn well know it. You’ve slept by my side for the past week and you kept this from me.”
Knowing why she didn’t tell him cut deep into his heart. “Look, I’ve apologized, Savannah. I know I hurt you and I’d give my life to change what I did ten years ago. I can’t go back, I can only go forward. You need to make a decision. Either you trust me or you don’t.”
With that ultimatum, he walked out the door.
CHAPTER
TWENTY SIX
Rain, like small dismal streams, drizzled down the windowpane. From the window of her bedroom, Savannah looked out into the water-drenched backyard. The gloom of the weather couldn’t have reflected her mood any better. She hadn’t slept all night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Zach’s face. She had never meant to hurt him.
Even as she had the thought, her conscience snarled a reprimand. How could he not be hurt? Even if he hadn’t learned the truth on his own and she had told him first, he would have asked her when she’d read the first letter. Not telling him immediately was a breach of his trust.
She had to come clean about everything. He would be hurt again, but the longer she waited, the worse it would be. Adrenaline-charged panic flooded through her, familiar and unwelcome. She took deep, cleansing breaths, fought for control and won. What remained was a cold lump of dread that settled in her chest. She didn’t talk about that time … hadn’t in years. But what would be worse? The pain of remembering or keeping the truth from Zach? He had every right to know.
A glance at her watch told her she was going to be late if she didn’t get a move on. Gibby’s house was only a few miles away, but the rain might slow her down. She hurriedly finished dressing and then ran down the staircase. Just as she reached the bottom step, she spotted Zach getting out of his patrol car.
Straightening her shoulders, she composed herself as she went to the door to let him in. She would invite him to come with her to Gibby’s. If her aunt had significant information, then Zach needed to hear it, too. And she would apologize again. Knowing she had hurt him was tearing her apart.
She opened the door before he could ring the bell. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to—”
The grim set of his face barely gave a warning of impending bad news. “I’m here in an official capacity.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s Gibby. Someone broke into her house last night.” He paused and softened his voice. “I’m sorry, Savannah. She looks to be in bad shape.”
The hospital in Midnight was more of a clinic than anything else. Though it had a half dozen beds and three full-time doctors, most people with life-threatening injuries or illnesses were transferred to County General in Mobile. Zach figured that’s where Gibby would end up.
The small waiting room was empty with the exception of him and Savannah. The uncomfortable plastic chair squeaked as he shifted his weight. Savannah paced back and forth in front of him. The worry and guilt etched on her face diminished his anger. Seeing Savannah hurting was a hell of a lot worse than anything she could do to him.
The doctors were still working on her aunt. So far, no one had updated them. The extent of her injuries was unknown but Zach had seen her before the ambulance arrived. No one deserved to be beaten like that, least of all a little elderly woman who’d never hurt anyone in her life. Her house had been cordoned off and his deputies were standing guard. As soon as he talked to the doctor, Zach planned to go back to the house and cover every square inch for evidence.
Savannah had been customarily calm until she’d gotten a glimpse of Gibby’s battered face through the small window of the emergency room door. Her gasp of distress had slashed at his self-righteous anger, bringing things into perspective. Finding out who’d hurt an elderly woman was his priority, not his bruised ego.
Abruptly stopping her pacing, she stood in front of him and whispered her words like a confession. “This is my fault.”
He’d known that was coming. He wasn’t about to let Savannah take the blame for the sick bastard who’d done