closed blinds. Of course everyone already knew she was coming. Within minutes of her notifying the housekeeping service and asking them to deliver some fresh food and staples to the kitchen, dozens of people had known of her impending arrival. Within an hour, no doubt everyone had known. News traveled faster than a runaway zipper in this town … there were few secrets in Midnight. And since the whole town knew, that meant Zach knew, too.
Breath came from her in small spurts and her heart thudded heavily against her chest—almost like a panic attack. Ten years had passed. She was a different person now. The confidence and strength she had lacked back then she now possessed in abundance. And though she knew little to nothing about the adult Zach, she had heard he’d seen active battle. War changed a person. Sometimes it brought out the best, other times the worst. How had it changed him?
As usual, when she allowed herself to think about Zach, she wondered how their lives would have been different if he had kept his promise. Would it have changed things? Would they still be together, or would he have eventually broken her heart anyway? Had he thought he was doing the kind thing by going cold turkey? Who knows, maybe he had been right. She would never know. Maybe he wouldn’t have been the strong, emotional rock she had needed back then.
Breath shuddered through her. Three more blocks and she’d be on Wildefire Lane. So far, she had recognized no one. Hopefully her luck would hold. A good night’s sleep would give her the energy boost to face whatever came her way tomorrow.
The instant she made a left onto Magnolia Avenue, she knew she had made a mistake. Not only were two patrol cars and an ambulance blocking her way, a crowd of twenty or more stood in the middle of the road. All eyes were focused on Gertie’s Wash and Wait, a business that had been there as long as she could remember.
Knowing if she didn’t turn around soon, she’d be stuck in the crowd of onlookers, Savannah made a quick swoop into a parking space with the intent of making a U-turn. Halfway into the turn, her foot unconsciously slammed on the brake, jerking the car to a stop. A tall, broad-shouldered man with thick sandy-blond hair was stalking out of the laundromat. The shock of seeing Zach again was so great, Savannah barely registered the fact that he had a woman in his arms.
* * *
Zach cursed softly and creatively. Of all the times for Savannah to arrive. Lindsay Milan had been trying to get his attention ever since he’d come back to town. When she’d collapsed into his arms at the sound of a firecracker going off, it was as close as he’d ever been to touching her. The woman was twice divorced and was working hard to find number three. He had avoided her advances thus far, but when she had crumpled against him, he’d had no choice but to catch her. He’d almost believed she had fainted until he saw the small triumphant smile curving her mouth. Though he was tempted to set her down immediately, he’d decided to carry her outside first. Now he wished he had followed his first instinct, especially since Lindsay’s thin arms gripped his neck so tight, she was almost strangling him.
Lowering the woman’s feet to the sidewalk outside the laundromat, Zach did his best to let her go. Lindsay wasn’t having it. Her hold on his neck still tight, she leaned forward as if to kiss him. Zach jerked back, pulling at the fingers she had wrapped around his neck. The kiss she had intended for his mouth landed with a thud against his chest.
Exasperated, Zach grabbed Lindsay’s shoulder and pushed her away.
“Get your hands off her.”
Aw hell. Bad enough to have this woman throw herself at him every time he turned around, but to make matters worse, she was Clark Dayton’s sister.
Zach turned to face Dayton. “She passed out. You need to get her to a doctor.”
“That true, Lindsay?”
“I just felt dizzy for a minute. I’m fine.” She grimaced a strained smile up at Zach. “Zach was just being kind.”
Clark issued a sound between a grunt and a growl. “Let’s go home, girl.” His large, thick-fingered hand wrapped around his sister’s thin arm and flexed. A brief wince of pain flickered across Lindsay’s face.
Remembering some rumors of abuse from years ago, Zach eyed