the two speculatively. Was this the reason she threw herself at any available man? She’d come back to live with her father and brother after her second divorce. Being an adult living back at home wasn’t fun. Coupled with having an overbearing, possibly abusive brother, it would be hell.
“I think it’d be a good idea for someone at the hospital to take a look at you,” Zach said.
Dayton pulled at his sister’s arm again. “She said she was fine.”
“Nevertheless, I think it would be a good idea.”
Catching the eye of an EMT, Zach jerked his head toward Lindsay. “Mrs. Milan needs some medical attention.”
Before Dayton could grumble another protest, Zach said, “Take the patrol car and follow behind the ambulance.”
The EMT led Lindsay toward the ambulance; Dayton gave Zach another cold look and then clomped after them.
Zach turned and addressed the small crowd of onlookers. “Show’s over, folks.”
“But what happened, Chief?” a male voice called out.
“Somebody thought it’d be a good idea to throw some fireworks in the clothes dryers.”
Their curiosity satisfied, most everyone turned away. A few stragglers moved several yards up the sidewalk. Finally the path was clear. A royal-blue Mustang convertible sat in the middle of the road, and behind the wheel was Savannah Wilde, staring at him. The light was dimming but he could make out her features. Her hair was still long … looked like it was pulled back, away from her face, in that prim, neat style she used to favor.
The familiar gut punch, one he hadn’t felt since he’d last seen her, kicked him like a mule, almost taking his breath. Their eyes locked briefly, but Zach didn’t move. He’d wait. Go over and talk to her later, let her know he’d be keeping an eye out for her, per her boss’s request. Having their first conversation in ten years in front of nosey and gossiping townspeople wasn’t a good idea.
He acknowledged her presence with a jerk of his head and turned away. He still had work to do here.
Savannah pressed on the gas pedal and shot forward, wincing as she narrowly missed hitting a group of people. Great. Not only had she stared at Zach like a drooling idiot, she had almost injured five or so of the town’s citizens.
“Way to avoid getting noticed, Savannah,” she muttered.
Zach had seen her—their eyes had made contact. And she’d gotten nothing from him other than a grim nod. She released a long shaky breath. Well, what had she expected? For him to run toward her with arms outstretched, declaring his love, along with an apology and an explanation? No, of course not. There was nothing he could say or do to change the past. Still, whether she wanted to admit it or not, his cool, barely there acknowledgment stung.
She didn’t spare a glance at the giant fountain in the middle of the town square—which used to be one of her favorite places in Midnight. Designed to look like a mimosa tree in full bloom, it had limbs that sprayed glistening water from tiny holes, making them look like mimosa petals. At night it was even more spectacular, with lights making the petals appear pink. When she lived here, it was rare for her to come to town and not stop to throw a penny into the fountain and make a wish. When they were dating, she and Zach would sometimes sit on a bench beside the fountain and talk for hours. Maybe that was the reason she couldn’t stand to look at it.
At last, she turned onto Wildefire Lane. Pulling into the drive, Savannah shifted into park and stared blankly ahead. That brief encounter with Zach had cracked the calm, impenetrable façade she’d worked so hard to develop for the last 450 miles. Now she felt open and exposed … vulnerable.
Her sigh weary, she opened the car door. Then, purse in one hand, keys in the other, she pulled herself from the car and stood in place, stretching her back and neck. Diversionary tactics. She was shoring herself up. When she’d been hundreds of miles away, it had been much easier to convince herself she was prepared for this upcoming emotional roller coaster. Now that she was here, the stark truth smacked her in the face. Memories emerged, denting and penetrating her ever-present defense shield.
The porch lights glowed brightly; they were set to automatically come on at dusk. Timers inside the mansion turned lights on and off at different times during the evening. The giant