Presumed Dead. Angela Strong Ruth
to spend the rest of his life in prison? He would never do that to her.
At least this way, everyone believed he’d died a hero. It was better for his family. And for Holly.
“I wish it were that easy,” he said. Especially now that Holly knew he was alive and stood so close and cared so much.
She huffed and preceded him out the door. Nix on the “stood so close” part. And quite possibly the “cared so much” part.
He squeezed his fingers into fists. Too bad he didn’t know the identity of the person who belonged at the end of his cross and uppercut. He’d settle for either the person who’d sabotaged his operation or the bomber who’d broken into his cabin. Or even Caleb. The man was an idiot for not protecting Holly the way he should have.
How many times would Preston have to give vengeance over to God? Always once more?
This is getting worse, Lord. He’d point out the obvious. Make sure God knew he still needed help. Help me stay strong because I’m feeling pretty weak right now.
His weak spot waited on the Jet Ski.
He shouldn’t have even let her go out there alone. He needed to get her to the police as quickly as possible. She’d be safer with them than she was with him. He’d be safer, too.
He avoided looking at Holly directly as he joined her on the watercraft. And she held on to seat handles to avoid touching him as they made their way back across the lake. Or maybe she held on to the handles because he had the drawstring bag on his back.
Either way, God was giving him the help he’d needed. But it felt hollow somehow. Empty. Lonely. Though he should be used to that.
He cut the engine a few cabins down to stay out of sight of the emergency workers swarming the smoke-scented rubble. Turning halfway around, he spoke over his shoulder. “You’re not going to tell police about me, are you?”
She bit her lip. “I will investigate the SOAR sabotage, but as that’s not connected to this bombing, there’s no reason for me to mention your existence to police today.”
That would have to do for the moment. “Fair enough.”
She lifted her eyes to his. “Where are you going from here? Don’t you know anyone in the military who could help clear your name?”
Preston met her gaze. “I do have an old friend who used to be a JAG attorney.”
Holly looked away. She wouldn’t know he was already aware of her broken engagement, and she obviously didn’t want to tell him about it. “I’ve got my bathing suit on underneath my jeans. I’ll swim back to the cabin, and I’m sure investigators will never imagine I’ve been riding around on a Jet Ski with you.”
“Thank you.” He exhaled in relief. She may not be happy with the situation, but hey, neither was he. “Hopefully, they can figure out who set the bomb, and you won’t need me anymore.”
She searched his eyes before twisting away to pull her sweatshirt over her head.
“Tell the detective you passed a navy blue Jeep Cherokee with California plates as you pulled in. I didn’t get the full plate number, but it starts with a 5AO.”
“5AO,” she repeated dutifully.
This wasn’t how he’d imagined a reunion with her. But it wasn’t really a reunion. He was only there to keep her safe. He focused on the scene she’d be heading back to. Fire engines sprayed water onto smoldering log remains. Police questioned neighbors. An array of boats slowed so passengers could rubberneck. A silver Jaguar pulled down the drive.
Preston’s stomach warmed. His gaze swiveled toward Holly to see if she’d noticed the vehicle.
She scanned the beach as if in a daze, and he knew the moment her gaze hit the Jag. She dropped back down onto the seat behind him, but she didn’t say anything.
If she didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t mention Caleb’s arrival, but he hadn’t forgotten the man’s presence. And there was no way he could let Holly spend time alone with her former fiancé on what should have been the weekend of their wedding. What if Caleb took her roller coaster of emotions for another ride?
“After you talk to the police, I want you to go stay at that lodge where our parents used to take us for barbecue ribs. I will come check on you.”
No response.
Preston looked over his shoulder.
Holly watched Caleb park. It hurt to think that she’d gone from trying to help Preston to focusing on the other man so quickly. Even though Preston hadn’t wanted her help in the first place. He’d wanted her to forget him so she could move on with her life. But the reality of it all stung like shrapnel.
“Holly?”
She blinked and turned to him, though her eyes remained distant.
He shouldn’t blame her. She’d had quite a day. “Where are you going after you talk to the police?”
She stared. Maybe she hadn’t heard him. Maybe she was going into shock. “Cedar Glen.”
Good. He tilted his head toward the water, indicating it was time for her to dive in. The sooner she answered police questions, got rid of her ex and was safely at the lodge, the sooner he would be able to see her again. But that didn’t make letting her go any easier.
Holly stumbled up the beach, her body trembling and dripping from the swim. She didn’t want to talk to anybody. Especially not Caleb.
Preston’s return had hit her like the force of water from a fire hose. And his dismissal had left her feeling much like the crumbling remnants of the cabin. Not to mention the attempts on her life.
“Holly.” Caleb’s brand-new, colorful hiking boots slipped in the gravel as he rushed to her with a fireman’s blanket. “You’re alive. Do you know what happened here? I was scared to death. How’d you escape?”
Holly tensed at his attention. She wasn’t his to worry about anymore. “Calm down, Caleb. I’m fine.” Fine. Ha. Who was she kidding?
“That is such a relief.” He wrapped the scratchy blanket around her shivering shoulders, which would have been nice if he hadn’t kept his arm around her, as well. “I’m just thankful you weren’t in the cabin. Did you go swimming as soon as you got here?”
She shrugged out of his grip and ignored the question. But at least Caleb had been concerned for her welfare and was now acting thoughtful. She would have expected him to take off on their honeymoon with his new girlfriend.
“Thanks for the blanket.” Her teeth chattered. It may be June, but the lake temperature only varied eight degrees from winter to summer.
Caleb tried to wrap his arms around her again.
She shook him off. Not happening. “What are you doing here?”
“The neighbors called your parents when the cabin exploded, and they called me to see if I knew where you were.”
Holly eyed him. Mom must have been really worried about her if she’d asked Caleb for help. Though how had he gotten to her cabin so fast?
“I’m so thankful you weren’t injured. I never got the chance to tell you how horrible I feel about what happened between us, Holly. It was a mistake. And actually I was planning to stay on my boat in hopes you’d call me so I could drive over here, and we might work this out.” He gripped her hand. “Please.”
She grimaced at his touch. There was nothing to work out. Particularly not now that the first man she’d ever loved had shown up alive again. As dishonest as Preston’s death was, his presence reminded her how good they’d had it once upon a time. And Caleb was not once-upon-a-time material. She