Darling went into the house determined to wash the tears from her face and pack an overnight bag. She needed some alone time to pull herself together before she called her father. How could Logan have done this to her? As much of a creep as she thought he was, she never would have suspected him of trying to drive her off her property. She started shaking again, thinking about how close she might have come to being burned alive this afternoon.
The tears started up the minute she looked out her bedroom window to the beautiful lake. She was no longer sure she could stay here, even after the kerosene was cleaned up. To make matters worse, Ross wanted to apologize. Madison had already spoken to her twice about the whole situation, so she wasn’t exactly shocked that he’d turned up. She just wasn’t sure she could stay strong and send him away. It was so damn tempting just to take whatever scraps of attention he would offer her and gather them tightly to her heart. She wouldn’t do that; she wasn’t that weak woman anymore. She’d learned that you can’t make someone love you, and you can’t fix someone who’s broken. She didn’t need to read one of those “don’t be an idiot, he doesn’t really love you” books to understand what was going on. Ross wasn’t interested or wasn’t capable of giving her a commitment. She wouldn’t just settle. Despite what he might have accused her of, she was no groupie and she didn’t use people.
She was proud of herself today. She didn’t fall apart or crumble. She reacted to the crisis, managed to listen to Ross, and walked away with her dignity intact. Now she would pack a few things and find a cheap motel. Maybe after a hot bath and a strong drink she would be able to call her dad.
She flicked off the hallway light and picked up her overnight bag. At the bottom of the stairs, she spotted Sheriff Brinkman standing with Ross in her kitchen. Ross’ hair was wet and his shirt missing. Now what? Sheriff Brinkman appeared uncomfortable, and Ross was watching her as if she was about to bolt out the door past him.
The sheriff was the first to break the silence. “Darling, I don’t know how else to do this other than to just say it. I think we just found your mom’s remains chained to the bottom of a broken dock post.” He pulled his hat off, placing it respectfully across his torso.
Ross took a couple of steps toward her and reached out. “I’m so sorry, baby. I dove in for my keys, saw something metallic, and—” She stumbled into his arms, dropping her bag. He stroked her back and tucked her head under his chin.
She turned her face sideways from his chest and looked at Sheriff Brinkman.
“Do you know how? I mean, was it an accident?” she asked quietly.
“We’ll know more after the coroner, you know, examines the remains, but it doesn’t seem accidental, not the way the body, I mean your mom, was weighted down. Darling, I’m sorry. I can only hope finally getting some answers will help you and your dad. I investigated fifteen years ago and can’t believe we missed this. Hell, we even dragged a good section of the lake and came up empty.” He dropped his shoulders and stepped back.