Saving Sarah

by Nan Reinhardt

  “I don’t think he can track you here.” Doubt filled Henry’s tone as Tony simply sat gaping at her. “How could he?”

  She gave a snort of grim laughter. “He’ll find me, Henry. Who knows how? I’d guess he’s probably hired a private detective by now or he’s using online search apps.” Sarah glanced down at her whitening knuckles. With an effort, she unclenched her hands and stretched her fingers. “When he turned up in Chicago in April, I wasn’t even surprised really. It was inevitable he’d find me. So I grabbed the first thing within reach—the stupid skillet—and I hit him. Then I ran…again.” Dropping her head back, she closed her eyes and released a huge sigh. “He’s cunning and he’s smart and he’s evil”—she opened her eyes and looked directly at Tony—“and he doesn’t ever lose.”

  “Sarah, you’ve got a new name now and you’re miles from Chicago and even farther from Georgia. I know the internet makes it hard for people to hide, but I truly think you’re safe here.” Julie dismissed her fear with a wave of her hand, but her blue eyes were huge.

  “I’ll never understand why someone would want to be with a person who didn’t want them,” Sophie said.

  Will nodded in agreement. “Me, either. Surely he’s figured out you’re done. You don’t want to be with him anymore. He needs to move on.”

  “I wish he could do that, but he won’t. I know him.” Sarah clenched her fist again and tapped the table with it. “He’s relentless. He won’t give up until he finds me and beats me. And I don’t mean literally, although I’m sure he’ll do that, too, if he has the chance. I mean, he’s a narcissist of the first order, a true sociopath, and he has to win. You guys, this town, you all can’t spend your lives watching my back. The best thing I can do is make a careful plan and leave.”

  Henry thrust his fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair and raised one finger. “But, Sarah, if you leave, aren’t you just giving him control again? Letting your fear of his actions keep you from being happy?”

  Sarah eyed him from across the table. He had a point, but he didn’t know Paul Prescott.

  Liam crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Well, okay, that settles it. You won’t be spending a single night here alone.”

  “No, she won’t.” Tony’s quiet deep voice and the look of determination on his face when she finally met his eyes again sent a shiver through her. “I’ll be here with her. I’ll move in too.”

  Sarah gave him a faint smile. “My own personal cop?” She touched his stubbled cheek with one finger. “I adore you for suggesting it and nothing would make me happier than to live with you, Deputy, but that would put you in so much danger. I couldn’t bear anything happening to you.”

  An expression Sarah had never seen before crossed Tony’s face and, without taking his eyes off her, he said, “Guys, could we have the room, please?”

  * * * *

  Tony didn’t believe he’d seen his friends vacate a room that fast or that quietly before—ever—but mere seconds later, all six of them were out the door, taking the trash bags with them. Sarah still sat with one hand pressed to her chest, gazing into his eyes. He’d never seen such sadness on anyone’s face and his heart tore a little. When she didn’t speak, he glanced away. “Were you planning on discussing this with me before you booked a flight?” He didn’t even try to keep the bitterness out of his tone. This was so not the conversation he’d planned to have with her tonight—not by a long shot.

  She sighed. “Yes. Of course. I’m sorry. It just came out—”

  “Sarah, for God’s sake. I thought we had something special going here.” He shook his head, trying to clear his brain, desperately trying to understand what she was thinking. She was safe here; surely, she knew that by now.

  “We do.” Her breath hitched. “Tony, I–I’m in love with you.” She whispered the words he’d been longing to hear. Yet, somehow, they weren’t warming his heart the way he’d expected.

  “I’m in love with you too.” When he gently lifted her chin, her lip quivered. “That’s a good thing, right?”

  “I’ve never been happier in my life, but it’s because I love you that I have to go.” She raised both hands, palms up, in defeat. “Don’t you see? You’re not safe with me. If he knew we were together, he’d kill you and then me and then anyone else who ever knew and supported us.”

  “Honey, he’s just one man. I know you see him as a monster, but I can protect you. I promise I—” He stopped when she put one finger against his lips.

  “He is a monster,” she said firmly. “And he won’t stop hunting me down. I know him. He’s cold and ruthless and calculating.”

  “Listen to me, please.” Tony grasped her hand and pressed a gentle kiss into her palm before he knit their fingers together. “Do you want to leave?” He held his breath.

  “No.” She shook her head firmly, then repeated. “No. I love it here. I love this town and the villagers and the Posse, but most of all I love you. I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished this summer and, if I could, I’d stay here forever.”

  “Okay.” He sighed. “Next question. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “I trust you implicitly. But Tony, he won’t give—”

  This time he put one finger against her soft mouth. “Then marry me.”

  Sarah simply gaped at him.

  “Please…if you’ll have me, I want us to get married,” he repeated, tugging her off the stool and placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll get down on one knee right now if you want all the sappy stuff, Sarah. We’ll do this however you like. The simple facts are I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m getting grayer by the minute, sweetheart, and I don’t want to wait another second to start our life together.”

  * * * *

  “Tony, I-I…” Sarah floundered, too astounded to speak. Dear God, had he really asked her to marry him? But how could she endanger him—this beautiful man who’d helped her turn her life right side up with his patience and kindness and love?

  “Hey, you want romance? I can do sappy better than most.” With his dimples in full bloom and warm honey lights in his eyes, Tony knelt before her. “Susannah Elizabeth Boatwright, will you marry me and grant me the honor of sharing the remainder of life’s joys and sorrows with you?”

  After his astonishing use of her birth name, Sarah didn’t think he could shock her further, but when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red leather box, her heart damn near stopped. Opening it, he revealed a simple pear-cut ruby set in old-fashioned gold filigree—the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen—nestled in gray velvet. With a gasp, she clutched her hands to her chest, unable to tear her eyes from Tony’s handsome, earnest face.

  Good God, he’s serious. He’s been planning this.

  “I actually meant to do this after we’d had a little more time together—you know, like over a romantic dinner. But I just picked up the ring from the bank this afternoon, so I’m hoping it’s fate that it’s in my pocket.” Tony shot her that disarming smile. “This ring was my grandmother’s. Grand-père bought it for her in Paris right before they immigrated to the States. He chose a ruby because she had red hair and a fiery spirit like you, and the stone made him think of her.” Tony reached out and set the box in her palm. Her fingers closed around it automatically. “I knew from the moment you pulled a gun on me that you were the woman who was meant to wear it next.”

  Dazed beyond words, Sarah gulped. She should speak—say something intelligent. Somehow her vocabulary had suddenly gone missing. Perhaps it was possible to marry him, stay in Willow Bay, and make a life with him, helping other abused women. A wave of strength surged through her as she stared into Tony’s dark amber eyes. Together, they could face anything—even a monster… Couldn’t they?

  Still on one knee, Tony gazed up at her, love shining in his face. “Sarah, say something.”

  * * * *

  Sarah still stood with one hand pressed t
o her chest and the other clutching the ring box. Tony’s knee ached a little, so he rose, wincing when it crunched. Taking her by the hand, he backed her onto a stool and sat beside her. “I, um, I may have misjudged my romantic moment.”

  Sarah opened her fingers, stared at the box, and blinked as a tear crept from the corner of her eye. “No,” she whispered, then cleared her throat and said more loudly, “No, you didn’t. You just…floored me.”

  “In a good way?” Tony realized how inane that sounded as soon as the words came out, but his heart was bouncing between his socks and his throat. Had he blown this thing completely?

  The smile he’d been waiting—hoping for—finally appeared. It was gorgeous, even through tears. “In a very good way.” She leaned over to press a soft, salty kiss on his lips.

  Instinct told him to let her take charge now, so even though he was longing to pull her into his arms and kiss her stupid, he kept his hands in his lap. The gentle kiss deepened as, with tears still running down her face, she put her hand on his thigh, tilted her head, and thrust her tongue between his lips. His body reacted immediately, her touch sending pangs and zings of heat through him. After a moment, he pulled away. “You’re killin’ me here, Susannah.”

  She smiled tremulously. “How’d you find out my real name? I thought I never wanted to hear anyone call me that again, but oh, Tony—when you say it, it’s a…a caress.”

  “Yeah?” Delight coursed through him when she didn’t flinch as he stroked his thumb through the tears on her cheek. He was always careful touching her face, usually giving her some unspoken signal that he was going to raise his hand; this time, she leaned into his touch with a contented sigh. God, how I love her. “I hope you don’t think I’ve been invading your privacy, but I found it on your marriage license when I was researching what happened in Georgia. I had to know what happened, what I was dealing with, you know?” When she nodded slightly, he continued. “It’s a beautiful name. It’s how I’ve thought of you ever since. My little Southern belle—soft as cotton and tough as nails.” He smoothed a wayward curl off her wet face. “I love you, Susannah. Please marry me.”

  She gazed into his eyes. “I love you, too, I do…”

  “I hear a but coming.”

  “But, I’m such an unholy mess,” she moaned. “I come with more baggage than an Air France flight to Paris, and the specter of Paul Prescott will always hang over us. You can’t possibly want that in your life, in your family’s life.”

  “I want you in my life,” he replied firmly. “My family will adore you because I adore you. And we’ll worry about your ex if and when we need to. He’s not a specter; he’s an annoyance. If he shows up—”

  “When he shows up,” Sarah corrected.

  “Okay, when he shows up, we’ll swat him away like the tiresome bug he is.” Tony rested his forehead against hers. “My Susannah, you are a strong, bold woman who isn’t going to let anyone intimidate her ever again. I’m so proud of you. We can’t spend our lives worrying about that jackass. Stop hiding, please? Marry me and let’s get this place up and running—together.”

  Sarah closed her eyes, tipped her head back, and sighed a huge breath, almost as though she were releasing a lifetime of despair. When she met his gaze, there was that amazing sweet smile again. “It is an awfully pretty ring,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “That it is,” he agreed solemnly and took the jewel from its velvet-lined box. “Let’s see if it fits. As I recall, Grand-mère had little fingers like yours.” He slid the ring onto her left hand. It was a perfect fit. “Ah, just like it was made for you.” Raising her hand, he kissed her fingers, then turned her hand over and pressed his lips to her palm.

  “You are the most beautiful man, Tony Reynard—inside and out,” she whispered. “Becoming your wife sounds like heaven on Earth to me.”

  Sarah’s fingers in his hair brought his head up and he tugged her off the chair and into his arms. “So that’s a yes then?” He let his hand wander across her back and down to pull her hips against his.

  “It’s a yes.” She nodded, tears glistening in her blue eyes. “Only if you promise to always call me Susannah in that incredibly sexy way.” She touched her lips to his. “Tony, can it please be just ours—that name? For our most intimate times? I need to be Sarah everywhere else.”

  “Just ours.” He agreed and stopped fighting the urge to make love to her right then and there. Picking her up, he boosted her onto the table, and pulled down the straps of her tank top, exposing her shoulders to his seeking mouth. Her gasp at the touch of his tongue on her skin sent an arrow of desire straight through him. This woman was his destiny, his future, his world, and he would defend her to the death.

  She touched his cheek as he dropped kisses along her bare collarbone. “Take me home, Deputy. I can’t have sex on this table and then feed my clients on it. I’ve got a nice soft bed.”

  TWENTY-THREE

  Sarah barely got seated on the sofa in the Posse’s usual corner at the Daily Grind before Julie grabbed her left hand. “Well, look at you, sporting a new piece of jewelry. He proposed, didn’t he? You’re staying!”

  Sarah couldn’t resist tweaking her just a little. “What if Tony’s decided to travel to Europe with me?”

  “Has he?” Carrie’s brown eyes widened.

  “No,” Sarah admitted. “I’m staying and we’re getting married.”

  Julie let out a whoop that turned heads in the coffee shop. “Baby, we are all delighted. This is so right.” She held Sarah’s hand up to the sunlight coming through the window beside them, turning it first one way and then another. The ruby winked and sparkled.

  From her chair, Libby leaned over and squeezed Sarah’s knee. “I miss everything because I work all the damn time. I’ve gotta release some of the winery responsibilities to Tess, ’cause I hate being out of the loop. I’m so happy for you, Sarah. Let me see that ring.”

  Pulling her hand from Julie’s grip, Sarah held the ring out for the women to admire, grateful the place was nearly empty. She’d deliberately arrived late this morning, knowing her friends would be all over her about her announcement the previous night. She was thrilled to share her good news with her best pals, but she still glanced over her shoulder to check out the rest of the customers. She recognized the villagers who came through every morning and she’d learned how to identify tourists, but when a stranger came through, she clutched. Perhaps wary was her new normal, but wary beat the hell out of terrified and cowering. She had Tony, the Posse, and the entire village of Willow Bay to thank for that.

  Everyone looked familiar. She waved to Bertie from the yarn shop, tossed a nod to a tableful of the harbor crewmen, and acknowledged two moms clad in running gear with three-wheeled strollers beside them. She’d already checked out the people sitting outside—nobody suspicious. If he’d found her and was stalking her, he was damn subtle about it. Sarah turned back to her friends.

  “You and Tony are perfect together.” Carrie touched the ring with one finger. “He’s one of the best men I know and you deserve the best.”

  Sarah glanced away, suddenly shy. “Thanks. He is the best, isn’t he? How did you know?” She shivered involuntarily, then smiled. “I’ve never felt this way before. Ever.”

  “Julie ran into him at the bank when he was picking up the ring, and she spilled the beans, although we had no idea he was planning on doing it last night. Great feeling, huh?” Sophie grinned, clearly thinking of her Henry. As Sarah cast her glance around the group, Libby, Carrie, and Julie also wore those faraway it’s-fabulous-to-be-in-love expressions.

  So this is what it’s like to be a part of a circle of women whose relationships work.

  Henry, Liam, and Will were all kind, good-hearted men. Sarah had discovered that as they’d pitched in renovating the shelter. She’d only met Daniel Nolan once out at the winery, but he was a jolly sort, and his pride in his wife’s accomplishments shone in his eyes. And Tony?

  Well, Tony wa
s gift she intended to spend the rest of her life cherishing.

  Carrie nudged her out of her reverie. “So you’re definitely not leaving then?” Curiosity gleamed in her dark brown eyes.

  “No.” Sarah saw no reason to be coy. “And, Soph, it was Henry who really made me think clearly when he said that if I left, I was giving control back to Paul. That made so much sense.”

  “That’s my darling geek. The quiet ones always surprise you with their depth, don’t they?” Sophie sipped her coffee before nabbing a piece of bran muffin from Julie’s plate.

  “Henry’s a smart guy.” Julie flashed a bogus hard stare at Sophie before moving her plate a few inches away. “Get your own, dammit. This also means you’re staying on as manager of Macy’s Garden Gate, right?”

  Sarah nodded, unable to keep from grinning at Sophie and Julie’s customary ritual—Julie bought the muffin, Sophie snitched bites. “Yup, that’s exactly what it means. And Tony is going to move in when I do. I just pray that bastard doesn’t find me.”

  “We need to find a nickname for that creepy ex of yours so we don’t have to acknowledge him by actually using his name.” Libby gave a fiendish grimace. “Something suitably evil.”

  “How about we call him Hans—for the villain in the Die Hard movies?” Sophie’s eyes lit up, but Julie shook her head vehemently.

  “No, no way! He was played by Alan Rickman and even if the character was evil, still…Alan Rickman.”

  “Excellent point. We shouldn’t besmirch darling Alan’s memory.” Sophie chuckled. “What about Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter?”