Page 33 of Her Ohio Old Flame

Her breaths came quicker, and she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady herself. “In the last month of high school, he got bolder. Touches that lingered too long, words that made my skin crawl. And then... prom night.” Her voice broke, and she looked away, her eyes stinging.

Maddy reached across the desk and rested her hand on Asha’s. “You don’t have to say more if you’re not ready.”

Asha shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I need to. He... he cornered me. Said I owed him for all his help, that I couldn’t just walk away.” Her throat tightened, the memory suffocating her. “I tried to fight him off, but he was... stronger.”

She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Maddy gave her a moment before she spoke. “Asha, I’m so sorry. What he did to you was wrong on every level. None of this is your fault.”

Asha wiped at her face, her breathing uneven. “I didn’t tell anyone. I just... left. I thought if I stayed away, I could forget it ever happened.”

Maddy’s eyes softened, her response firm but kind. “You survived something unimaginable, Asha. But you don’t have to carry this alone anymore. Have you thought about speaking up?”

“I can’t,” Asha shook her head vehemently. “He’s respected. Everyone here thinks he’s some kind of saint.”

Maddy leaned back into her chair, making the leather creak, her expression thoughtful and compassionate. “What he did to you was a violation of trust and power. If he did this to you, he could do it to someone else—or worse, he might already have.”

Asha’s stomach churned at the thought, her hands tightening into fists. “But what if no one believes me?”

Maddy spoke softly. “It’s not about them, Asha. It’s about you—and about protecting others who might be at risk. You saidhe’s a pillar of our society. Is he still teaching? Do you think his manners have changed?”

Asha flinched.

“Whether you decide to speak up or not, I’ll be proud of you for surviving and for finding the courage to face this.”

Asha dropped her gaze to her lap, her mind a whirlwind of fear, anger, and uncertainty. She wanted to stay silent, to bury the past and move on. But the thought of someone else going through what she had... it was almost unbearable.

“I don’t know if I can do it,” she whispered.

Maddy offered her a small, encouraging smile. “You’re stronger than you think, Asha. Whatever you decide, you won’t have to face it alone.”

The words lingered as Asha left the office, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. The inner conflict gnawed at her, each step feeling like she was walking a tightrope over an abyss.

Chapter Fifteen

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, thick and inviting. Zane leaned back in his chair at the shared Peaceful police and fire station, swirling his mug absently. Peaceful’s station wasn’t like most others. The coffeemaker was top of the line, stocked with first-class beans and capable of churning out just about any coffee specialty he could think of. It was, admittedly, one of his favorite things about the place—but after his fourth cup, even he had to admit he might have overdone it. His nerves were jittery, despite him being used to biding his time. But they weren’t waiting for a fire alarm this time, but for Tate MacCready.

Lou sat across from him, thumbing through notes with the efficiency of someone who’d been in law enforcement long enough to spot patterns where others saw chaos. Zane had opted to stay off duty today, knowing the arson investigation needed a united front.

The door swung open, and Zane pulled himself into a more upright position. MacCready strode in, his presence as commanding as ever. His graying hair was neatly combed, and his casual but well-put-together outfit—a crisp button-downshirt and dark jeans—hinted at an effortless style. He carried himself with an air of confidence that had endeared him to Peaceful for years.

“Gentlemen,” MacCready greeted warmly, with that familiar undercurrent of charm Zane had always admired. “Apologies for the delay. My wife, the kids, and I were out for a picnic when I got the call.”

Lou stood, extending his hand. “No problem, Mr. MacCready. We appreciate you coming in.”

“Please, call me Tate,” MacCready said, shaking Lou’s hand firmly before turning to Zane with a beaming smile. “Zane, good to see you. You’ve grown into quite the man.”

“Thank you, sir,” Zane replied, his chest warming. He couldn’t help but respect the man who had been elementary in his life choices. “It’s good to see you, too. Please take a seat.” He gestured to the chair opposite of them.

“How many kids do you have?” Lou settled back in his seat and stretched out his legs.

“Three.” MacCready pulled his wallet from his inner pocket. Opening the leather billfold, he tapped the pictures—two grinning boys and a girl with pigtails and a gap-toothed smile, all exuding the energy and innocence of elementary school kids. “Elliot, Max, and Sophie. They’re the light of my life.”

Lou nodded appreciatively. “Beautiful family.”

“Thank you.” MacCready’s smile widened. “I’ve always believed that a strong family is the backbone of any community. It’s why I came to Peaceful—to give them an upbringing away from the big city.”

MacCready shifted his gaze to Lou, his brow furrowing as he studied him. “I can’t seem to place you. I don’t remember having you in any of my classes. You aren’t from here?”

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