Page 125 of Sweet Ruin

My father hesitated while Noah clenched his jaw.

“We discussed it was a possibility,” Matthew finally said.

I’d been staying with them for days, and they hadn’t mentioned this to me once. I’d been so focused on my mom that the cause of the fire had barely entered my mind. I’d assumed it was an accident, but it seemed like Matthew and Noah had already discussed the idea that it wasn’t at length. “Why would you even suspect—"

“I think we all know who’s behind this,” Noah said, stopping me. “Who has the motive…”

It took me a moment to realize who he meant. “You think your grandfather did this?” I gasped.

“Who else?” Noah said. “He’s lost his mind since the takeover, threatening to do whatever it takes to get his company back. We already know he’s gotten away with arson twice; it stands to reason he’d do it again. He probably figured threatening your lives would get him what he wants.”

“But he didn’t threaten our lives. He nearly took them. How would that get him his company back?” I glanced at my father, hoping he’d be able to make sense of it, but his skin had turned a shade of gray.

“If it wasn’t a strategy to get his company back, then it was revenge,” Matthew replied. He too sounded convinced it had been William, and the way he spoke of revenge made me feel nauseous.

“They’ve only just uncovered that it wasn’t an accident,” Matthew continued. “And I doubt William was stupid enough to leave any evidence tying him to the fire. I’m not sure we’ll be able to prove he was behind it.”

“So, we provoke him to reveal the truth,” Noah replied.

The two of them looked ready to do battle. Like they’d forgotten we didn’t live in the medieval ages and were preparing to storm a castle and threaten the mad king.

“A good idea, but it won’t be easy getting him to admit it,” Matthew said. “Maybe if he feels threatened himself. We could use the company to—

“The two of you will do nothing,” my mom said. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t have to. Her calm and decisive tone cut right through the mounting tension in the room. “I will not have you two acting like vigilantes trying to extract justice. We don’t even know that it was your grandfather, Noah.”

“It was him,” Noah replied.

“Maybe,” my mom said. “But we should let the fire department and the police do their job before we jump to conclusions. Before we take any action.”

“You want us to just sit back and do nothing?” Matthew asked.

“I want us to enjoy our last night together,” she said. “It’s New Year’s Eve, and Noah and Isobel are headed back to school tomorrow. I’ll be damned if we’re going to spend it plotting revenge.”

“You’re right,” Matthew said. his anger seeming to disappear with a long exhale “Let’s focus on having a good night together.”

The tension remained in the atmosphere though, and no matter what Mom wanted, it seemed none of us could get Noah’s grandfather off our minds. Had William Hastings started the fire? Had he tried to kill my mom and me? And worst of all, was he going to get away with it?

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

We did our best to put the news Captain Paulson had brought us to the back of our minds as we celebrated New Year’s Eve. Norma and Frank came round for dinner, and though my mom tried to stay up until midnight, she was asleep in bed by ten. My father didn’t last much longer.

I usually watched the fireworks at midnight from the beach, but I was feeling jumpy after our conversation about William and didn’t feel comfortable going down there on my own. So, when midnight neared, I asked Noah if he wanted to join me.

He was happy to keep me company, and we walked down to the sand together. Lots of people were already gathering on the beach close to the house, so we wandered a little farther down. Even once we were well clear of the crowd, we kept on going until it felt like we had the entire beach to ourselves. Suddenly I realized we’d walked so far we’d reached the secluded cove where we’d shared our first kiss.

Neither of us mentioned that fact, but it was impossible for either of us to ignore. I felt a wave of nerves as Noah lay out a rug on the sand. It was the first time we’d been alone since Aspen. The first time since my feelings for him had come roaring back to life.

We sat close to each other, tucking our legs under the small blanket I’d brought to ward off the cold. Even with the heat I could feel radiating from Noah, it was still chilly tonight, and I found I was leaning into him. I couldn’t help myself.

We sat in silence as we stared up at the starry night sky and waited for the fireworks to go off. It was peaceful with the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore, and even though it was dark, the moon was bright, and I could clearly make out Noah’s features. His expression was thoughtful as he looked out at the waves, and when he tuned and caught me watching him, he gave me a careful smile.

As he looked into my eyes, my body thrummed with a sense of uncertainty. All week he’d been so sweet and caring, but he hadn’t once asked me if I’d done what he’d asked in Aspen—if I’d taken time during the break and thought about us. And if he asked me now, I wasn’t sure how I’d answer. Because while this week had strengthened my resolve that Wes and I were better as friends, the thought of being something more with Noah still scared me.

“You’ve been quiet this evening,” Noah said.

“You’ve been quieter.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

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