Page 60 of Five Minute Man
Chapter 28
Adam hung up the phone, feeling a fraction of the crushing weight on his chest begin to lift. It had taken a little over a month, but Eve Sanderson had just been formally arrested on a laundry list of charges, including arson, criminal mischief, and illegal use of a controlled substance, among others.
Sam said that the Sanderson’s family lawyer had already posted bail and was pushing to have Eve remanded to a psychiatric facility for evaluation. From what Sam insinuated, it wouldn’t be Eve’s first time there.
Adam didn’t really care where she went, as long as Eve was out of his life. As long as Holly was safe.
Holly. He hadn’t spoken to her in weeks. At first, it had been because he was trying to protect her, but now ...
She hadn’t made any attempt to contact him, not that he had expected her to. He knew through Sam that she had cooperated fully with the investigation, and that she was recovering well from her physical injuries.
Adam rubbed absently at his chest. Thinking of Holly battered and bruised made him ache.
Beyond that most cursory information, he was lost. He had no idea what she was thinking, no idea how she felt. Did she hate him? Were her nights plagued with agonizing dreams of him as his were of her? It was inconceivable that she would ever be able to forget what had happened, but was there any chance she might someday be able to find it in her heart to forgive him?
The front door opened and closed, signaling Brandon’s return from his shift at Applebee’s.
Adam ran a hand down his face and tried to wipe away any trace of emotion before Brandon found him like that. He was a man, dammit. Men didnotcry in front of other men.
Brandon paused briefly at the door, no doubt assessing the situation. It was a game they played. Adam pretended he was fine, and Brandon pretended to buy it.
“How was work? Okay?” Adam asked.
Brandon nodded, moving into the room. “Kind of slow now that the semester started up again,” he said.
He went right to the fridge, grabbed the carton of milk, and poured himself a glass. The kid always did have a thing for milk, which might explain some of his sturdy six-two frame and perfect teeth. Brandon leaned casually against the counter, downed the entire glass, and then immediately poured another.
“Guess who came in for dinner tonight?” Brandon asked, his tone far too casual to be believable.
Adam swallowed hard. He had refrained from asking, but he did wonder every Tuesday night. Did Holly and Liz still go out every week? If they did, did they avoid Applebee’s, knowing that Brandon worked there?
“How is she?” he heard himself asking.
“Different,” Brandon answered vaguely.
“Different how?”
Brandon stared at him a long time before answering. “You know, maybe you should call her and find out for yourself.”
Adam searched his nephew’s face. The kid meant well, but ... “Did she give any indication she would want me to?” he asked bluntly.
“No,” Brandon admitted. “But—”
“Leave it, Brandon,” Adam commanded firmly.
Before his nephew could say anything else, he turned on his heel and retreated into his bedroom, closing the door in a very clear message.
* * *
ONE DAY BECAME THEnext, an endless cycle of days.
Holly couldn’t seem to summon the energy to notice. Or care. She went through the motions, did what she had to do, but no more than that. She retreated into her own private world, preferring Max’s company to anyone else’s. The only exception was Liz, who continued to bully her into going out once a week. It was the only time Holly left the cottage, except for running occasional errands. Even those she tried to avoid, doing as much as possible online.
At least she didn’t have to worry about losing her cottage anymore. She had received a letter the week after Eve’s arrest to inform her that the Covendale Valley Historical Society “upon further reflection” had “opted not to pursue” acquisition of the property “at this time.”
Eventually, summer turned into fall, Holly’s favorite time of year. The air grew cooler, the days grew shorter. Each day she watched the leaves change colors a little more. Shades of green turned into brilliant hues of deep gold, orange, and crimson flame.
It was beautiful, yet she couldn’t seem to wholly appreciate the wonder of it. It felt wrong. How could she take pleasure in so much vibrancy when she herself felt so barren inside?
