Page 65 of Forbidden Secrets
“Thanks, Sawyer.”
Melanie still felt shaky as she pushed back on the emotions threatening to swamp her.
When she’d first decided to dig into the past, she’d assumed she’d be on her own.But looking around the table, seeing the determined faces of the people beside her, she felt anything but alone.They formed a solid unit of unexpected support.It made her feel stronger, and she didn’t take it for granted.
Gage slid his plate aside, bringing his coffee mug in front of him.“When we figure out who the assailant is and how he was tied to Grafton, we’ll have our motive.From what you’ve all told me, the sheriff wanted an arrest and a conviction, but he also had someone to protect.Framing Walker let him accomplish all three.”
“How was Walker finally exonerated?”Melanie asked.
“Gran, Sawyer, and James, Walker’s grandfather, hired a lawyer who was able to prove Neil Grafton put Walker’s name on the DNA match.Once his conviction was overturned, Walker took off.”Delaney gave her husband a pointed look.“He spent several years roaming the country, working.Avoiding me.”
“Didn’t think Delaney tangling up with an ex-con was good for her,” he told Melanie.He raised a hand when Delaney opened her mouth.“I know, I’m not an ex-con if I was exonerated, but I was so fucking pissed.If I’d come back, I’d have burned down the town.I had to get that rage out of my system, and I didn’t want to hurt Delaney or my family.”
He glanced at his wife.“When I finally did come back, I still wanted retribution, but I wasn’t reckless.”
“I can understand that,” Melanie said.“I was angry too, and ashamed.Mom made sure I got therapy, and that helped.It took a while before I had perspective on what happened to me and Walker.Like Cam said, I shouldn’t feel ashamed because I was assaulted.The person who attacked me should be ashamed.Heshould be in prison.”
“We all have a vested interest in finding him.I want to work together on this,” Walker said.
Melanie nodded.“My original plan was to find any information the detectives might have missed.Once I identify a suspect, I mean to bring that evidence to the sheriff’s department and ask them to reopen the case.”Melanie looked around the table.“But I hear there was a little meeting among the guys,” she said pointedly, “and now the plan’s evolved.”
“I heard about that.”Delaney gave her husband a narrow-eyed look.
Walker held up his hands.“Hey, don’t blame me.I was lured there with promises of alcohol and hot wings.”
When Cam raised a brow at her husband, Gage let out a sigh.“That one’s on me.Keeley already let me have it.In my defense, every woman in our group is a mom or soon to be, and I don’t want any of you in harm’s way.”
“Good for Keeley,” Delaney shot back.“But discussing the case doesn’t equal danger, and we’re more than capable of deciding what risks we’re willing to take.”
“Moving on,” Gage said, looking like he’d rather be anywhere than in the crosshairs of Delaney McGrath.“Bottom line, we follow the evidence.And after talking with Mel, and considering his record of domestic abuse, Chase Bradford’s my top suspect.”
The conversation shifted back to the bootlegger party.Melanie appreciated how Delaney and Walker helped clarify her list, adding a couple names and filling in missing connections.
Delaney confirmed seeing Rhonda with Greg Delano.
“I definitely remember Rhonda with Greg,” Delaney said.“They were against a tree.She was in his lap, and he had his hand up her shirt.”She frowned.“I think they disappeared for a while, but I’m not sure.I know his sister and I’ll get his contact info from her.”
Once they’d mapped out next steps, Melanie pushed her chair back.“We should get going.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the people seated around the table.“When I first came back to Sisters, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find the evil bastard who hurt me.But now I believe I will.And it’s because of all of you.Thank you for your help, and for being here.”
“We’re in this together,” Delaney affirmed.
A cry coming over a baby monitor had her pushing to her feet.“That’s Harper.”She gave Melanie a hug, then Gage.“We’ll touch base in a couple days and see what we’ve found.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Gage steered the SUV back the way they’d come, Pancake sprawled across the backseat like she’d just finished a marathon.Beside him, Melanie sat quietly, gaze fixed on the road ahead.Pensive.He was beginning to recognize that was how she processed.
The day had warmed enough for them to shed their jackets, and he cracked the window to let in the scent of pine.He liked seeing her with the people who felt like family to him.She belonged.She had a history with them and was reconnecting.Which only made her feel more right for him.She and Addy would fit perfectly into his world.
The truth was settling in: he didn’t just want her in his life—he wanted a life with her.
The thought scared the hell out of him, but losing her because he couldn’t get his shit together was not an option.
Desire wasn’t the problem.He wanted her in his bed, in his arms.Bad.And yeah, he figured she knew it.But he’d let her set the pace.That part he could wait for.But not for much longer.
What haunted him was everything that came after.What if they were together, what if they gotmarried,and something happened to her?They’d have Addy, maybe more kids.What if something happened to them?Kids were tiny disasters.Terrible things could happen to them.What if they built a life together and then lost it?
