Blue Ridge Sunrise

by Denise Hunter

  He cupped her face, looking at her with all the intensity in his heart until her smile was long gone.

  “When you left back then I was devastated, Zoe. I’m not saying that to make you feel bad,” he added when she winced. “Maybe that was the journey God needed us to take to fully appreciate this.” He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “But when you left, you took my heart with you. Every woman I’ve dated since has just been a placeholder for you.”

  She gasped as her eyes went glossy. “Oh, Cruz. Leaving you was the most painful thing I’ve ever done. But when you believed the worst of me, I just kind of snapped. All my fears of being a disappointment surfaced. All the times Daddy expected me to fail, all the times he looked at me like I was his life’s biggest disappointment—it just made me wither up inside.”

  “I’m sorry I fell for Kyle’s lies. I should’ve heard you out. Believed in you. I think it’s fair to say we both have issues we’re working through. Let’s do it together.”

  Her lips curved. “I like the sound of that.”

  “You’re still mi leona. Always have been. Always will be.”

  She huffed. “More like a mouse.”

  “Mi leona,” he said firmly before pressing a kiss to her cheek where a tear had tumbled down. He pressed another to the corner of her lips, then finally soothed that spot she’d bitten earlier.

  Her lips were soft and pliant as she slid her arms around his waist and pressed closer. He could hardly believe she was back in his arms again. His. It had been a rough few years, but so worth the journey. He’d never stopped loving her, he realized, the thought hitting him like an avalanche.

  A childish laugh floated through the fog of his thoughts. “Daddy! You’re kissing Mama!”

  Zoe’s lips curved against his. “Yeah, Daddy,” she said in a throaty whisper.

  He turned and watched their daughter scamper through the high grass toward them, her curls flying behind her, her mama’s smile stretching across her face.

  “Kiss me too!” Gracie said as she flew into their arms, puckering her rosebud lips.

  Zoe kissed her daughter with a loud smack, and Cruz followed suit.

  “My two favorite girls.” His heart was so full of joy his eyes stung with emotion, and his throat tightened around the words. He was never letting them go.

  chapter thirty-six

  Brady’s new steel building was red with white trim, reminiscent of the barn he’d started his business in. It sat in the back corner of his property, conveniently located a stone’s throw from the front door of his farmhouse.

  Zoe adored the high-ceilinged front porch, which gave the building a cozy feel. She’d placed barrels along the wall, which she planned to fill with sale items. The interior was wide open with a shiny gray concrete floor and only an office and small restroom partitioned off at the back.

  Zoe unpacked the last of the Georgia mugs, lining them up neatly on the shelves near the used cash register. There was no bakery case for the baked goods. That would have to wait until she rebuilt the barn—if the insurance money ever came through.

  “Where do the bags of peanuts go?” Hope asked.

  “Over by the jams and jellies.”

  She’d had a lot of help getting the shelves up and the merchandise unpacked. Brady had taken off more time than he could probably afford, as had Hope and Cruz. Miss Ruby had put in extra time watching Gracie. With Peach Fest only two days away, Zoe was grateful for the extra help.

  Other neighbors had pitched in too, offering discounted produce and promising to tell all their friends about her grand opening. The Peach Barn was even trending locally on social media sites. It felt good to be a part of a real community again.

  They still had a lot left to unpack and arrange, and she was going to lose Brady’s help any minute. His ex-wife had been due to drop off baby Sam over an hour ago. Zoe was getting bonus time out of him as it was.

  She might have to call in reinforcements. She’d hired a local girl named Ava who lived at the Hope House, a place for girls who were orphaned or had unfit parents. She seemed very responsible, and Zoe felt the girl needed someone to give her a chance. She’d also hired the wife of one of Cruz’s laborers.

  Zoe put her hands on her hips and surveyed the space. It seemed a little empty after the close confines of her barn, but it would work nicely. The building was well lit with florescent lighting and carried the “new” smell.

  Out near the road Brady had installed the large sign she’d had made. The Peach Barn, it stated in large red letters. The building was a long way down the gravel drive, but she didn’t think the little jaunt would deter too many people.

  She’d borrowed tables from church, and tomorrow the baskets for the peaches would arrive—fingers crossed. It would take all day to arrange and label all the varieties. The baked goods would go last. The Peach Barn was almost ready. A nervous knot tightened in her stomach. Now if only people would show up.

  Cruz hauled in a box from Zoe’s car. He looked so appealing in his white T-shirt and soft-worn denim. His biceps bulged under the weight of the box. She was half tempted to grab him and plant one on those supple lips of his.

  He set the box near the register and glanced up at her, doing a double take as he honed in on her face. No doubt reading her mind.

  A flicker of male appreciation appeared, and his eyes became hooded. “Are you ogling me, Zoe Collins?” he asked softly.

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Maybe.”

  “Like what you see?”

  “Oh, definitely.”

  “I missed you last night.”

  Hope dumped her empty box into the nearby pile. “Oh, my gosh. I’m drowning in pheromones. Just kiss her already.”

  “Where do the magnets go?” Brady asked as he entered the building.

  “Get out while you can,” Hope said.

  Zoe couldn’t tear her eyes from Cruz’s. She forgot about the mugs and the magnets and the peanuts. Was she supposed to be working on something? What was her name again?

  “Oh, geez,” Brady said. “Can you two please wait till we’re done to make cow eyes at each other?”

  “Oh, Brady,” Hope said with dramatic Southern flair. “I do declare you’re the most handsome man I ever met. I’m so sweet on you I’m fairly swooning.”

  Cruz’s lips twitched. “I think they’re making fun of us.”

  “They’re just jealous.”

  “I don’t blame them,” Cruz said, stepping closer. “I’d be jealous of us too.”

  “Well, you are the most handsome man ever.”

  “And I’m definitely swooning.” The rough texture of his voice made her heart roll over as he palmed her cheek.

  “Ugh,” Brady said, turning away.

  “There’s a bathroom in the corner if you need to barf,” Hope said helpfully.

  “I guess I should be grateful my stomach’s empty.”

  “Mine too. Wanna grab lunch at the diner?”

  “Sure, if Audrey ever shows up.”

  A shuffle sounded at the door, finally drawing Zoe’s eyes from Cruz. Deputy Mosley entered, his gaze sweeping the interior space.

  All the pheromones seemed to evaporate on the spot.

  “Well, this is certainly coming along nicely,” the deputy said.

  Zoe stepped toward him, something in his expression making her stomach flutter with nerves. “We’ve been working hard to get it open by Peach Fest. Do you have news for me?”

  Deputy Mosley took in the others. “Maybe we should have a private word.”

  Zoe shook her head. “This is my family. They’ll be the first to hear whatever you tell me anyway.”

  “All right.” He gave a nod, his eyes sliding briefly to Cruz. “Maybe that’s for the best. I’m afraid Kyle’s alibi checked out. His band was performing that night in Huntsville.”

  “How late did the show go?” Cruz asked.

  “Past midnight. No chance he could’ve made it here in time to set the fire.”

&n
bsp; “He has friends here in town who could’ve done it for him,” Brady said.

  “Checked into that already. Pete Townsend and Devon Brooks were playing poker with some buddies.”

  Zoe hated to mention Axel since he was Miss Ruby’s nephew, but he was also a good friend of Kyle’s. “What about Axel Brown?”

  “I checked with him too,” the deputy said. “He said he was in bed with his wife, and she corroborates.”

  “What about Garret Morgan?” Cruz said.

  “We’ve been unable to reach him so far. He’s away on a camping trip.”

  “Sounds pretty convenient to me,” Cruz said.

  “Garret’s sister said he’d been planning the trip for months. We’ll reach him soon enough. But his sister said he left the day before the fire.”

  “You can’t just take her word for it,” Hope said.

  He held up a hand. “We’ll check into it.”

  “If Axel’s wife was asleep, how would she know if he slipped out?” Cruz said.

  “Well, there’s always that possibility. But we have nothing linking him to the crime, and he stood to gain nothing from the fire personally.”

  Cruz stiffened beside Zoe. “As opposed to Zoe.”

  Deputy Mosley’s eyes shifted to Zoe. “Out of respect for your family I’m probably telling you more than I should.” His eyes flittered around the building. “But it’s striking the sheriff as awfully convenient you have this building just waiting in the wings.”

  Zoe’s breath left in a rush.

  A scowl darkened Brady’s face. “It’s only temporary. Everyone knows this building is for my business.”

  Cruz stepped forward. “Why on earth would she have invested all that time and money into the barn if she only planned to burn it down?”

  “Besides,” Zoe said, “I was on the phone most of the evening with Daisy Pendleton. She was helping me with some business stuff.”

  Mosley’s eyes were apologetic. “It doesn’t look good that you were the first one on the scene, Zoe.”

  “Well, for heaven’s sake, the barn’s on my property.”

  “I had to drag her out of there. She suffered from smoke inhalation, for crying out loud.”

  “Making you the second person on the scene. I need to ask where you were before the fire broke out, Cruz.”

  “Hey!” Zoe said. “He did not do this.”

  “I was at the Rusty Nail with this guy.” Cruz gestured to Brady.

  “He was,” Brady said. “A dozen people would corroborate that.”

  “The direct route from the Rusty Nail to your place is down Old Mill Road. Mind if I ask what were you doing out this way so late?”

  A flush climbed Cruz’s neck. “I just wanted to check on the barn. Make sure it was locked up tight.”

  “Because . . . ?”

  “One of the contractors left it open once. I just wanted to double-check it on my way home.”

  “The problem is it wouldn’t have taken long to throw a rock through the window.”

  “This is ridiculous,” Zoe said. “All this for a little insurance money? If that’s what I was after I could’ve torched the house.”

  Deputy Mosley nodded. “I hear you. And I’m sorry to be here under these circumstances, Zoe. I just stopped by to catch you up on things. I have to be running, but if you think of anything that might be helpful in the investigation, let me know.” He tipped his hat and then he was gone.

  Zoe didn’t realize she was shaking until he’d left. Her legs seemed made of jelly. She sank onto a half barrel near the wall. This was going from bad to worse. Now they suspected Cruz too?

  She met his stormy eyes as he approached. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  He came behind her and rubbed her shoulders. “It’s going to be all right. We both know we didn’t do it. The truth will prevail.”

  “He’s right,” Hope said. “It’ll sort itself out.”

  “I’ll bet it was Garret,” Brady said. “Camping trip, my rear end. He’s in cahoots with Kyle.”

  “I think you’re right,” Zoe said. “Or maybe Axel slipped out of bed without his wife knowing, or Pete and Devon’s poker partners are covering for them.”

  “Any way you slice it, Kyle’s at the bottom of this mess,” Cruz said. “I guarantee it.”

  “I think we’re all in agreement about that,” Hope said.

  Zoe leaned back into Cruz’s chest, hating the feeling of adrenaline shooting through her system. “But what if the sheriff doesn’t look too hard for another culprit?” She turned and met Cruz’s gaze. “What if we both end up charged with this?”

  He squeezed her shoulders. “That is not going to happen.”

  But the heaviness in her stomach told a much different story.

  The quiet moment was interrupted by someone’s phone.

  Brady reached into his pocket. “Finally she bothers to call. Better not be canceling.”

  He checked the screen and frowned. “Hello?” Ridges deepened between his brows. “Yes, this is Brady Collins.” He went still as he listened, staring off into the distance. Then his head jerked back. His eyes widened and his lips slackened, disbelief etched on the sharp planes of his face. Fear flickered in his eyes. “What about Sam? Where’s my son?”

  A shiver of dread chased up Zoe’s spine. Cruz’s hands tightened on her shoulders.

  Brady ran a hand over his face. His shoulders rose and fell with his rapid breaths.

  Zoe had never seen him look so shocked, so distraught. She got up and went over to him, needing to be nearby.

  He met her gaze, giving nothing away as he listened for what seemed like forever. She wished she could decipher more from his end of the conversation, but he was doing all the listening.

  Finally he spoke. “Yeah. Of course. I’ll be right there.”

  “What happened?” Zoe demanded, the second he turned off the phone. Hope and Cruz had come to stand nearby too.

  Brady looked around frantically. Felt his pockets. “I have to go. Where are my keys?”

  “You laid them on the counter,” Hope said.

  “Wait.” Zoe grabbed his arm. “What happened? Is Sammy all right?”

  “He’s fine, I think. He’s at the hospital in Dalton. That was the Whitfield County Sheriff’s office. Audrey had an accident.” His eyes pierced Zoe’s, giving his head a shake of disbelief. “She’s dead.”

  Hope sucked in her breath.

  “Oh, no.” Zoe tightened her grip on Brady’s arm. She’d been no fan of Audrey after what she’d done to Brady. None of them were. But baby Sam had just lost his mama. Her eyes burned at the thought.

  “Audrey’s parents and sister are away on a trip. They want me to come and identify her remains.”

  Zoe’s heart sank. “Oh, Brady, I’m so sorry.”

  “I have to go.” Brady dashed toward his keys.

  “I’ll go with you,” Zoe said.

  Hope went for her purse. “We all will.”

  Brady grabbed his keys off the counter. “No, guys. There’s nothing you can do. You have too much to do here.”

  “I don’t care,” Zoe said.

  “Well, I do,” Brady said.

  “You’re shaking,” Cruz said. “Let me drive.”

  “No.” Hope looked between Cruz and Zoe. “I got this. You guys stay put and finish. I’ll drive Brady to Dalton.”

  “You don’t have to—”

  “Hush.” Hope shouldered her purse, her chin notching up. “I’m going, and there’s nothing you can say to stop me.”

  Brady paused a moment on the threshold, his eyes still a little dazed. “All right,” he said after a moment. “Let’s go.”

  chapter thirty-seven

  Zoe was dragging her fingers through her damp curls when a knock sounded at the door.

  “Miss Ruby,” she called down the steps. “Can you get that please?”

  Zoe had overslept this morning and felt frantic from the moment she opened her
eyes. She’d been up late talking to Brady on the phone. They’d checked Sammy over at the hospital in Dalton, and he was fine. He’d been safely fastened in his car seat, and the impact had been on the driver’s side.

  Zoe’s mind spun with all that was happening. With Brady and with the arson investigation and with the rapidly approaching grand opening.

  A knock sounded again.

  “I’ve got it!” Miss Ruby called up the stairs.

  Thank God for that woman. Zoe didn’t know how she would’ve gotten through the past couple months without her. The smell of something sweet and yummy drifted up the stairs. Peach crisp, she guessed by the hint of cinnamon. It was increasingly difficult to stay out of all the baked goodies.

  She’d left Gracie downstairs in the kitchen, having a bowl of cereal. Zoe felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t spent as much time with her daughter lately as she wanted to. Things would calm down after Peach Fest. She’d have more time then.

  If you don’t end up in the county jail.

  She shook off the dark feeling that rose inside. Absurd. She couldn’t be convicted of a crime she didn’t do. That didn’t happen, did it?

  She thought of all the 20/20 programs she’d watched where just such a conviction—and worse—had happened to innocent people just like her.

  Please, God. Let the truth come out. Gracie needs me.

  Zoe gave up on her unruly hair. She was sweeping it up into a ponytail when the stairs outside the bathroom squeaked.

  Miss Ruby approached, her warm smile nowhere to be seen. Her cloud of white hair was like a halo around her face.

  Zoe lowered the brush. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Deputy Mosley,” Miss Ruby whispered. “He wants a word with you.”

  Just what she needed. Zoe’s stomach rolled, and she swallowed hard. What if he was here to arrest her? What if he handcuffed her, read her her rights, and carted her off right in front of her daughter?

  Her heart took off in a sprint, but she forced a smile. Miss Ruby looked nervous enough for the both of them. “Tell him I’ll be right down.”