5

He quickly searched through Ms. Lily’s bag, wondering why she needed so many cosmetics. Once he was done, he grabbed her things and walked to her cell. The other prisoners were lying on their cots. He unlocked the steel bars and stepped inside.

She was sitting on the edge of her cot, her face red and her eyes full of defiance. He set her case and purse down next to her. "You can use your cell phone to call anyone, or you can use ours."

"Am I supposed to thank you?" She shot back.

His gaze met hers, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. “A simple ‘I’m sorry’ would’ve been nice.”

“For what?” she retorted.

"Don’t you understand what happened this afternoon?"

She crossed her arms over her breasts. “I’m sure you’re going to enlighten me.”

He took a deep breath. "For the record, you were speeding, nearly hit a pedestrian, ignored the siren, didn’t stop when I signaled you, and tried to bribe a sheriff. We may be from a small town, but most of us know how to follow the law—and respect it."

She lowered her gaze, and went silent. That surprised him. He’d been expecting a fiery reaction. Her response made him ask, “Do you want to explain why you did all of that?”

Her face took on a look of raging rage as her head sprang up. "Go to hell."

Her head snapped up, her face twisted with anger. "Get out!"

There it was—the fiery reaction he’d been expecting. This woman didn’t want help. At least he’d tried. "My deputy will hang up some blankets for privacy, in case you want to change. When you need the bathroom, a deputy will escort you to the one down the hall. The judge will be here on Wednesday for your hearing. Your bail is set."

"Wednesday?" Panic flared in her eyes. Finally, he was getting through to her.

Before he could react, she jumped off the cot and grabbed his arm. "Wednesday? You’ve got to be kidding! You can’t leave me in this hellhole until then. That’s insane. You’re insane!"

Her fingers dug into his skin, sending a forgotten jolt of longing through his body. He had to pull away from her.

"You bastard. You country-bumpkin bastard. You’ll pay for this. You’ll—"

He swung open the cell door, stepped out, and slammed it behind him with a deafening crash, the sound reverberating through the concrete walls like a gunshot. For a brief moment, he felt a flicker of regret as he saw the terror in her eyes—fear laced with anger. But he’d tried to reason with her, and it hadn’t worked.

She’d broken the law. Now, she would face the consequences.

Charlotte grabbed her phone and punched her brother's number. She would show the high and mighty sheriff. He’d regret ever putting her in handcuffs.

The strange man across the aisle from her leaned in close, his face pressed against the bars. A cold shiver ran down her spine. He reminded her of a homeless guy searching through trash cans. He smacked his lips as he leered at her. Gross. She turned away quickly, silently willing Henry to pick up.

"Pick up, pick up," she muttered under her breath.

Finally, she heard his voice. "Where the hell are you?"

Evidently he'd seen her name on his caller ID. "I need your help."

"You’re calling the wrong person, Lily. After you bailed on Mom’s wedding, I’m not doing anything for you. Mom’s been upset, blaming herself for your selfishness."

A flicker of hope pierced her chest. "She didn’t marry him?"

"Oh, so that’s what this little ruse is all about." She could almost picture him nodding, the way he did in the courtroom. He was a skilled defense attorney, and if anyone could get her out of this mess, it was him.

"You thought Mom would be so distraught over your disappearance that she’d call off the wedding?"

Lily took a deep breath. “Henry, I tried, but I just couldn’t watch her marry someone else.”

“Mom deserves to move on. Dad’s been gone five years. It’s time for all of us to accept that, especially you.”

Lily bit her lip. Henry didn’t get it. No one did. Her father had been her hero, her best friend. Losing him had torn apart everything she’d believed about love and life. She couldn’t understand how Quinn and her mom had been able to move on so easily.

But, she knew she owed her mother an apology. "I need to talk to Mom."

"No chance.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not letting you upset her. She’s happy, getting ready for her honeymoon. I’ll tell her you’re fine so she doesn’t worry. And don’t even think about calling her. Let her enjoy her happiness.”

Lily opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw the guy across the aisle leering at her again. His gaze brought her back to the cold reality of her situation. She had to get out of here.

"Henry, I really need your help."

“You’ve already said that. What’s going on?”

“I’m... I’m in jail.” The shame rushed back, making her cheeks burn. Damn that rigid sheriff.