As they stood up to head to her office, they both saw her aunt marching across the lobby, heading towards them.
He hadn’t been prepared for the woman’s first move. As if in slow motion, her hand rose and struck out. The sound of the slap across Raven’s face echoed in the lobby area.
However, he was ready for her second move and easily blocked the next strike, pinning her arms to her side as she yelled and screamed profanities at Raven.
Chapter Thirteen
Water from far away is no good for a fire close by. ~ Chinese Proverb
Raven’s left cheek burned as she watched Cade hold back her aunt.
“You bitch,” her aunt screamed. “You did this. It’s all your fault. Everything was fine until you came back. You ruined everything.” Roslyn was screaming.
“Blue. Sit,” Cade said firmly.
“What’s going on?” Cade’s uncle rushed back to their side. His eyes traveled between the three of them and landed on Raven’s red cheek, which she was still holding.
Raven hadn’t realized the man had stuck around the resort. When her aunt quieted down, she heard a low growl emitting from the dog sitting directly on her feet, as if protecting her. The dog’s eyes were glued to her aunt.
“Roslyn?” Sean turned to her aunt. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes.” Her aunt jerked her hands free from Cade’s hold, and she appeared calmer now. Cade released her and moved over to take hold of Blue’s collar. Roslyn turned to Sean. “Is it true that you’ve placed my husband under arrest for murder?”
“We’ve taken your husband in for questioning,” Sean said with a slight nod. “I’ll be heading into the station now to question him myself.”
“That girl”—her aunt pointed at Raven— “is responsible. You should be questioning her.”
“I have,” Sean said easily, “which is why I’m standing here right now.”
“Why isn’t she under arrest?” Roslyn crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at Raven.
“Your husband”—Sean emphasized the word— “is not under arrest, yet. As I said, he’s been brought in for questioning.”
“Why haven’t you brought her in?” She pointed at Raven again.
“Because she has answered all of our questions willingly. Your husband has refused to answer any questions, up to this point,” Sean explained.
“He wouldn’t have to answer any questions if she hadn’t returned and screwed everything up. She’s the one who lured that poor man to his death. She’s the one who kicked my husband out of his home. She took everything, all of this”—she motioned around them— “away from him. It’s all he’s known, all he’s worked on for the past ten years. Now he has nothing. Nothing!” she screamed.
Raven watched her aunt’s face turn red again as she screamed.
Instantly, Cade moved to step between them again, to protect Raven once more.
Sean moved at the same time, taking Roslyn’s arm and pulling her back a few steps.
“What do you say I drive you into town so you can see your husband?” he said easily. “That way you can rest assured that he’s not under arrest. Just yet,” he added again.
“Let go of me.” Roslyn jerked her arm free. “She’s the one who did this.” She glared over at Raven. “She’s destroyed everything.”
Sean’s hold on her never wavered as he started walking towards the front door. The whole time, her aunt continued to scream out accusations.
“Are you okay?” Cade asked her, releasing his hold on Blue and stepping closer to examine her face. His hand moved up and gently brushed her burning cheek.
“I’m fine,” she said automatically.
“We should get some ice on it,” he suggested.
“There’s an ice machine by my office.” She looked down at the dog. “You were going to protect me, weren’t you?” She bent down and gave Blue a scratch and a hug. “You deserve a bigger treat than dry toast. I’ll have the kitchen bring something up for him.”
“He likes bacon,” Cade said. He chuckled when his dog’s ears perked up.
“Bacon it is then.” She smiled when Blue licked her cheek.
She opened her office and waited with Blue while Cade disappeared to grab some ice for her cheek.
She hadn’t expected her aunt’s actions and words to sting so much, but by the time Cade returned with a clear bag of ice, tears were rolling down her cheeks again.
“I’m really never this emotional,” she said as she wiped her face dry.
Cade moved around the desk and knelt in front of her, then gently placed the bag of ice over her burning cheek.
“You deserve to be, currently,” he said softly.
His face was so close to hers that she had to blink in order for him to come into focus. Then she was mesmerized by the richness of his eyes. The worry she saw hidden there. Worry for her.
For a split second, she wondered why Cade didn’t remind her of Reggie, but then her eyes moved down to his lips and the desire to feel them against her own overpowered all other thoughts.
Her breath hitched; her heart jumped in her chest as he moved closer.
Just then her office door burst open and Darby and Carrie rushed in. She glanced over as Cade leaned back and dropped his hand, holding the ice bag away from her face. Her friends were standing just inside her office, gawking at them.
“We heard…” Darby started. “What happened. Are you okay? Why didn’t you call us?”
“How did you hear so quickly?” Raven asked, touching her now chilled cheek.
Her friends frowned at her.
“Didn’t the murder happen last night?” Carrie asked.
Raven’s mind cleared from the fog that had fallen over it due to Cade’s closeness. Right. The murder. She’d found her father’s close friend’s body last night.
“Right.” She nodded and stood up.
“You should have called us,” Darby said again. She rushed over to hug her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she said as both of her friends hugged her.
“Why is your cheek bright red?” Carrie asked when she leaned back. Her eyes moved to Cade.
“Don’t look at me,” he said with a shake of his head. “You can thank her aunt for that. I was helping.” He held up the ice bag.
“Boy, I know you’d never hurt our girl,” Carrie said with a head bobble. “You’re too afraid of us coming for you.” She motioned between her and Darby.
Cade smiled. “Damn straight.” He handed the ice to Raven. “Now that your friends are here, I’m going to run some errands. Will you be okay?”
“Yes,” she said, lifting the ice to her cheek. “Thank you for staying with me.”
“Any time,” he said, then he snapped his fingers. “Come on, Blue.”
“Oh!” Darby knelt down and gave Blue some attention. “I’ve missed you, Blue. Bring him by the diner again soon. I’ve always got a juicy bone for him.”
Cade smiled. “Will do.” He nodded before leaving.