“It was in my inbox when I arrived this morning.” Sean leaned forward. “I take it you received a copy as well?”
“Yes, and I deleted it.” She pushed the paper back towards him. “Do you know how many times over the years I’ve received messages like this?”
She watched Sean’s eyes and could tell the moment he realized the truth of her words.
“Okay, if you’re not here for this…” He set the paper aside.
It was her turn to push paper in front of him. “The proof you’ll need to open an official investigation against my aunt and uncle along with Morgan Roche for embezzling.” She held her breath as Sean looked through the paperwork.
When his eyes turned up to hers, she relaxed slightly. Cade’s uncle looked so much like Cade, somehow it had a calming effect on her.
“You’re willing to drag your family through the mud? You know the chance of recovering any of the money is slim,” Sean said.
Raven raised her chin slightly. “It’s not about the money. It’s about morals.”
His eyes ran over her for a moment. “Do you remember that I was the one who found you after the fire?”
She swallowed and nodded slowly. Most of her memories from that night and her seventeenth birthday were fuzzy, with the exception of that small detail.
“I never got to thank you,” she said softly.
“When everyone else in town was spreading rumors, I remembered finding you, tucked into a small ball, covered in mud, soot, and ash. Seeing your tears, hearing your anguish when you found out what you’d lost.” He watched her closely.
“You lost Reggie,” she pointed out.
“We both did. Did you ever know that he was found less than a quarter of a mile away from the cave? My guess is, he was trying to make it there.”
“No.” She shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I never knew.”
Sean sighed and shook his head. “This”—he motioned to the file— “might open a lot of old wounds in this town. Wounds that have started to heal.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of doing what’s right?” she asked, her back straightening.
“No,” Sean said quickly. “I’m trying to see if you have what it takes to stand up. All the way up. Last time, you were so young. If you do this, you can’t run and hide away for another ten years when things take a dark turn and the accusations start to fly.”
She raised her chin again. “I’m not going anywhere.”
After a moment, Sean nodded and smiled. “Good. Shall we begin?”
Chapter Sixteen
It’s no time to play chess when the house is on fire. ~ Italian Proverb
Cade watched Blue race around the yard, sniffing and peeing on practically every blade of grass. He turned when he heard a car drive up his driveway, then smiled when he noticed it was Raven.
He walked around to the side of his house where his driveway was and stood on his porch as she climbed out of her car. Instantly, he could tell something was bothering her.
How was it that he had changed his mind so much about the woman in such a short time? Only two months ago, he’d been angry, hurt, and bitter every time he’d heard her name. Now, when he thought of her, his body jumped to attention for completely different reasons.
“Evening,” he said smoothly as she stopped at the base of the porch stairs, looking up at him.
“Evening,” she said with a slight smile as she shaded the sun from her eyes.
“What brings you around?”
She glanced over when Blue raced around the house. When he noticed the mud on his paws, he tried to stop him from racing to her and jumping on her, but by the time he reached them, it was too late. Blue had left two perfectly muddy paw prints on her clean skirt.
Still, Raven was laughing and hugging the muddy dog as Blue rained kisses over her face.
“Blue,” he scolded, “down.”
“He’s fine,” Raven said, chuckling. “He’s just what I needed right now.” She glanced up at him. “I just got back from your uncle’s office. I’ve officially filed a report about the embezzling.”
“You did?” he asked as she stood up.
Cade snapped his fingers, sending Blue to the front porch.
“I did.” Raven smiled.
“I guess that earned you a beer.”
“I agree the occasion totally calls for one.” She followed him into the house.
He grabbed two cold beers from the fridge, then motioned towards the back door. “Want to sit outside?”
“I’d like that.” She took her beer from him.
“Sorry, I don’t have any fancy cheese or finger foods.”
She shrugged and replied. “I grabbed dinner at the diner before coming over here.”
They sat out on the porch as Blue started racing around the yard once again.
“Does he ever get tired?” Raven asked with a chuckle after taking a sip of her beer.
He smiled. “I was thinking of getting him a friend. When he visits my uncle’s house, he loves playing with his three-year-old golden retriever, Al.”
“Al?” She chuckled.
“It’s short for Al,” he joked as he glanced over at her.
She laughed and then her smile slipped slightly.
“Your uncle thinks this is going to cause a stir around town.” She glanced down at her beer.
“It probably will. After all, it’s big news when the mayor stubs his toe,” he joked, then he sighed. “Do you think you’re up for it?” he asked, suddenly concerned.
She glanced over at him and her chin rose slightly. “I am.” She took another sip.
“Rumors can be hard to outrun.” He glanced off over the yard as he remembered hearing all of the rumors about Raven over the years.
“I tried to leave them behind, but in the end, they were right here waiting for me when I returned.” She took another sip of her beer. “It’s just a good thing these new rumors won’t be about me.”
“That won’t stop people from bringing up your past.”
“No, I suppose it won’t.” She rolled the beer bottle in her hands. “My aunt pretty much threatened to blackmail me today.”
“Oh?” He shifted slightly to get a better look at her. “What’s she got on you?” he asked lightly.
She chuckled, a rich smooth sound that had his body responding.
“Absolutely nothing.” She smiled at him. “She thinks she has something, but at this point, she’s grasping at straws.”
“They’re probably desperate to keep their secrets,” he suggested.
“How did they get away with it? I mean, that much money?” She shook her head. “That’s three hundred thousand a year extra, over their set income. In the city, I doubt anyone would notice, but out here…” She motioned with the beer bottle. “People notice if you’ve got extra money. It’s not like they’ve flaunted it around town. I asked Cal, he claims there weren’t any extravagant vacations. No big purchases such as houses, cars, or vacations.” She shook her head. “Where did it all go?”