Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1)(28)

“It was an accident,” he whispered through wet lips.

“What was an accident?” Dread filled Zane. No, Toby. I’d hoped it wasn’t you . . .

Toby’s harsh breathing filled the tiny room and Zane felt as if they were both standing on the tip of a precipice. Unspoken words floated around them, threatening to knock them over the edge.

“I hit him in the head with a rock!” The words burst out of Toby. “He went down and stopped breathing!” He took a ragged breath. “I tried CPR but nothing worked and I panicked and tried to make it look like some weirdo fan had choked him with the belt!”

There it is. Zane exhaled.

“He made me so angry!” Rough sobs hampered his words. “Over and over he screws around without thinking about who it affects.” All the fight drained out of Toby, and his body sagged against the door.

Zane backed off a fraction, allowing Toby to draw a decent breath. He waited for a long moment, expecting a giant wave of triumph for solving Chase Ryan’s murder, while Toby’s sobs grew deeper and more gut-wrenching.

Nothing happened.

Instead Zane was overwhelmed with pity. There was no satisfaction. No sense of accomplishment. A lifelong friendship had ended in murder and a cover-up. Zane knew the act had been in the heat of the moment, but now Toby would pay for it for the rest of his life.

Zane’s victory was hollow.





CHAPTER ELEVEN


The weather was celebrating his wedding day. It was sunny and gorgeous but not too hot. Zane closed his eyes and inhaled, catching the scents of sweetgrass and roses. The blue sky promised a carefree and happy afternoon.

But first his wife needed some time alone with her father.

He opened his eyes. Stevie stood twenty feet away talking to her father’s grave. She bent over, one of her hands stroking his gravestone as she spoke. Her beauty punched him in the gut for the tenth time that day, and he marveled at his luck.

My wife.

An hour ago they’d stood in the church before their family and friends and taken their vows. Carly had shown up with four dresses for Stevie to try on that morning, donated by her friends. Stevie told him that one had been a perfect fit and she’d instantly known it was right. It wasn’t a long, white wedding dress. It was a sundress of several layers of gauzy teal that floated and flitted around her knees. She’d never looked more beautiful.

Before the service, the women of the town had shown up with their arms full of flowers from their gardens. Stevie, Carly, and Brianna had fashioned their bouquets on the spot, each choosing the flowers she wished to carry. Patsy had snipped a rose and pinned it to Zane’s shirt. “You’re amazing,” he’d told her. “We can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re very welcome.” Patsy had fondly kissed him on the cheek. “I know you’ll love my daughter the way she was meant to be loved.”

He planned on it.

His best man, Seth, had poked Zane in the ribs as Stevie walked down the aisle. “Close your mouth,” he’d suggested.

“Something borrowed and something blue,” Stevie had joked about her teal dress as she met him—on time—in front of the minister. With gigantic grins, her brothers had walked her down the aisle. Early that morning Patsy had ordered all the men to abandon their rented tuxes. “Wear what makes you comfortable,” she’d said. “Formality is forbidden today.” After a series of group texts, the men had agreed on shorts and casual shirts.

The ceremony was a blur. Zane repeated stuff; Stevie repeated stuff. The minister talked too much, and the whole time Zane stared into Stevie’s brown eyes, thankful she’d come into his life.

That part he remembered.

“Zane.” Stevie waved him over to the grave. Her cheeks were wet, making his heart tighten, but she smiled.

Zane took her hand as he reached Bill’s grave, feeling his own regret that the big man hadn’t been able to attend his daughter’s wedding. He’d been Zane’s mentor and friend.

“I could feel him there today,” Stevie whispered. “I swear I heard his voice at one point.”

Zane didn’t doubt it.

“Mom said he thought of you like a son,” she added.

“I thought of him like a second father. He was a good man, Stevie. I hate that he died so early.”

She inhaled deeply and wiped her tears, gazing at the grave for another long minute. Zane heard the rush of the Rogue River nearby, and birds chattered in the trees. There were worse places to spend eternity.

“I’m ready,” she stated. But she didn’t turn to walk away.

Zane waited.

Ten seconds passed, and she finally turned. He held her hand as they walked through the soft grass back to his vehicle. “Did we give Mom enough time to set up for lunch?” she asked.

Zane checked the time. “I think so. She said to stay away from the house for an hour so she could prepare for a family meal. She felt bad the reception was ruined.”

“It’s fine. We’ll have a party another time. A nice, quiet family meal sounds perfect.”

“Meals with your family are never quiet.” Part of him wanted to simply take her home and finally be alone with her.

She laughed. “True.”

“Are you packed?”

“I’m all ready for our flight tonight. I can’t wait to get in the blue water and lie on the beach.”