Rainier Drive (Cedar Cove #6)(60)

“Good.”

Before he told her anything else, she had to warn him. “Don’t tell me where you are. All right? I’d have to tell the sheriff, so it’s better that I not know. You aren’t on a phone that can be traced, are you?”

“No.”

“Thank goodness.” She breathed easier. “How did you get my number?” she asked. His call seemed like the answer to a prayer, the granting of a wish, but she didn’t think it was the result of either divine intervention or fairy-tale magic.

“I’ll explain in a minute. There’s something I have to say first.”

“What?”

“You’re probably going to the prom tomorrow night,” he said, “and I want you to go. It’s important to me that you do. I don’t want you sitting home alone because of me. If you think you’re being loyal to me by staying away, then don’t.”

Her throat hurt as she held back tears, and she found it hard to swallow, hard to speak. She was moved beyond words that he cared about her…that he’d even remembered the dance. “I’m going with Kaci,” she finally said. Because of all the traffic noise outside the mall, she unlocked the car and sat in the driver’s seat. She tossed her dress on the empty space beside her.

“But Allison…”

“You’re my date, Anson. I can’t imagine dancing at the prom with anyone but you.” Closing her eyes, she could almost feel his arms around her.

“I’d give anything to be there with you,” he whispered.

Her heart felt like it was about to break. “How did you get my number?” she asked again, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

“Eddie. I had a friend phone the house pretending to be a guy from school and Eddie answered and gave him the number of your cell.”

“Now that I have my own phone, can you talk more often?” She had so many questions. Although she was desperate to ask about the pewter cross found in the fire, she was also afraid of what he might tell her. All she needed now, she decided, was the sound of his voice. The questions could wait.

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to call you,” he said.

“Please! I have to know you’re all right.”

“I’m okay. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“I do worry, Anson.” She wanted him to come back to Cedar Cove, and yet she was terrified of what might happen when—if—he did. A part of her yearned to tell him to stay hidden, otherwise he might end up in jail. At the same time, she longed for his name to be cleared. Only she wasn’t convinced anymore that was possible….

“What can you tell me about The Lighthouse?” he asked. “Is there any news? Has anyone been arrested?”

Allison closed her eyes again, fearing this very subject. She hesitated.

“Allison?”

“Your cross was found in the ashes. It’d partially melted and there was a picture of it in the Chronicle.”

He muttered something best not repeated.

“You were there that night, weren’t you?” Asking him this required all the courage she could muster. Her hand was trembling and damp with perspiration as she clutched the phone.

“Yes,” he said, “but I swear to you, Allison, I didn’t set the fire. I did everything I could to put it out. I realized I’d lost my cross, but I didn’t know where. Tell the sheriff to check the fire extinguisher. My fingerprints should be all over it.”

“I’ll tell him,” she said, eager to do anything that would help prove his innocence.

“Have you lost faith in me, Allison?” Before she could answer, he continued. “I swear to you I had nothing to do with the fire.”

“Who else could have done it?” she asked rather than admit her faith had been shaken.

“I saw him.” Anson’s voice was so low she could hardly hear it.

“What?” she said breathlessly. “Who?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?” she nearly shouted. She wasn’t stupid and she wasn’t going to let him lie to her, either.

“I don’t know his name,” Anson groaned, his frustration evident. “I’ve seen him before, but I don’t know who he is. He ate at the restaurant. But I only saw him one time and then again the night of the fire. I swear that’s the truth. I shouldn’t have told you this much…I don’t want to involve you any more than I already have.”

“But Anson, I—”

“All I’m asking,” he said, cutting her off, “all I want from you is to believe me. If you can’t do that, there’s nothing more for me to say….”

“Don’t hang up,” she cried.

She heard the drone of silence and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Anson?”

“I’m here. I should go,” he said.

“No, please.” She felt like she was grasping at wind.

“I can’t talk anymore.”

“I went to see your mother,” she rushed to tell him. “I understand now what you meant when you came to me that night. You said it was better if I didn’t know what you’d done. You meant the money you stole, didn’t you?” She could only hope that was all he’d meant.