I can drive you back today.
That wont be necess-
Im going out to the ranch anyway.
Abigail couldnt think of a single comeback. There was absolutely no logical reason for her to stay at Craig Mountain instead of going back to the ranch with Seth. She could hardly tell her brother she was having a really great fling. And she sure couldnt tell him she wanted to finish planning the restaurant. It could take weeks, even months. But if she left today with Seth, she wouldnt have a chance to give Zach a proper goodbye, to maybe figure out what happened next.
She hoped something happened next. Theyd done their best to stop time once again, to steal a little fantasy with each other amongst their divergent lives. And that might be all that was happening here, a longer, but equally temporary, fling. But she truly hoped it wasnt. She liked Zach. She more than liked Zach. She didnt know what it felt to fall head over heels for somebody, but it had to be close to this.
Abigail? Seth prompted.
She blinked at her brother, struggling for the words that would buy her a little more time.
Then Lisas voice interrupted. She came through the same entry Seth had used. This place is amazing! She gaped at the high ceiling. Did you see the grounds? she asked Seth. Hey, Abby. How are you doing? The mayor and I are officially checking out the newest business development in the Lyndon area.
Abigail felt a surge of relief at seeing Lisa. Maybe Lisa could help her finesse the situation. Or at least she could help Abigail stall for a bit.
You should definitely take a tour of the grounds, Abigail told her brother. While youre here, check out the new brewery construction. Its moving along at record speed.
I dont need a tour of the grounds, he responded.
Well, at least look outside. If you take that staircase- she pointed to the far end of the rectangular room -youll get to the mezzanine above. The bay window down at the other end gives you a view of the lake. But if you look north, you can also see most of the construction.
Go take a look, Lisa prompted, grasping the back of Seths chair. You should at least see the lake and the statue of Lord Ashton.
Seth kept his gaze fixed on Abigail. Travis doesnt know what to think of this guy.
Abigail met his eyes. Thats because Travis doesnt know him.
Neither do you.
I know enough.
What are you saying?
Seth? Lisa intoned from behind him. Quit giving your sister the third degree.
Shes needed at the ranch. Seth still spoke directly to Abigail.
And Im coming back, she assured him.
Good. Seth brought his hands down on his thighs.
Go look out the window, Lisa prompted.
Fine. Seth came to his feet, tone turning sarcastic. I dont know why I employ such a bossy woman.
Because Im a smart bossy woman. Lisa immediately slipped into the chair Seth had vacated.
He looked down at her. Youre not coming with me?
I just saw the statue and the lake.
With a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head, Seth paced for the staircase.
What the heck is going on? Lisa asked Abigail, leaning forward on the table. Youre still with one-night-stand guy?
I guess its a five-night stand.
Lisa gave a half laugh, half gasp.
And whats with Seth? Abigail returned. Hes acting so
So like Seth?
Abigail supposed that was true. Does he know anything about Zach?
Travis told him Zach tried to get your help with the water license.
But he thinks I said no, right?
He thinks you said no.
And he doesnt know Zach blackmailed me into it?
No, no. Not the blackmail. And not that the two of you had a one-night stand. Lisa grinned. Well, five-night stand. But he does know about Zachs initial fight with Travis. And hes pretty ticked off about that.
You cant tell him the rest, Abigail reminded Lisa.
Im never going to tell him the rest.
Seths footfalls sounded directly above them, and they both glanced reflexively up. Abigail leaned closer in and lowered her voice. Can you help me out here? Im not ready to go home yet.
Lisas eyes lit up. You falling for this guy?
Maybe, Abigail admitted, her face growing warm. Kind of. Just a little bit.
Lisas grin grew. Hes living in Lyndon now. So you never know what might happen.
Nothing was going to happen, at least nothing that really counted. Not as long as Abigail supported her family, and not as long as Zach wanted her to let them down. Its all brand-new. And Travis isnt crazy about him. Now Seth doesnt like him.
Lisa waved a dismissive hand. You cant please your entire family every minute of the day.
Im not pleasing anyone at all right now. Every day she stayed here, she was letting Travis down.
Youre pleasing yourself.
Thats not exactly an admirable character trait.
Lisa gave another shrug. Youre human. Live with it.
Ive seen the lake came Seths tense voice as he made his way back down the stairs. And the statue. Are we ready to head home now?
Abigails body went stiff. Surely he didnt mean right this second. She was in the middle of working. And Zach didnt even know she was thinking about leaving today.
Abby needs to say goodbye, Lisa interjected. Gather her things, thank Zach for his hospitality.
So this was a social visit? Seths jaw was set, his gray eyes hard as steel.
Come on. Lisa grabbed Abigails hand, clearly intending to remove her from Seths line of fire. Lets go get your stuff.
Abigail allowed herself to be pulled to standing. She glanced longingly from the sketches to the phone messages to the fabric samples. She wasnt ready to leave. She was waiting on return calls. She was waiting on emails, and more samples, and there was still the south tower to explore. But Travis needed her, and Seth was tapping his foot, looking implacable. And she couldnt come up with a single plausible reason to prolong her stay.
Zach entered the west hall, expecting to find Abigail in her usual spot, expertly juggling the hundreds of details around the restaurant project. Instead, he found a grim-looking man in an expensive suit, glaring daggers at him as he approached.
Can I help you? Zach asked, searching his brain for context. Was he a building inspector? A tax collector?
Seth Jacobs, the man announced without offering his hand. I want you to explain why the hell youve been blackmailing my sister.
Zach stopped short, eyes narrowing. Youre the mayor?
Im the mayor. Now, start talking.
Zach glanced to the corners of the room. Wheres Abigail?
None of your business.
What did she tell you? Why would Abigail bring Seth in on the secret? What could possibly have happened while Zach was down at the brewery?
Also none of your business, Seth snapped. You dont need to worry about how I know. You just need to worry that I do.
Thats all over and done with. Zachs mind was working quickly, trying to assemble pieces of information.
Did Seth know theyd slept together? Did he know Abigail hated working on the ranch? Was everything out in the open? And what did she expect him to do here?
One thing was certain, until he talked to Abby, he wasnt giving her brother any more information.
Nothings over and done with in my book. Seth took a menacing step forward. You come after my sister, you deal with me.
Anger flashed deep in the mans eyes. His jaw was set. His fists were clenched. Despite the business suit, he looked a whole lot like his brother, Travis. They might love their sister, but they sure didnt understand her.
Zach responded in the most reasonable tone he could muster. Whats between Abigail and me is none of your business.
You blackmailed a member of my family. That is my business.
Zach realized Seth was bluffing. The accusation was too vague. You dont know what happened, do you?
If it was sex, youre a dead man. And we mean that literally in Colorado.
Im from Texas, Zach responded with equal determination. If I blackmailed a woman into having sex with me, Id stand here while you killed me.
Seth drew back in obvious surprise.
Zach used what he hoped was a conciliatory tone. It might have started off rocky, but things are fine between Abigail and me.
Well, theyre pretty far from fine between me and you.
Shes not doing a single thing she doesnt want to do.
So says you.
Its the truth.
Forgive me if I dont take the word of a blackmailer.
Former blackmailer.
You think youre funny? Okay, then laugh about this. Seth pointed his index finger to the center of his chest. Im the guy who approves your business license. Im the guy who approves your zoning. And Im the guy who approves your parking variance.
A block of lead settled itself in Zachs stomach. The idea that Seth could block DFBs move to Lyndon was sickening.
Not so funny anymore, is it? Seth taunted.
Youre blackmailing me?
Ironic, isnt it?
What do you want?
I want you to stay away from Abigail. Forever.
No. The word burst out of Zach. That was the one thing he couldnt do.
No? Seth asked with obvious incredulity. You want me to destroy your business?
I want you to let your sister make up her own mind. It was all Zach could do to keep silent about Abigail hating the ranch. Let her make up her mind about me, and about everything else.
You didnt let her make up her mind about you. You took that choice away from her, didnt you?
Zach didnt have an answer for that accusation. Seth had him. Zach had behaved shamefully, and there was no arguing the contrary.
Im walking out this door. Im taking Abigail with me. And if you dare touch my sister, talk to my sister, even look at my sister ever again, I will take you and DFB down so fast and so far, youll never get out of the hole.
Thats abuse of power, Zach pointed out. Seth could lose his office, possibly go to jail.
Thats protecting my family, Seth countered. And I know a hundred ways to do it and not get caught. Dont test me, Rainer. Im holding all the cards.
Id never hurt her, Zach told him plainly and levelly.
You already have.
Once again Zach didnt have an answer. Seth was right. Hed already hurt Abigail. Hed betrayed her trust. Hed coerced her. And everything that had happened since was tainted. Seth was right, and Zach was wrong.
Ironic didnt begin to describe the situation.
He gave Seth a curt nod of acquiescence and left the castle. There was no chance Seth would let him say goodbye. Abigail was gone, out of his life, back to her family. Hed never deserved her in the first place.