Bryce didn't respond, his brain in control of his mouth for once. Tenn gave Forrest a considering look. "And you know how to solve the puzzle?"
Forrest shook his head in a negative I didn't quite believe. "There is no puzzle. The bust of Vitellius was my father's. Prentice took it from him, and I want it back. I knew it was here in Sawyers Bend, but I didn't know your father had sent it to the auction house or I could have saved myself a lot of trouble—"
A scuff of shoes on the pavement had us turning to see Sterling staring at Forrest, her mouth open and her beautiful blue eyes shattered. "Is that why you came here? Why you wanted to spend the night at Heartstone? So you could look for that thing?"
"Sterling—" Forrest took a step towards her, flinching when she stepped away.
"Answer me!" Sterling demanded.
"I—" Forrest stalled and it was clear that he couldn't make himself lie and couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth, knowing it would sever what was between them.
Sterling's head dropped, her eyes swimming in tears. "I should have known. I should have known it wasn't about me."
"Sterling—" Forrest started toward her and found himself blocked by both West and Tenn. "Let me explain."
"I don't want to hear it," Sterling said, her voice flat, eyes broken. "Just stay away from me." She turned to go, looking around the parking lot with unseeing eyes. With a nod at West, Tenn intercepted Sterling, pulling her into a tight hug as he led her back toward the Inn.
West looked at the deputy who still held a cuffed Bryce. "Take him in. I'll be right behind you."
The deputy pushed Bryce in the direction of his patrol car, ignoring Bryce's threats to call his mother.
West speared Elliott with a hard look. "I don't have anything on you. Let's keep it that way. I'd suggest you don't spend the night in Sawyers Bend. Got me?"
Another dazzling smile. "Of course, officer. I'll just get my family and we'll be on our way."
West didn't bother to hide his laugh. "Good luck with that. Make sure I don't see you again." To Forrest, he said, "First thing Monday, in my office."
"I'll be there," Forrest promised, his dark eyes troubled, mouth tight.
Tenn strode back into the parking lot. "Stay away from Sterling," he ordered.
"Am I fired?" Forrest asked warily.
"Are you kidding me?" Tenn stared at Forrest as if his CFO was an alien who'd suddenly stripped off his human suit.
"Let me explain. Please. I did this all wrong, but once I'd started, I didn't know how to fix it."
Tenn stared at Forrest for a long time. "You know, I liked you. Didn't like you with my sister, but aside from that, I liked you. Thought you were a good guy."
"I am a good guy. I just— I knew your father. I knew you, even though you don't remember. But I didn't know if all of you grew up like him. I couldn't trust you." He rolled his shoulders, straightening with resolve. "I wish I could go back and do this over, but I can't. At least let me tell you everything before you toss me out."
Tenn appeared to consider. "I'll make you a deal. You stay away from Sterling tonight. Come to the house tomorrow and say your piece then."
"I can't walk away from her." Forrest protested, his voice breaking under the effort to force out the words.
"You just admitted you used her for access to Heartstone Manor. If you know her at all, you know that kind of bullshit was the last thing she needed. She's with her family now. We'll look after her. If she's still willing to see you after tomorrow, that's up to her."
Forrest's shoulders dropped and he nodded. "If that's the best deal I can get, I'll take it. For now."
He strode off into the night, the darkness closing around him, leaving Tenn, me, and the boys alone with Elliott.
Chapter Forty-Three
SCARLETT
"Well, that didn't go the way I'd planned," Elliott said with a practiced smile, this one just a little sheepish. He had, ‘Aww shucks, I didn't mean it,’ painted all over his face.
I shifted August on my hip, my arms aching from his weight, ready to put him in the car and go home. Elliott stepped forward as if to take August, but Tenn was already there, plucking August from my hold and settling him easily in his arms.
August wrapped an arm around Tenn's neck and whispered something that sounded suspiciously like ‘s’mores.’ Tenn chuckled. "Maybe tomorrow, buddy," he said in a low voice, his eyes on Elliott.
Elliott pretended he didn't mind seeing his son in Tenn's arms. "I could use a ride home," he said, his eyes on Thatcher, maybe sensing that Thatch was the easiest target. After all, Thatcher had stuck by his side through so much already. What was a little more?