Cold River - Carla Neggers [63]
No one spoke for a moment. “So, Hannah,” A.J. said, “how are you after your hike up to the cabin and your incident at Four Corners yesterday?”
“Sore.”
A.J. bristled at her response, but he kept his temper in check. “It’s still hard to figure out what went on in the cemetery—if Bowie just knocked the wrong rock and the whole thing came tumbling down, if it was the wind or what. Your face looks good.” He nodded to her wrist. “That’s not pretty. Any other scrapes and bruises?”
“Nothing I’m worried about.”
Hannah realized her breathing was light, rapid. She figured they’d decided that Sean had failed on his own and now the three of them would try to get answers out of her. But she had no answers, and she wasn’t accustomed to such scrutiny.
“Why go alone up to the cabin?” A.J. asked. “Any of us would have gone with you.”
“So Sean told me yesterday. I appreciate that. I know I was on Cameron land, but—”
“That’s not the point. Hiking alone in winter conditions isn’t safe. Why did you do it?”
“I knew I could count on you Camerons to come rescue me,” Hannah said with a deliberately fake smile.
A.J. didn’t so much as crack a smile back at her. Sean and Elijah drank their coffee, letting their older brother do the interrogating. They’d probably figured it out in advance. Of the three brothers, A.J. had the least patience with her and had never treated her with kid gloves. But she’d never been intimidated by him, either.
“What were you looking for?” he asked.
“Peace of mind.”
Technically it was true. She didn’t care if she was being obstinate. She didn’t want to drag them on a wild-goose chase—and she didn’t want to subject Bowie to unfair scrutiny.
A.J. gave a small hiss of irritation. Sean didn’t move. Elijah leaned forward and placed a hand on Hannah’s arm, probably aware his older brother was about to throttle her. “We’re not ganging up on you, Hannah. We want to help.”
“Help with what? The leak in the cellar? The lunch menu?”
A.J. shot to his feet. “I knew this would be a waste of time.”
If Jo Harper had a knack for rubbing her the wrong way, Hannah thought, she, on the other hand, had a knack for rubbing A.J. Cameron the wrong way. He was as hard-bitten as his father had been, and as devoted to Black Falls.
His expression softened slightly as he glared down at her. “We’re on the same side. Keep that in mind.”
As he stalked out of the café, Hannah wanted to jump up and run, but where to? The kitchen? Upstairs to her apartment? She supposed she could lock herself in the cellar with the water leak and the spiders. The Camerons and the Harpers were two of the most prominent and beloved families in Black Falls, and she didn’t like being confronted—targeted—by them.
Elijah tried again. “Hannah, this isn’t an inquisition. We know the past month’s been tough on you. You almost lost Devin. We’re here to help.”
But how could they? She’d been truthful with Sean last night. She didn’t want to distract them with some useless tidbits when they had enough on their minds. After five weeks, all of them—herself included—were ripe to latch onto the slightest lead, no matter how unsubstantiated or ridiculous or wrong-headed.
“I just want to see my brothers off to California.” Rising abruptly, she forced herself to stay steady, contained, and turned to Sean. “They’re excited about their trip. They’ll be ready tomorrow whenever you are.”
Before Sean could respond, she pivoted and headed back across the café and behind the glass case. Dominique mumbled that she’d be back in the kitchen and ducked through the swinging door.
Beth Harper passed A.J. in the main entrance, taking in the scene as she approached Hannah. “Uh-oh. A Cameron gathering.”
Hannah managed a smile in spite of her tension. “They had a few questions for me, which I’ve answered. Would you mind staying out here while I—”
“Go ahead. Do what you have to do.” Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Hannah, you’re not going to cry, are you?”
“Not because of them,” she said, and fled into the kitchen.
Dominique