Her heart began to pound as fear gripped her. Had something happened to Mamaw? She’d spoken to her grandmother just hours earlier when she and Rafael had landed in Houston. She’d sounded fine then and eager to see Bryony again.
She recognized one of the vehicles as belonging to Mayor Daniels. What would he be doing here?
She pulled into the gravel driveway and turned off the ignition. Her grandmother stepped out onto the front porch followed by Mayor Daniels, who wore a frown, and Sheriff Taylor, who didn’t look any happier.
She opened her door and scrambled out. “Mamaw, is everything all right? Are you okay?”
“Oh, honey, I’m fine. Sorry if we worried you. The mayor and the sheriff had some questions.” Her grandmother eyed Rafael as he got out of the passenger seat. “We all do.”
Bryony frowned and looked over at Mayor Daniels. “It couldn’t wait? We’ve been traveling all day and got stuck in a traffic jam on the interstate.”
The mayor picked up his finger and began to shake it, as he did every time he was upset over something. The sheriff put a hand on his shoulder.
“Easy, Rupert, give her a chance to explain.”
“Explain what?” Bryony demanded.
“Why a ferry full of construction equipment landed on our island yesterday and why they’re set to start building some fancy new hotel on the land you sold to Tricorp Investment,” the mayor said as he shook an accusing finger at Bryony.
She shook her head adamantly. “There must be some mistake, Mayor. I’ve been in New York City all week to straighten out this mess. Rafael would have told me if construction was already scheduled to begin. And I didn’t sell to Tricorp. I sold to Rafael.”
The sheriff grimaced. “There’s no mistake, Bry. I questioned the men myself. Asked to see their permits. Everything is all legal. I even asked to see the plans. That whole stretch of the beach is going to be turned into a resort, complete with its own helicopter pad.”
Her mouth dropped open and she turned to Rafael, dread and disappointment nearly choking her. “Rafael?”
Rafael bit out a curse as he faced four accusing stares. Bryony’s was confused, though, and a little dazed. Pain and bewilderment made their way across her face and the look in her eyes made him wince.
“Now see here,” the mayor began as he stepped forward.
Rafael brought him up short with a jerk of his hand. He stared hard at the other man and the mayor took a hasty step back, nearly pulling the sheriff in front of him for protection.
“This is a matter between Bryony and myself,” he said in an even voice. “As she said, we’re tired. We’ve traveled all day, she’s pregnant and she’s dead on her feet. I won’t stand here arguing with you in her driveway.”
“But—” The mayor turned to the sheriff. “Silas? Are you going to let him get away with this?”
The sheriff sighed and adjusted his hat. “What he’s doing isn’t illegal, Rupert. It might be unethical, but it isn’t illegal. He owns the land. He can do what he likes with it.”
“Rafael? Did you approve this? Is it true they’re starting construction?” Bryony asked in a strained voice.
Her grandmother stepped to her side and wrapped her arm around Bryony’s waist. Her grandmother was a frail-looking woman and it irritated Rafael to no end that it was Bryony who looked the more fragile of the two at the moment.
“We’ll discuss this in private,” he said tightly.
“Do you want him here, Bry?” the sheriff asked.
Bryony raised a hand to her temple and rubbed as if she had no idea what to say to that question. Hurt crowded her eyes, and then deep fatigue, as if all her energy had been sapped in a single instant.
Knowing if he didn’t take control of the situation, he’d likely be carted off to some second-rate jail cell, Rafael moved to Bryony’s side and gently pried her away from her grandmother. He wrapped his arm around her waist and cupped his hand over her elbow.
“We’ll talk inside,” he murmured.
She stared up at him as if she searched for some shred of truth or maybe deceit. He couldn’t be entirely sure what she was thinking.
Then she stiffened and looked toward the two men. “He’s staying here, Silas. I appreciate your concern.”
“And the construction?” Rupert asked in agitation. “What am I supposed to tell everyone? It wasn’t me who sold the land to the outsider but it happened on my watch. I’ll never win reelection if it becomes known that the island went to hell during my term.”
“Rupert, shut up,” Bryony’s grandmother said sharply. “My granddaughter is upset enough without you yammering on about your political career.”
“Come on, Rupert. Nothing good can come of us standing in her driveway at this hour. There’ll be plenty of time to sort this out tomorrow,” Silas said as he herded the older man toward his vehicle.
As he left, he tipped his hat to Bryony. “Let me know if you need anything, young lady.”
Bryony gave him a tight smile and nodded her thanks. When the two men were gone, Bryony’s grandmother hugged her.
“I’m glad you’re home. I worry when you travel. Especially to a city like New York.”
If Rafael had expected the older woman to turn on him in anger he was wrong. Instead she gently enfolded him in a hug and patted his cheek.
“Welcome back, young man. I’m glad you found your way back here.”
With that, she walked down a narrow stone path in the grass that led to the adjoining yard.
“Will she be okay?” Rafael asked with a frown. “Should we take her home?”
Bryony sighed. “She lives next door. Just a few steps from my front door.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry.”
“Yeah, I know, you don’t remember.”
This time her tone lacked the patience and understanding she’d exhibited until now. There was an undercurrent of hurt that cut into him and pricked his conscience.
Hell. He’d once have argued that he didn’t have a conscience when it came to business. Business was business. Nothing personal. Only now … it was definitely personal.
“Come on,” she said. “We need to get all this luggage inside.”
He put his hand on her arm. “You go in. I’ll bring in the luggage. Don’t argue. Go get something to drink or eat if you’re hungry. I’ll be in in just a moment.”
She shrugged and walked to the steps leading onto the porch. A moment later, she disappeared into the house, leaving Rafael standing in the driveway staring at his surroundings with keen eyes.
So this is where he’d spent so many days and nights. This is where his life had supposedly undergone such a drastic change. He didn’t feel anything other than that he was distinctly out of his comfort zone and in way over his head.
He carried the luggage in two trips to the front porch and then propped her door open and began lugging the bags into the living room.
As he stepped in, he stared around, absorbing the look and feel of the place Bryony called home. It reflected her personality to a T. Sunny, cheerful, a