Christina and KC remained at the back of the parlor near the fireplace while many townspeople mingled throughout the room.
“Hello, Sadie,” KC said, pulling Sadie into a hug. “We were hoping to get to see you.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sadie said, feeling the inadequacy of having no true way to comfort them.
“Thank you,” Christina replied, ever gracious. “I’m glad you could come by.”
Sadie glanced around. “This place is incredible.”
KC grinned. “I felt the same way when I first stepped inside. I bet your photographer’s senses are at full attention.”
“Definitely.”
The sound of a large group of people in the foyer had them all turning their heads in that direction. Several couples who had all arrived at the same time made their way to the Blackstone brothers first.
“Looks like we’re about to have our hands full,” Christina said, patting Sadie’s arm. “We’ll see you more in a little while, but please feel free to explore.”
“And Zach is around here somewhere, too,” KC added, her smile looking a little sly to Sadie.
KC hadn’t made any secret of her approval as the two women had gotten to know each other more, and had hinted a time or two that she didn’t understand why Sadie and Zach didn’t at least go on one date. Obviously Zach had not filled his sister in on their history. Sadie wasn’t going to do it for him.
It was simply another dark mark on the friendships she was creating here. She told herself she need never see these people again after she betrayed one of their own, which only reinforced the notion that she didn’t want to cut them out of her life.
Dangerous thinking.
Sadie wandered around the room, studying the architecture and antiques while she conversed with more of the townspeople. Several of the men she’d gotten to know at the mill introduced her to their families. The Batemans led her across the breezeway into a glorious dining room that had a full spread of food laid out.
They met up with another couple and were distracted talking, so Sadie wandered to the front of the room to look out the window. A man in a dark suit stood to one side of the front windows. He reminded her of other men she’d just passed in the breezeway and front parlor. They were so still they almost faded into the woodwork.
Security.
Then Sadie saw another man approach. She took in the dark tanned skin and close-cropped hair for the first time since she’d returned. He wore a dark suit and tie, along with dark sunglasses to protect his eyes from the winter glare. He paused beside the first man, the angle of his pose allowing her to see the wire for a communication device running up to his ear.
The entire time Sadie had been back in Black Hills, the impact of Zach’s new position hadn’t really become a reality to her. He’d been directing cleanup and safety crews at the mill. There were other days when she didn’t see him at all, and she knew he had taken over an old, established house not far from the town square as his new business headquarters, but she’d never really asked what actually running a security firm entailed.
It made sense that a family who had been targeted for over a year and a half would want this time of grief to be peaceful and safe. They knew the most prominent people in the county, not to mention in the region, and all of the brothers had contacts elsewhere. A lot of people were going to be in and out of this house over the next week.
As he glanced up at the window, it hit home that it was Zach’s job to ensure all ran smoothly and safely. Ever the protector. Ever the hero—without all the glory.
Looking at him only brought home just how opposite they were in this situation. He was here to protect those around him. She was here to betray the one they trusted.
Turning, Sadie took her shame with her as she walked away. Surveying the people mingling and eating in the room, she noticed a small woman at one end of the sideboard picking up a half-empty tray and moving toward a door at the end of the room. Sadie hurried her steps to reach the door just as the woman did.
With a smile Sadie held it open so the woman could slip through unhindered. Sadie herself had performed the maneuver many times, but a helping hand had always been appreciated...and rarely offered.