“We want to talk to you about the Bachelor Blog,” Coop said to Amanda.
Sara studied the other woman intently.
Amanda met Coop’s gaze. “I don’t understand. Did you want me to talk to Stan about the blog?” she asked.
“That’s our editor in chief,” Coop explained to Sara and Rafe. “And no, it’s not Stan we want to talk to about the blog. It’s you.”
“Okay…?” What seemed like genuine confusion crossed Amanda’s face.
“We want you to stop writing about us,” Sara jumped in impatiently.
“But you’re making no sense. If you don’t want me to mention Rafe and Sara in the article that includes Angel’s B and B, you have nothing to worry about. But Coop, you know I have nothing to do with the Bachelor Blog.” She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
Nervous because she was lying? Or nervous because she was genuinely confused? Sara wondered.
“Actually, I know no such thing,” Coop said. “What I know for a fact is that the blogger is anonymous to everyone but Stan. My gut tells me it’s you.”
Amanda’s eyes opened wide. “That’s ridiculous. I’m the features editor!” She curled a long strand of hair around and around one finger.
Coop shook his head. “You could be the blogger, too. The blogger who heard from Angel directly about where Sara was staying and the features editor who is also doing an article about great summer escapes and happened to choose Angel’s.”
“That’s a reach,” Amanda said, her leg swinging back and forth in front of her.
Sara sighed. They needed to appeal to her more directly. Maybe if Sara personalized the situation, Amanda would confess her role and end Sara’s and Rafe’s stint in the blog.
Sara leaned forward in her seat. “Look, my boss already asked you to stop discussing our whereabouts in the blog because you’re jeopardizing my safety, and you said no. But Coop thought now that you’ve met me, you’d reconsider.”
A look of disbelief crossed her face. “Nobody asked me to stop. Nobody mentioned anything about anyone’s safety. I don’t understand,” she said, her voice shaking.
Sara met Coop’s gaze. That was as much of a confession as they were likely to get.
He rose and walked over to where Amanda was seated. “Stan didn’t tell you Captain Hodges called?”
She shook her head.
Rafe let out a low growl.
“Son of a bitch.” Coop was more expressive. “That bastard was willing to risk Sara’s life as long as his paper is making money.”
Amanda, gaze narrowed, looked from Sara to Rafe then back to Coop. “What do you mean? What exactly is going on?”
“Have you been following the news about the Morley case?” Sara asked.
“Other than the fact that he allegedly killed his wife? Not really.” Amanda blushed at her ignorance. “I don’t really follow hard news.”
“She’s more of a fashion girl,” Coop said fondly.
Obviously, now that he knew Amanda hadn’t deliberately refused to help, Coop had forgiven her. Sara understood why. All Sara cared about was making Amanda understand the situation.
She explained the Morley case and how Amanda’s blog had been inadvertently alerting Morley’s people to Sara’s whereabouts. “My apartment’s been tossed, and I’ve had direct warnings not to come back and testify since I’ve been in town.”
Amanda spread her hands wide. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She drew a deep breath. “I’ll stop posting about you immediately.”
Rafe rose from his seat. “That’s a start, but I was hoping you’d be willing to do more.” He took charge, and Sara couldn’t tear her gaze away.
“Such as?” Amanda asked.
“Yes. Such as?” She had no idea what Rafe had in mind, but she couldn’t wait to hear.
“Sara’s due to return to New York soon to testify. When she does, I want you to print your final blog about us. Tell the world we’re not only engaged, but we went to Bermuda to get married. Throw them off her trail so she can return to New York safely.”
“Brilliant,” Sara said in awe of Rafe’s idea.
Coop nodded. “I’m impressed.”
All three looked to Amanda for an answer.
The woman stood and paced the floor of the small living room. “I’m horrified Stan didn’t tell me the police called and asked me to back off.”
“Join the club,” Coop muttered.
Sara knew her friend and also knew he’d cemented his decision to leave the paper sooner rather than later.
Amanda turned to face them. “Of course I’ll do it. I owe you that much, if not more. You tell me when, and I’ll be ready to run with it,” she promised.
“And in the meantime?” Sara asked.
“I’ll finish up the bachelor who’s also featured now, run with your story when you’re ready…and call it a day. I can’t work for someone with no morals.”
Sara was satisfied. They had a deal. They had a plan. When the time came, she could go home.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ON THE WAY BACK FROM ANGEL’S, Rafe stopped at Pirro and Aunt Vivian’s house so he could check on the older man. Sara admired his dedication to his family. She’d even venture a guess that he felt less confined and constricted by them than he had in the past. He liked to complain about their intrusiveness, but in his heart he adored each and every one of them. Today, realizing the events of last night had been overwhelming, Rafe had wanted to see for himself that Pirro was doing okay and that he’d mended things with his wife.
Their cars were in the driveway. When nobody answered the doorbell, Rafe grabbed Sara’s hand, sending a jolt of awareness spiraling through her. Enjoying the feeling of being a couple, she let him lead her around back where they found Vi and Pirro holding court on the patio. Rafe’s parents were there, along with friends and neighbors.
“Is it a holiday from work that nobody told me about?” Rafe asked, glancing around at the crowd.
“I gave everyone the day off in honor of Pirro’s heroism,” Rafe’s father said, holding up a bottle of beer.
Rafe shook his head and laughed. “Then hand one over so we can toast to Pirro, the hero.”
Sara grinned. She and Rafe had agreed not to spoil Pirro’s version of events. Apparently, they’d been celebrating, too. Sara was happy to join them. Especially with going home to New York looming large in her thoughts now, it was especially sweet to spend time with Rafe’s large family. Too soon, she’d be home alone.