Free Surrender to Love by Raine English Page B

of the house. Tara opened the front door to let the officer in, and as he entered the foyer, her grandmother appeared at the top of the stairs.
    She looked down at the scene below in horror. “What in the world is going on here?”
    Tara ran up the stairs to help her down. “I think it’s time we installed an alarm system,” she answered, trying to make light of the situation, and at the same time thinking that might not be a bad idea.
    Officer Dailey cuffed Tim and then dragged him outside. She watched as Easton went out with them. Her mind was spinning as a gamut of emotions assailed her. She didn’t know what to think. Had Easton used her, as that criminal implied? The thought sickened her. Last night, his emotions had seemed so real…the way he’d touched her…made her feel… That couldn’t have been an act, could it?
    She helped her grandmother into the parlor and sat next to her on the sofa as she explained everything.
    When she finished, her grandmother said, “All this because of Addison’s codicil.”
    Tara sucked in a deep breath. “Yeah, I guess when there’s money at stake, people will do just about anything.”
    Her grandmother reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m not surprised that Boyd and Bennett would want to get their hands on it, but I find it hard to believe that Easton would be a party to that. Don’t jump to conclusions and believe what a crook says. You need to speak to your young man.”
    Tara swallowed hard and quickly looked away so her grandmother wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. She glanced out the window to see Officer Dailey coming up the walkway. Although they’d left the front door open, he used the brass door knocker before entering the house. “I’m taking the suspect down to the station now. You ladies are welcome to pick up a report any time. I’m sure you’ll be sleeping a lot easier now.”
    “Thank you, Officer Dailey.” Tara got up and walked him out. Easton was standing beside the police car. Blood still oozed from the cut above his eye. He caught her looking at him and held her gaze. She had a hard time reading his expression but thought she saw a glimpse of regret, although she couldn’t be sure because he turned and walked away. She watched him cut across the lawn to go next door. When he was out of sight, she slowly closed the door. There was a heavy feeling in her stomach and chest as she walked back into the parlor.
    “Where’s Easton? Isn’t he coming back inside?” her grandmother asked.
    Tara shook her head. Her tongue felt thick. “He went home. I’m going to go clean up the glass.” She walked with leaden steps to the kitchen. When she got there, she just stood in the center of the room, staring at the back door’s broken window but not really seeing it. A haze of despair blurred her vison. All she could think about was last night. Just a few short hours ago, she’d been in Easton’s arms and blissfully happy. How quickly that happiness had been shattered. She glanced down at the floor and all the glittering pieces of glass and realized she’d forgotten the broom. It was still in the foyer. When she went back for it, her grandmother was coming down the stairs with her book tucked down her arm.
    “Thought I’d do some reading, but I’d rather have you come sit with me for a while. Don’t worry about the glass now. It can wait.”
    “You’re right, and I’d rather sit and talk to you anyway.” Tara walked with her into the parlor, and then sat down next to her on the sofa.
    Her grandmother put the book in her lap and studied Tara’s face. “You remind me so much of your father. Every time I look at you, I see him, and it makes me regret even more what happened between him and your grandfather. Many times I wished I could go back in time and change things. Addison felt the same way, you know. He loved your dad and always regretted letting his dream—the brewery—come between them. That’s why when he made the change to