Free In Shelter Cove by Barbara Freethy Page B

of man would steal something so important to the people who loved him. What kind of man would marry awoman while he was serving a prison term? What kind of man would—”
    “Stop!” She put up a hand in protest, his words making her stomach turn over. “I know who Derek was. I was his wife.”
    “And I was his grandfather. I watched him grow up. I taught him how to paint. I listened to his dreams. You had a six-month fairy-tale romance, followed by a five-year relationship conducted over a prison telephone. You can’t
begin
to compete with what I know about Derek and what you don’t. And if you keep asking questions, you might be surprised to find that the answers are even worse than you imagine. If you want to save some scrap of Derek’s reputation for your son, then leave the past alone.”
    Wyatt stalked toward the back of the gallery, motioning to the Markhams to follow him.
    Brianna let out a breath, shaken by his harsh and cruel words. He seemed so certain of Derek’s guilt. Did he know something she didn’t?
    She saw Katherine’s speculative gaze on her and was grateful that the gallery was otherwise empty.
    “Wyatt loved Derek,” Katherine said quietly.
    “Did he?”
    “The people you love are the only ones who can hurt you that badly.”
    Maybe that was true, or maybe Wyatt was just an egotistical ass who couldn’t see past his own importance. With a muttered good-bye, Briana left, relieved to be out in the open air.
    Perhaps she needed to take a step back and thinkabout her approach. There was so much anger toward Derek that she doubted anyone in the art community would be willing to help her, especially with Wyatt standing so firmly on the other side. And the police had no interest in reopening an investigation that might only make one or more of their officers look bad. She would have to find another way into the past.
    Heading down the street to the bakery, she saw Nancy and Lucas sitting at an outside table. Her son’s eyes sparkled with delight when he saw her, and his smile was all she needed to put the world right again. Whatever mistakes she and Derek might have made, Lucas wasn’t one of them. And she would do whatever it took to keep that smile on his face.

F IVE
     
    “We had tarts,” Lucas told her with a delighted grin. “My favorite is raspberry. Daddy’s was, too.”
    Brianna suspected Nancy had made the comparison for him. She was a little worried by how often the Kanes compared Lucas to Derek. She wanted Lucas to be loved for himself, not as a replacement for the son they’d lost.
    “Would you like one?” Nancy asked, nodding to the pink bakery box on the table. “I got some for us to take home.”
    “Maybe later.” Her stomach was still churning from her recent conversation with Wyatt.
    “I guess we’re ready to go to the quilt shop, then,” Nancy said as she got to her feet. She gave Brianna a curious look as they started walking. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”
    “I ran into Wyatt at the Markham Gallery,” she said.
    Nancy’s eyes filled with worry. “Oh, dear. Was he horrible?”
    “Yes. I knew he thought Derek was guilty, but I didn’t realize how deep his anger went.”
    “He’s been angry his whole life. Rick tried to please his father in so many ways but never could, and Rick’s mother fell short, too. Wyatt divorced her when Rick was about ten years old. He’s had half a dozen women since then, but no one stuck around very long.”
    “So Derek was just the last in a string of family disappointments in Wyatt’s mind?” Brianna kept an eye on Lucas, who was walking a few steps ahead, delightedly jumping over the sidewalk cracks.
    “Once Wyatt makes up his mind, it’s impossible to change it.” Nancy paused, her gaze still concerned. “Brianna, why did you go to the gallery? The Markhams were never on Derek’s side. If you think they’ll help us clear Derek’s name, you’re mistaken.”
    “I know. It was just an impulsive