Zoe stopped dead. Her head was reeling from what the ladies had said inside but this was worse. She whirled around, focusing on the reporter.

“What did you say?”

“I just asked if you had given him insider information. I did some digging on your town and it seems that your boyfriend and a guy called Chris Lyons are the main investors behind the regeneration project. It doesn’t seem that popular among the locals. What’s your opinion on it?”

“There will be no regeneration program. Cloudy Bay is perfect the way it is,” Zoe took a deep breath. “Are you going to print that?”

“Sure lady. Can I quote you?”

“Leave my partner alone, Weatherson. Go dig in someone else’s backyard. Come on Zoe, let’s get you home.”

They rode home in silence. Zoe walked into the house first while Declan tipped the driver and then followed her. Zoe paced the floor. How could he be in business with Chris Lyons? Didn’t he know the man? How could he be behind the project to turn Cloudy Bay into a miniature version of LA. It was perfect as it was. They didn’t need those fancy hotels or new apartments.

“Zoe, it’s not like it sounds.”

“Isn’t it? Is that why you didn’t want me going home to sort out the garage. Were you in on that too?”

“No of course not. I am not in on anything.”

“That’s not what the reporter says,” she spat back.

“Since when do you believe them? I have only met Chris Lyons once and it was weeks ago.”

“So when were you going to tell me?”

“I wasn’t.” He took a step back when she glared at him.

“It’s not like that Zoe. The man came up to me in the hotel a day or so after Conor’s wedding. He implied Conor had given him my details. At the time it sounded plausible. I just assumed he was a guest at the wedding. But after getting to know you and other residents in Cloudy Bay I didn’t go to Lyon’s meeting. I don’t know where Weatherson got the idea I was involved in the project. I’m not.”

“He can't have made that stuff up can he?” Zoe retorted but it looked as if Declan was telling the truth.

“Zoe, I have no idea why people say the stuff they do. Most of it is lies. I don’t know what Susie told you in the bathroom or why you got upset? I care about you Zoe, only you. Well, Dominic too. You are the most important people in my life. I would never do anything to hurt you. You must know that.”

Zoe sat at the table, putting her head in her hands. She didn’t know anything anymore. Her business was in the dust, her little brother’s future was gone along with her promise to her dad. The ladies in the bathroom had been pretty clear how lubricious the idea of her, a mechanic, dating Declan was and now the thoughts of him being involved with Chris Lyons. No, her brain couldn’t take any more. She stood up again and headed to her room.

“Zoe, wait. What are you doing?”

“I am going home tomorrow. I can't think straight. Everything is so false out here. There seem to be no real friendships. They are nice to your face but behind your back, you should hear what they say. I can’t live like that. I want to go back to normality.”

“What is normal? Your business is being sabotaged by a long time family friend. Is that what you are heading back to?”

She glared at him. “I have to try and save the business.”

“Zoe, it’s too late. Even if Jim wasn’t trying to close you down the market has changed. There simply isn’t enough business to keep the garage running.”

“So you think I should give up and play right into Chris Lyons hands?”

“This has nothing to do with Chris Lyons. We can stop his renovation project. Together. But first we have to sort you out. You work too hard and for what? A legacy you cannot fulfill. If your dad was here, he would tell you.”

“But he’s not here is he? You didn’t even know him.”

“No but I believe he was great man because he had two awesome kids. Zoe, you are intelligent, smart and kind. You have the biggest heart and you are beautiful to boot. I don’t know anyone else like you. Please don’t leave. I love you. I don’t ever want to be without you again. Marry me, please.”

She couldn’t look at him. He moved toward her and put a finger gently under her chin.

“Well, I guess that wouldn’t make the list of most romantic proposal ever?”

She tried to smile at his joke but she couldn’t. Her tears slipped over and slid down her cheek.

“Zoe, darling don’t cry. Please don’t. I can't bear to see you this upset. Go to bed. Tomorrow we will go back to Cloudy Bay together. We can bring Dominic if you like or he can stay here with Maria. We will sort everything out tomorrow. Together we can achieve anything. So long as we are together. Aren’t we?”

Tempted as she was to say yes, she couldn’t. Her heart and head were all over the place. Her stomach felt sick. She moved a step away from him, hating the hurt and disappointment on his face.

“I can’t. Not now. I want to go home. Alone. I need some time.”

“Okay. Whatever you want. I don’t like it but I am not going to force you to do anything. What about Dominic? Do you want him to go with you?”

She glanced at the floor. She wasn’t sure what to do. Her brother was having the time of his life. He didn’t need to know what was happening back home.

“If it’s okay for him to stay here, I would like that please.”

“Of course it’s okay. When I told you I loved you I meant it. As far as I am concerned you and Dom are a package deal. I would never come between you both. He has a home here with us. Please think about us.”

“I will,” she whispered, the unshed tears making it hard to speak. “Please go.”

“I will go sort out your flight. No argument. You are not driving back to Cloudy Bay. The drive is too long especially in this state. Use the jet.”

She didn’t answer. Then she heard the door close softly behind him.

She lay on the bed, muffling her tears with her pillow. How could the night of her dreams have turned into such a nightmare?