Bell’s body gave a small shudder, and I released her hand, pulling her against me. I needed more contact. Felt like if I had that, I could protect her in some way. My ribs screamed in protest, but I ignored them. “It wasn’t great.”

Parker nodded. “I’m going to have to talk to them. Is there anyone else that you can think of? Someone who expressed thoughts or feelings that seemed odd or out of place?”

A faraway look overtook Bell’s face, one that included flashes of pain every few seconds. She was back in the past, the time that had hurt her so badly. I had the sudden urge to deck the sheriff for forcing her to go back there, even though I knew he was only trying to help. “I know there were people who thought Ford should’ve been at the funeral, shown his support, but it’s honestly all a bit of a blur.”

Those people weren’t wrong. I should’ve been there, no matter what Bell’s parents had threatened. A toxic mix of anger and guilt swirled in my gut. “I’m so sorry, Trouble.” I whispered the words in her ear, but I was sure Parker heard it.

Bell turned in my arms. “No. You will not let judgmental assholes make you feel guilty. You were hurting. You were eighteen and scared. We both made mistakes, but we’re not going to let people who have no place in our lives make us feel bad for something they know nothing about.”

The corners of my lips tipped up. “Sometimes, I forget how fiery you can get.” It was a dangerous thing to forget because when fire was pointed at you, the burns could be lethal. But it was so damn beautiful to watch.

Bell scowled at me, and both Parker and I burst out laughing. She threw up her hands. “No one takes me seriously.”

I pulled her back against me with my good arm, pressing my lips to the top of her head. The scents of jasmine and that thing that I’d always associated with Bell but had never been able to identify filled my senses. I breathed her in, letting the fragrance soothe my frayed nerves. “We take you seriously, Trouble. Trust me.”

Parker cleared his throat. “I’m going to keep looking into who might have a grudge against Ford. Bell, have you noticed anything odd either before Ford returned or after? Anyone paying you attention that felt off? Anything at all?”

Bell gave a small jerk in my arms. “The gifts.”

“Gifts…plural?” I’d almost forgotten about Vi’s scarf that had been left on Bell’s doorstep, but had there been more that she hadn’t told me about? I fought the clench in my hands as I did my best to keep my frustration in check.