Putting a gallon of bleach and a mop in her buggy, she went to the cash register where she recognized the woman ringing up purchases. Sutton ignored her curious gaze, handing her the cash for her supplies.
“Sutton Creech?” Cheryl asked in dismay.
“Hi, Cheryl.”
“Damn, I can’t believe my eyes. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Sutton was aware of the difference in her appearance. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. Overall, the years had been kind to her, although they had been better to Cheryl, who was still as attractive as she had been in high school.
“How long are you visiting?”
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t made up my mind.” Sutton picked up her bag, wanting to get out the door as fast as possible.
“Wait, you can’t just run off! We used to be best friends. Look, give me a minute, and we can go get a cup of coffee.”
“I’m kind of in a hurry. Maybe next time…” Sutton felt guilty after seeing the disappointment on Cheryl’s face. She remembered the many sleepovers they’d had in high school.
Sutton relented. Trying to avoid everyone was going to be a waste of time. Treepoint was too small. She would be better off just getting it over with and satisfying their curiosity. Then the town gossips could move on to someone else.
“Never mind. I’ll put my bag in my car and meet you outside.”
Cheryl’s face broke into a smile as she motioned for someone to take over the counter. Jared didn’t look happy as Cheryl explained they were going for a break. Sutton hadn’t liked Jared in high school, and she could see he hadn’t changed any since he and Cheryl had been together.
Sutton went outside, placing the bag in the trunk of her car. She was slamming it shut when she saw Cheryl came outside.
“You sure you have the time to go for a coffee? Jared didn’t look too happy.”
Cheryl made a comical face. “I quit worrying about what Jared thought when I found out he was cheating on me.” Cheryl placed her arm through hers as they walked down the sidewalk toward the diner. Sutton felt uncomfortable with the friendly gesture, so she sped up, forcing Cheryl to release her.
The restaurant was busy with the breakfast crowd when they entered, but few of the customers paid them any attention.
She and Cheryl managed to grab a small table for two in the corner and ordered coffee before the waitress could escape.
“I’m sorry to hear about Jared.” Sutton immediately directed the conversation toward Cheryl. If she was still like she was in high school, it would keep them occupied until it was time to return from her break.
Cheryl shrugged. “I went a little crazy when I found out. Our divorce was just final a few weeks ago. He had the nerve to fight it after I found out he was banging five different women in town. He had even put one up in her own apartment so he could visit her anytime he wanted.”
Sutton felt terrible for her friend. She knew how much Cheryl had idolized her jock boyfriend in high school.
“You warned me he was cheating on me before you left town, and I didn’t listen. I should have.”
Sutton’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “I didn’t take any of your advice, either, so we’re even.”
“Which one was the reason you left town? Tate or Cash?”
“Neither.” Sutton leaned back in her chair so the waitress could set their coffees down. “I left for college. Anything I had with Tate and Cash was over before I packed my suitcases.”
Cheryl gave a short laugh. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when you showed up at prom with Cash in that green dress. You two looked like you were made for each other.”
“Hardly. Cash and I never went out again after that night. He had moved on to another girl by Monday.”
“Well, he’s settled down now. He’s married to Rachel Porter.”
“I can’t imagine Cash settling down with one woman.”
“Believe it. Besides, how can he get away with cheating? Her brothers would kill him, and Rachel is just as good with a shotgun.”
“I’m happy for them,” Sutton said truthfully.
“Wish my marriage had turned out as well, but my divorce is working out much better. I quit working at the hardware store when I found out Jared was cheating on me. It was hard with him owning the store, but after the divorce, he offered me my job back. There aren’t a lot of jobs around, and he promised to keep our personal life out of it. So far, it’s worked out well. We’re getting along better than when we were married. We’ve even gone out a couple of times.”
Sutton narrowed her eyes at Cheryl’s expression. “Be careful you don’t fall down that rabbit hole twice, Alice.”
She waved away her concern. “I’m not as innocent as I was in high school. After I found out Jared was cheating, I had a little payback of my own.”
“Really?” Sutton couldn’t imagine Cheryl taking that route.
“Really. I almost joined a biker club, but I screwed up, and they tossed me out.”
“A biker club is in Treepoint?” The small town had changed since she left.
“Yep, and a pretty big one, too.”
From the look on Cheryl’s face, Sutton was sure she was more upset about losing the biker club than Jared.
“Have they been keeping the judge busy?”
“Nope. The Porters have, though. Greer was caught selling some of his weed to an undercover cop, and Tate went to court not too long ago for getting in a fight with Lyle Turner.”
Sutton kept her expression neutral. “What happened?”
“With Lyle or court?”
“Both.”
“Lyle towed Greer’s truck when he broke down on the road home. When Tate took him to pick it up at Lyle’s garage, he charged him twice the tow charge. It started an argument, but Lyle was drunk and swung first, so your father threw the case out.” Cheryl’s head tilted to the side. “Your dad didn’t tell you any of this?”
“He must have forgotten to mention it,” Sutton said evasively. She already knew much of what Cheryl had told her, since she read the Daily Herald online every day, but she figured, if Cheryl was gossiping about everyone else, she wasn’t questioning her. Of course, no sooner did the thought pop into her head than Cheryl turned the conversation in her direction.
“Enough about me and the town. What about you?” She nodded at her hand. “Who did you marry? How long have you been married?”
“I’m a widow.”
Cheryl paled, her hand reaching out to cover Sutton’s on the table. “I’m so sorry.”
Sutton moved her hand away, not wanting the gesture of sympathy. “Thank you. He died six years ago. I’m over the worst of it.” She told the partial truth. She would never recover from Scott’s death.
She reached for her purse. “You better get back to work. You’ve been gone for twenty minutes.”
“Dammit. I’ll catch you later. I’ll drop by your parent’s—”
“I’m not staying there. I’m staying at Pap’s cabin.”
“Why? No one’s been there for years.”
Sutton didn’t miss having to explain every detail of her life.
“I wanted some rest and relaxation while I’m visiting.” She stood, giving Cheryl a brief hug. “Get back to work. I’ll take care of the bill. I’ll see you before I leave.”
“You better. I’ve missed you. Bye, Sutton.”
“Bye, Cheryl.”
Sutton went to the cash register to pay the check, ignoring the glances she felt on her back as she headed to the door. She was about to push the door open when she saw a couple sitting at one of the tables.
Tate was sitting in the restaurant with a woman she didn’t recognize. She was very attractive, smiling at Tate, and a child, who looked about five or six, was seated at the table next to them. When Tate looked up, Sutton glanced away from his gaze, quickly going out the door.
The little boy had the Porter red hair. Did Tate have a child while she was gone, or was that Dustin’s son? He wou
ld be about the right age from what she remembered from the news article. The Daily Herald had written about Samantha Langley’s death and her missing child. Months later, another article had given an update of how a man named Knox had been cleared of her death and that her child had been found.
Sutton had always wondered what a child of Tate’s would look like. She now had her answer. The little boy inside the restaurant was the image of him. He had the same auburn hair and green eyes. Their facial features were similar, although where Tate’s features were harsh with an I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, the little boy was all boyish innocence.
Sutton dug her fingernails into the palm of her hands, battling back emotions she had thought were locked away. She forced them back, strengthening the emotionless void that was the only way she knew to survive.
She started to cross the street as she almost bumped into a couple who were about to enter the diner. They stared at her curiously, both of them taking only a second to recognize her.
“Sutton.”
“Hello, Cash … Rachel.”
Of the two, Cash Adams was the friendliest. Rachel’s smile had left her face, an angry glint entering her eyes.
“When did you get back in town?”
Rachel didn’t wait to hear the answer to her husband’s question, trying to ignore her as she headed inside the restaurant. Cash draped his arm around her shoulders, holding her in place.
Sutton licked her lips. This was far worse than she had anticipated it would be. Rachel wasn’t even trying to hide her hatred.
“A couple of days ago.” Sutton began to leave, not wanting Rachel to feel uncomfortable.
“Where are you staying?”
Sutton hesitated. Cash was the only one in town who knew she wouldn’t be stepping into her old home.
“I’ve been staying at the hotel, but I’m going to be staying at Pap’s house.”
Cash’s face became concerned. “That place has been empty for a long time. Be careful. Several of the men around town have been using it while you’ve been gone.”
“The house or the property?”
“The property.”
“If they stay away from the house, then it’ll be fine.”
“You have a gun?”
Sutton rolled her eyes. “What do you think?”
“Good. Keep it loaded. If you have any trouble, call Knox. He’s a friend of mine and the sheriff now. I’ll let him know you’re staying out there and to keep an eye on you.”
“Thanks, Cash.” Sutton didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on Rachel’s expression. The two were going to have a massive fight when she left.
“Congratulations on your marriage. I hope you both will be very happy.” Sutton glanced away, her voice choking with emotion. She had known Rachel hated her, but being faced with it was hard. At one time, she and Rachel had been extremely close.
“I better be going and let you two eat your breakfast. It was nice to see you both again.” Sutton moved away without giving them a chance to answer, stepping down off the sidewalk to cross the street toward her car. A horn blared as a hand reached out, grabbing her and tugging her back onto the sidewalk.
“That was close.” Sutton laughed shakily, her hand still in Rachel’s. She was shocked Rachel hadn’t pushed her farther into the car’s path.
A strange look crossed Rachel’s face as Sutton tried to pull her hand back. Rachel didn’t release it. Turning it over, she stared down at the palm of her hand then her wrist.
Sutton forcefully jerked her hand away, clenching her hand into a fist and dropping it to her side to hide the scars that were clearly visible.
“Bye.” Sutton tried to leave again, this time watching the traffic more carefully.
“Sutton … Why don’t you come to dinner this Saturday?”
She abruptly turned back to face Rachel, shocked. “I would like that.”
Rachel nodded. “Cash can text you directions to our home.”
“I’ll look forward to it, then. Thanks for saving my life just now.” Sutton waved her hand at the road.
Rachel’s gaze dropped to her hand. “I’m glad I was here to help.”
Sutton turned red as she stepped more cautiously into the road. She went to her car and slid inside, an uneasy feeling that Rachel had only invited her out of pity after seeing her hand and wrist foremost in her mind. It didn’t matter. Hers was one expression of sympathy she wouldn’t turn away from. Sutton would take anything she could get to have a chance to talk to her.
She turned her hand over on the steering wheel, staring down at the ugly scars marring them. Her nails had left permanent indentions into her palms, but it wasn’t the tiny circular scars that drew attention to themselves, it was the ones on her wrists. It didn’t a genius to realize they were the result of a failed suicide attempt.
Sutton started her car and pulled out into traffic cautiously.
She made no effort to hide the scars. Usually, she didn’t give anyone a chance to get close enough to see them, or if they did, she refused to feel embarrassed.
Every time she looked at them, she was reminded of how she had survived and been given a second chance, a chance to right old wrongs. Rachel was the one who haunted her the most. She was the one unresolved issue Sutton needed to fix so she could move on and leave the past behind where it belonged. She wasn’t the same weak, spoiled young girl who had left Treepoint behind. She was strong and could survive anything, even facing Tate and bring up all the old painful memories again. She had proved to herself that she wasn’t weak anymore. This time when she left Treepoint with her goals accomplished, she wouldn’t be coming back.
Chapter 6
“Who’s that Rachel and Cash are talking to?”
Tate dragged his eyes away from the window to answer Holly’s question. “That’s Sutton Creech. She used to live in town.”
“Oh. Rachel doesn’t seem too happy to see her,” Holly remarked.
“No, she doesn’t.” Tate watched as his sister and her husband talked to Sutton. He was about to get up from the table, seeing how upset Rachel was, when he saw Sutton move away, nearly getting run down by a car.
Holly gasped. “I hope she’s okay.”
“She seems fine.”
His sister’s expression had changed, and Tate relaxed back against his chair. He didn’t want to come into contact with Sutton any more than he had to.
A few minutes later, the couple came inside the restaurant after their conversation with Sutton ended. Tate critically surveyed his sister, trying to determine if she was upset from the encounter. When her troubled expression didn’t relieve his doubts, he shot Cash an angry look, which was returned with a direct stare.
“Sorry we’re late.” Rachel leaned over to kiss his cheek as they took a seat at the table.
“That’s okay. I saw you talking to Sutton. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. It won’t be the first or last time I run into one of Cash’s old girlfriends.”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend. We went out a couple of times, and that was the extent of my relationship with her.” Cash stared at his wife unapologetically.
Rachel took a sip of her water, avoiding her husband’s gaze.
Tate wanted to ram his fist in Cash’s face.
“No, she was my girlfriend. She was just a one-night stand to you.”
Cash stiffened. “You don’t know what the crap you’re talking about, Tate.” Cash’s eyes went to Logan. Tate knew, if his nephew wasn’t sitting at the table, Cash wouldn’t have been so polite.
Holly threw her napkin down on the table. “Finished, Logan?” At the little boy’s nod, she grabbed his hand and pulled him up from his chair before turning back to the group. “I’m going to take Logan to the library for an hour. I’ll meet you back at the truck.”
Holly took off with his nephew in tow, the set of her shoulders a clear reprimand. Tate stared after them, beginning to believe Greer was right. If they weren’t careful, Holly wo
uld make Logan a pussy. It was time they came home. He would talk to Dustin tonight. Since they were almost finished processing the plants, there was no reason they should remain away.
“You didn’t have to embarrass her, Tate,” Rachel scolded.
He shrugged. “Someone has to look out for you.”
Cash stiffened again. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. I don’t have to protect Rachel from Sutton. I don’t have a fucking thing to hide from her, either. There may be a lot of women I have to apologize to Rachel about, but Sutton isn’t one of those women.”
“Let’s change the subject.” Rachel placed her hand on her brother’s arm. “I’m not upset, Tate.”
He stared at her disbelievingly.
“It’s true. I have to admit I was at first, but I’m not now. I’m not even angry at her anymore.”
“Well, I am,” he stated without apology.
“Tate …”
“Let’s change the subject. Sutton isn’t worth talking about.” Tate waved his hand to catch the waitress’s attention so she could take Rachel’s order. He didn’t give a fuck if Cash ate or not.
The waitress left after taking their order, looking relieved to get away from the tension at the table.
“She’s not had an easy time since she’s been gone.” Rachel’s soft voice didn’t rouse his sympathy.
The soothing warmth he was receiving from his sister’s hand on his arm didn’t dispel the churning anger in his stomach, and Tate refused to talk about Sutton any longer.
Rachel sighed. “Your temper is going to be your downfall, Tate. Greer may be a hothead, but he gets over it fast. You hold a grudge forever.”
“Yes, I do.” He and Cash had a contentious past with fights about women, but he only remained angry about Sutton.
“You’re an asshole. I never touched Sutton, but you’re not going to change your mind despite me telling you the truth. Ask me about any woman in town, and I’ll tell you the truth; why would I lie about her?”
“Maybe because your wife is sitting right here,” Tate replied sarcastically.
“I’ve never denied my past to Rachel,” Cash snapped back.