Page 9 of Wood You Knot

“I can’t really picture it, you working in a hardware store.” Nellie chuckled.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I deadpanned, trying to ignore the nervous swirling in my gut. I was anxious, but I knew my uncle would show me the ropes. I’d be more self-conscious if I didn’t know my boss.

But I’d always had fun with Uncle Ed. He was the closest thing to a father figure I had. Growing up, my mother had dated a lot of men and even married a few of them, but none of them were worthy of the title “stepdad.” Not even her most recent husband, who we’d seen very little of during our forced stay with her.

“I’m sure you’ll do great; you’re a fast learner. Plus, it’s not like you’re starting over in a totally new-to-you place. You know people in Hartwood Creek.”

“Yeah…” I replied, my traitorous thoughts straying to a certain Hutchinson brother.

“Well, one thing’s for sure. It’s not the same here without you.” Nellie sighed. “It’s boring. And guess who walked in the other day for a coffee?”

“Ugh. Let me guess…Warren.”

“Yup, and she was with him. I tell you, Sage, I was this close to putting something disgusting in their cups. I would have, too…if Sal weren’t peering over my shoulder.”

It stung a little to know how quickly Warren had moved on with the woman he cheated on me with. After I caught him red-handed, he tried to convince me to stay for all of five minutes. He must have realized my mind was set, and nothing could change it. Then he made it my fault. I’d been too distracted, too focused on my daughter and myself, too focused on my one friend and my silly minimum wage job—on everything that wasn’t Warren.

I had no insight into how selfish he was until I caught him in his web of lies, and the good-guy mask fell to the ground, shattering the illusion.

“I wish I could say I’m over it, but I’m still mad as all hell.” I sighed, wishing that wasn’t the case. Anger and bitterness would get me nowhere, but I was just so angry that Warren had made me believe he was someone he wasn’t. Though I was mostly angry at myself for not seeing through the guise.

“I don’t blame you. You were going to marry that guy,” Nellie exclaimed.

“Don’t remind me,” I groaned, massaging my temple. Marrying him had felt like the next step at the time, and I thought he’d wanted it too. And maybe he did. Maybe Warren just wanted to have his cake and eat it too.Be married to me with his side piece.

“Honestly? I never liked the guy. He was too pretentious and boring,” Nellie insisted. I smiled, although she couldn’t see it. Nellie had always been honest about her feelings for Warren. She hadn’t understood the appeal. “He was so not your type.”

I think I’d been drawn to Warren in his crisp suits because he looked the part of a responsible man. In high school and in college, I’d gone for the jock types and had been repeatedly disappointed by their lack of maturity and loyalty.

Turns out men in suits were just as disloyal as men in sports jerseys.

“Well, it’s time to leave him in the past, where he belongs.” I sighed, pausing to take another sip of wine.

“Hear, hear,” Nellie cheered. “I can’t wait to come visit. Not going to lie, I googled the town. It looks adorable. I could use a vacation!”

“It really is, and there really is so much to do here.” I smiled, my excitement rising. I loved visiting when I was a kid, and I used to daydream about moving in permanently with my aunt and uncle. At least that way, I’d get to be a part of a functioning family.

Raising Daphne in this town was going to be amazing; I could feel it in my bones. I just had to get her more excited about it. Hopefully, the playdate at Parker Hutchinson’s tomorrow would do the trick.

* * *

“I don’t want to go,” Daphne pouted from the back seat. I peeked at her in the rear-view mirror, catching her with her arms crossed and a worried crease in her brow.

My sweet child needed routine and familiarity, and I’d seriously shaken that up by moving us four hours away. But I knew in my heart this change was exactly what we needed. I’d always felt the most support from my aunt and her family, and I loved the small town they resided in.

We just had to get used to the changes, that was all.

“Daph, it’s going to be fun. I promise,” I assured her. “And then you’ll have two new friends when you start on Monday.”

“What if they don’t like me?”

“Impossible,” I told her. “You’re the most likeable kid I’ve ever met.”

“You have to say that; you’re my mom,” Daphne retorted, unconvinced.

Parker’s address came into view. He lived in one of the older subdivisions, in a beautiful blue Victorian-style home. There was a detached garage that somehow looked brand new while built to match with Gothic influences. It had a pitched roof and intricately designed woodwork.

There was a minivan and two trucks parked in the driveway—the black truck from yesterday and a white one that said Hutchinson’s Lumber & Construction. I pulled in and parked behind the Hutchinson’s Lumber & Construction truck.

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