Page 66 of Wood You Knot

I continued my quest, walking into the dining room and spotting Warren sitting at one of the tables by himself, reading the newspaper with his breakfast almost untouched in front of him. He was in another fancy business suit, his hair slicked back and that aura of pomposity still lingering.

I sat down across from him, and he looked up, his expression going from annoyed at the interruption, to shocked at my appearance in front of him, to furious it was me crashing his morning.

“Hello again, Warren.”

“What do you want? Other than more clothes, obviously,” Warren sneered, staring at the clothes I’d been wearing yesterday while he folded up the newspaper in his hands and set it down beside him.

My smile widened. I wasn’t about to tell him the only reason I was wearing the same clothes was because I’d spent the night at his ex-fiancée’s. I wasn’t there to goad the man.

“I just came by to make sure you were leaving today.” I shrugged. He leaned back in his seat, appraising me.

“My business in Hartwood Creek isn’t over yet, so no. I won’t be leaving today,” he jeered.

“If you’re referring to the business with Sage, I can assure you—that’s over.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” He smirked.

I lifted a brow. “She wants nothing to do with you and has no desire to hear you out, so you’re wasting your time there. She said as much yesterday, in front of the both of us. Frankly, your behaviour is concerning a lot of people who care about her.”

“My behaviour?” He smirked, shaking his head. “There’s nothing wrong with my behaviour. I have every right to talk to my fiancée—”

“Ex-fiancée,” I corrected, cutting him off. “Or did you forget the part where she dumped your ass and left you?”

His eyes flashed with anger. “She only left because I let her.”

“What a possessive, controlling thing to say.” I laughed darkly, shaking my head. I leaned forward, my eyes full of intent. “She left because she wanted to. You cheated, and she realized she could do a hell of a lot better than you. She’s moved on, and it’s time for you to do the same. Pack your shit and get out of my town. I won’t say it again.”

“Your town?” he snipped.

“Yeah, my town. I live here. You don’t. You’re just here to stir up shit because your ego’s bruised, and I’m here to tell you I’m not going to let you do that. Nor will anyone else in this town. Sage is one of us, and we protect our own.”

I don’t know if Warren registered the promise in my eyes and the sincerity in my voice, but the arrogant assurance he’d led with since showing up slipped away real quick.

He watched me wearily. “You’re with her, aren’t you?”

“Sure am, but even if I wasn’t, what you’re doing is wrong. When a lady tells you to back off, you back the hell off. You don’t keep pursuing, and you certainly don’t show up at her new town demanding she talks to you.”

Warren listened, nodding slowly as if considering my words. “I’ll admit, that wasn’t my best move. Her mother made it seem like there was a possibility she’d hear me out if I showed up in person.”

I shook my head, exhaling. “You thought you’d listen to the mother who barely knows what’s right for herself, over the woman who’s explicitly told you on more than one occasion it’s over and she’s done? She blocked your number. That should have been indication enough.”

He looked like I was forcing him to swallow shards of glass—but I guess the truth tasted like that to some.

“Fair point,” he managed. I kept my gaze on him, unyielding. He sighed. “Fine, I’ll leave town.”

Feeling like I’d gotten my point across, I stood and rapped my knuckles on the table. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your brief stay in Hartwood Creek,” I said, levelling a look at him.

* * *

Sage

Halfway through my workday on Monday, the door chimed, signalling the arrival of a customer. Uncle Ed was in the back office working on paperwork, leaving me to manage the cash register and help customers.

There hadn’t been many people in, so when I heard the door chime, I looked up with a smile, ready to greet whoever walked in.

I wasn’t expecting to see Warren—again. My smile immediately slipped. “What are you doing here?” I demanded.

Warren lifted his arms in surrender, approaching the counter as if he was dealing with a wild and potentially dangerous animal. “I mean no harm. I just came by to apologize before I head back to Guelph.” He stopped in front of the counter.

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