Page 83 of Sutton's CEO

“We need to get back to our lives in the city, Knox,” Candice added with a tilt to her chin.

I looked from Knox to Candice and then back again. It was true that we did need to get back. I hadn’t said a word about it. The last thing that I wanted to do was rush her at a time when things were just becoming good with us.

“So, you won’t be staying?” Knox asked Sutton softly.

I felt panic rip through me. We hadn’t discussed this possibility, and I didn’t want to even consider that she might choose to remain in Otterville Falls.

Sutton looked at me and took my hand before turning back to Knox. “This isn’t my future, Knox. This is my past. I have stayed as long as I can, but if there aren’t any further leads, I am going to need to head back to where I belong.”

It irked me a little that Knox looked so flabbergasted. Did he honestly think she would give up her inheritance, our future together, and all the confidence that she had gained to come back here?

“Is she going with you?” He motioned to the Candice, who had made her way out to the lobby, and suddenly it made sense.

“Candice?” Sutton wrinkled her brow. “Of course she is coming with us. She has an amazing job and her family lives in the city. She’s only here to support me.”

Knox nodded. “I see. I can’t make you stay, but have you decided what you are going to do with the bar?”

Sutton and I had talked about this before Earl ran off. Her original idea had been for Alice and Reena to run the place. She was even going to deed it over to them, but now that they were gone, it didn’t make as much sense.

“I don’t know,” Sutton replied honestly. “I suppose we could just leave it closed. I spoke with Joe and he was willing to stay on and cook, but he doesn’t want the place.”

Knox leaned forward on his elbows. “I have an idea. It might be a horrible one, but it could also kill two birds with one stone.”

“So,you see, Martha, I need someone to run the bar. You would be doing me a huge favor.”

The older woman was shocked into silence. Her jaw open and her cheeks flushed with color, she looked positively ill.

“You don’t have to serve the alcohol if you don’t want to,” Sutton continued.

Knox and I struggled not to laugh. Who had ever heard of a bar that didn’t serve drinks? Only in Otterville Falls could something so illogical be suggested.

Martha swallowed. “Do you really think I could do that?”

Sutton beamed at the older woman. “You were the first person I thought of!”

Knox’s cough brought a scowl from Sutton, but she quickly suppressed it when she turned back to the elderly woman.

Martha reached out and took Sutton’s hand. I was proud of Sutton. She only flinched a little.

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Martha’s voice trembled. “I misjudged you, girl. I shouldn’t have done the things I did. I know why Earl left and you don’t owe me any kindness either.”

I could literally see Sutton’s heart melting. It was apparent that she still cared for these people even after everything that had happened. Or perhaps that was just Sutton. She wanted to see the best in people. She wanted to help and make people’s lives a little easier.

“Nonsense.” Sutton’s smile was tender. “You are one of my closest neighbors and we have shared many meals together. I want you to be okay, Martha.”

Sutton didn’t mention that during those meals Martha had often been shouting slanderous things. I was once again overwhelmed by the woman before me. I had once been terrified of getting into a relationship. The last thing I wanted was to end up like my parents.

I had decided that a life alone would be better than living in a home without love.

But that was before her. Sutton had taken every belief I thought I had about myself and turned them inside out. She was more loving and giving than any person ought to be, and it was one hundred percent natural to her.

I wanted that goodness in my life and in my home.

“I can stay and help her get things set up.”

We glanced up to see Candice standing in the doorway. I am not sure who was more surprised at her offer, but my bet was Knox.

The man looked like he had won the lottery and woke up to Christmas and his birthday all in one day.

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