Page 7 of Crossroads of Innocence
Wade squinted, letting his gaze stay on her face a little too long, then made a beeline for the fridge. “If you’re not hungry, how ’bout a beer?”
“Sure.” She shoved her water to the side then took the offered brown bottle. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she’d take anything that might calm her anxiety. Doubts crept into her mind as she took a long sip. Maybe coming here was a mistake. Wade couldn’t help her, and she had no right to ask him to.
So why had his name run like a mantra of salvation through her mind her entire way to Pine Valley?
Okay, so that was a thought she didn’t want to examine too thoroughly.
“Does your family know you’re here?” Wade asked, settling back in the chair.
Her throat tightened around the bitter ale she’d swallowed, making it burn all the way down. Or maybe it was mention of the family she’d given up everything to escape that made her blood heat. Not wanting to venture into that territory, she shook her head.
A cloud darkened his face, as if he didn’t approve of not reaching out to her family. A familiar resentment tightened her grip on the cool bottle. She was used to everyone in town looking at her cookie-cutter family with admiration and respect. Two words that should never be associated with the man who raised her.
Her father was heartless and made her life hell in more ways than anyone would ever understand. Never believe. Jenson Metcalf’s mission in life was to make people see only who he wanted them to see. A manipulative skill that not only created a carefully cultivated image but raised his position in the community to such heights, no one would dare speak poorly of the man who’d been elected as the mayor a record number of times.
If only others could see the devil behind the ever-present smile and disarming charm.
Another knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts. “Sounds like your girlfriend’s back.” The words came out tight, forced, and on a high note that didn’t ring familiar to her own ears.
Tilting his head to the side, Wade gave her a hard look that made her squirm before he jumped up to answer the door.
Dammit. She squeezed her eyes shut for a beat. What was wrong with her? She’d run back to the man she’d wronged and now was throwing snide comments at him after he’d agreed to help her out of an impossible situation. She needed to get a grip and focus on fixing her problem. Then she could leave town, and this time, nothing would ever bring her back.
“Jude?”
The gruff voice turned her around and there was no fighting against the simultaneous smile and tears that took over her face. Raising, she darted across the room and threw her arms around Chet’s middle. “Chet! It’s so good to see you.”
He stiffened for a second before engulfing her in a hug. “You, too. It’s been way too long.”
Something loosened inside her. When she’d fled Pine Valley, she’d been so focused on what she was escaping that she’d overlooked everything she’d miss about her hometown. Years had come and gone, and she’d never found the same type of friendships she’d left behind.
Wade cleared his throat, and he couldn’t hide his irritation behind the scowl before he dipped his chin and headed to the kitchen. “Let’s sit for this. Chet, I’ll grab you a beer. You’re gonna need one.”
She dropped her arms, wishing she could have thrown them around Wade the same way she had Chet. But bridging the gap between them would be her biggest mistake of all. She needed to keep her walls high, or she’d never be able to leave town again.
Because no matter how much her heart raced at the sight of Wade, she still couldn’t make her home in Pine Valley. Couldn’t face the man who’d made her life a living hell for far too long.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Chet said, leading the way to the small table.
She explained everything all over again as Wade handed him a beer then leaned against the counter with his own drink. Both men kept their expressions hard, their attention fixed squarely on her. She fought not to glance at Wade as she spoke, choosing instead to keep her eyes on Chet’s bushy beard and clean side part of his finger-length brown hair. He was so different than the tall, gangly teenager she’d last seen. But the sweet and considerate boy she’d once known was clearly still a part of him.
After she’d spilled her guts—again—she took a long pull of her beer.
“Well?” Wade asked. “What do you think? I told her we should call the police here in Pine Valley, someone we trust, to try and figure all this shit out.”
Chet frowned. “Agreed.”
Her chest tightened. She wanted to argue, to suggest an alternative they’d all agree was brilliant, but nothing came to mind. “Fine. One police officer. Someone you both know and trust.”
Wade quirked up a brow. “Really? Just like that? I expected more of a fight.”
“I don’t have much fight left in me,” she said with a shrug. “Besides, I came home for a reason. What’s the point of asking for help if I don’t take what you can offer?”
Leaning back in his chair, Chet scratched his jaw. “Who do you think? Cruz?”
Wade nodded.
“Cruz?” she asked, the name unfamiliar.
