Page 10 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“It’s the ish part that bothers me.”
She let out a dry laugh. “Pete and I never truly loved each other, but Rosy brought us close. Her death sent Pete into a downward spiral that was compounded by my inability to get pregnant again.” The tears poured out of her eyes like a waterfall. “I didn’t want to start trying again so soon, but Pete was relentless. That’s when he started hitting me.”
Austin reined in his anger. He wondered what else might have happened and couldn’t allow his brain to go there. The guilt he felt was too strong. He’d let down the only woman he’d ever loved and he loathed himself for it.
“Every time I had to tell him I wasn’t pregnant, he’d slap me. It wasn’t bad at first.”
“Don’t make excuses for his bad behavior.”
“You know how this works.” She squeezed the pillow. “We were both in a bad place. I had been seeing a therapist but couldn’t get him to go. I tried giving him an ultimatum. Either he went or I was going to leave, and that’s when things took a really bad turn. I stopped going to counseling.”
“You stopped, or he decided for you?”
“I didn’t want to fight him or get hit, so I didn’t go anymore. I also avoided my family even more. It was a really dark time. Anyway, when we came here the last time, everyone was trying to get me to leave him. Every second someone had me alone, they’d start talking exit strategies. The pressure was insurmountable. But it was Irish who got in my face. Pete overheard us. He was livid. The fight between him and Irish was something I will never forget.”
“Irish told me about it,” Austin admitted. “He said that you left in the middle of the night, but he wasn’t sure if you went willingly or not and that you haven’t spoken to anyone since, except the one time you accidentally called me.”
“I did not want to go. Pete woke me up and told me that if I fought him on this, he’d make sure my family was ruined.”
“He’s tried to do that before. He’s never been successful.”
“Pete’s family has money. Lots of it.”
“I’m well aware.” That had always been a bone of contention with Austin. He’d listened to whispers around town about how Cinnamon had run off with Pete because he could give her more than a broken cowboy with a questionable past and not even twonickels to rub together. Deep down, he didn’t want to believe it, but some days it was hard.
“They have a lot of power in this state. Pete has done and said things to undermine my family business. If I stay away, he leaves them alone. When I contact anyone in my family, he stirs the pot. He’ll call anyone he can think of and send them out here.”
“We were pretty sure he was the one who caused all the trouble for Kitty and the educational facility two years ago.”
Cinnamon nodded. “Pete has cut me off from my family and my friends. I only want a few days to figure things out, and then I’m leaving. I can’t put my family at risk. Do you understand?”
“Yes and no.” Austin leaned back and stared at the fan. “I get you want to protect everyone, but they want to do the same for you. Besides, Pete can’t hurt them because they aren’t doing anything wrong. He can send all the inspectors and anyone else he wants. Everything at Whiskey Ranch is on the up-and-up and you know that. Running from this is only putting yourself at risk. You’re staying put. I won’t be the only one who feels that way. So let me call your cousins.”
“They don’t want to hear from me.” She sniffled. “My last words with Irish and JD weren’t pleasant. They told me I had to leave Pete.”
“I believe their words were to call them when you were ready.” He turned his head, arching a brow. “You forget that JD and I were once best friends and we’ve rekindled that friendship. I got the entire story when I moved back and Charity moved out. I doubt they left anything out and they did say they were harsh, something they’ve regretted. However, tough love is sometimes necessary.”
“Looks like you’ve returned to your logical self.” She curled up next to him, wrapping her arm around his middle and draping a leg over his knee. “The last time we were together, you acted like a moron.”
“I was angry and hurt.”
“So was I,” she said.
“It’s all in the past. All that matters now is making sure Pete doesn’t ever hurt you again.” He waved his phone. “I’m calling JW now.”
“Okay.” She sighed. “Pete’s not going to go away quietly.”
“I know. But you have an entire family who will be by your side. You’re not alone in this.”
“I’m sorry that I dumped my problems at your feet. I should have been brave enough to go to my family to begin with.”
“Don’t be silly.” He kissed her temple. “I watched my mother and sister go through what you’re living. It makes sense that you’d come to me first.”
She lifted her head. “Not with our history it doesn’t.”
Setting his cell on the mattress, he took her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “No matter what happened between us, I never stopped caring about you. I’m glad you felt you could come to me. You can stay here as long as you want or need to.”
“You’re a kind man, Austin.”
