Keeping What's His: Tate (Porter Brothers Trilogy Book 1) (4 page)

“No one hurts a Porter and gets away with it. No one.”

Chapter 5

Sutton picked up a package of drop cloths, moving to the cleaning aisle in the local hardware store, hoping she would see less people in this store than the local grocery store. She would wait to go at night when she was sure not many customers would be in the store. She knew it was useless to avoid the locals who knew her, but she wanted to dodge as many as possible. She wasn’t looking forward to answering any of the nosy questions she was sure would be asked of her.

Putting a gallon of bleach and a mop in her buggy, she went to the cash register where she recognized the woman ringing up purchases. Sutton ignored her curious gaze, handing her the cash for her supplies.

“Sutton Creech?” Cheryl asked in dismay.

“Hi, Cheryl.”

“Damn, I can’t believe my eyes. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Sutton was aware of the difference in her appearance. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. Overall, the years had been kind to her, although they had been better to Cheryl, who was still as attractive as she had been in high school.

“How long are you visiting?”

“I don’t know yet. I haven’t made up my mind.” Sutton picked up her bag, wanting to get out the door as fast as possible.

“Wait, you can’t just run off! We used to be best friends. Look, give me a minute, and we can go get a cup of coffee.”

“I’m kind of in a hurry. Maybe next time…” Sutton felt guilty after seeing the disappointment on Cheryl’s face. She remembered the many sleepovers they’d had in high school.

Sutton relented. Trying to avoid everyone was going to be a waste of time. Treepoint was too small. She would be better off just getting it over with and satisfying their curiosity. Then the town gossips could move on to someone else.

“Never mind. I’ll put my bag in my car and meet you outside.”

Cheryl’s face broke into a smile as she motioned for someone to take over the counter. Jared didn’t look happy as Cheryl explained they were going for a break. Sutton hadn’t liked Jared in high school, and she could see he hadn’t changed any since he and Cheryl had been together.

Sutton went outside, placing the bag in the trunk of her car. She was slamming it shut when she saw Cheryl came outside.

“You sure you have the time to go for a coffee? Jared didn’t look too happy.”

Cheryl made a comical face. “I quit worrying about what Jared thought when I found out he was cheating on me.” Cheryl placed her arm through hers as they walked down the sidewalk toward the diner. Sutton felt uncomfortable with the friendly gesture, so she sped up, forcing Cheryl to release her.

The restaurant was busy with the breakfast crowd when they entered, but few of the customers paid them any attention.

She and Cheryl managed to grab a small table for two in the corner and ordered coffee before the waitress could escape.

“I’m sorry to hear about Jared.” Sutton immediately directed the conversation toward Cheryl. If she was still like she was in high school, it would keep them occupied until it was time to return from her break.

Cheryl shrugged. “I went a little crazy when I found out. Our divorce was just final a few weeks ago. He had the nerve to fight it after I found out he was banging five different women in town. He had even put one up in her own apartment so he could visit her anytime he wanted.”

Sutton felt terrible for her friend. She knew how much Cheryl had idolized her jock boyfriend in high school.

“You warned me he was cheating on me before you left town, and I didn’t listen. I should have.”

Sutton’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “I didn’t take any of your advice, either, so we’re even.”

“Which one was the reason you left town? Tate or Cash?”

“Neither.” Sutton leaned back in her chair so the waitress could set their coffees down. “I left for college. Anything I had with Tate and Cash was over before I packed my suitcases.”

Cheryl gave a short laugh. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when you showed up at prom with Cash in that green dress. You two looked like you were made for each other.”

“Hardly. Cash and I never went out again after that night. He had moved on to another girl by Monday.”

“Well, he’s settled down now. He’s married to Rachel Porter.”

“I can’t imagine Cash settling down with one woman.”

“Believe it. Besides, how can he get away with cheating? Her brothers would kill him, and Rachel is just as good with a shotgun.”

“I’m happy for them,” Sutton said truthfully.

“Wish my marriage had turned out as well, but my divorce is working out much better. I quit working at the hardware store when I found out Jared was cheating on me. It was hard with him owning the store, but after the divorce, he offered me my job back. There aren’t a lot of jobs around, and he promised to keep our personal life out of it. So far, it’s worked out well. We’re getting along better than when we were married. We’ve even gone out a couple of times.”

Sutton narrowed her eyes at Cheryl’s expression. “Be careful you don’t fall down that rabbit hole twice, Alice.”

She waved away her concern. “I’m not as innocent as I was in high school. After I found out Jared was cheating, I had a little payback of my own.”

“Really?” Sutton couldn’t imagine Cheryl taking that route.

“Really. I almost joined a biker club, but I screwed up, and they tossed me out.”

“A biker club is in Treepoint?” The small town
had
changed since she left.

“Yep, and a pretty big one, too.”

From the look on Cheryl’s face, Sutton was sure she was more upset about losing the biker club than Jared.

“Have they been keeping the judge busy?”

“Nope. The Porters have, though. Greer was caught selling some of his weed to an undercover cop, and Tate went to court not too long ago for getting in a fight with Lyle Turner.”

Sutton kept her expression neutral. “What happened?”

“With Lyle or court?”

“Both.”

“Lyle towed Greer’s truck when he broke down on the road home. When Tate took him to pick it up at Lyle’s garage, he charged him twice the tow charge. It started an argument, but Lyle was drunk and swung first, so your father threw the case out.” Cheryl’s head tilted to the side. “Your dad didn’t tell you any of this?”

“He must have forgotten to mention it,” Sutton said evasively. She already knew much of what Cheryl had told her, since she read the
Daily Herald
online every day, but she figured, if Cheryl was gossiping about everyone else, she wasn’t questioning her. Of course, no sooner did the thought pop into her head than Cheryl turned the conversation in her direction.

“Enough about me and the town. What about you?” She nodded at her hand. “Who did you marry? How long have you been married?”

“I’m a widow.”

Cheryl paled, her hand reaching out to cover Sutton’s on the table. “I’m so sorry.”

Sutton moved her hand away, not wanting the gesture of sympathy. “Thank you. He died six years ago. I’m over the worst of it.” She told the partial truth. She would never recover from Scott’s death.

She reached for her purse. “You better get back to work. You’ve been gone for twenty minutes.”

“Dammit. I’ll catch you later. I’ll drop by your parent’s—”

“I’m not staying there. I’m staying at Pap’s cabin.”

“Why? No one’s been there for years.”

Sutton didn’t miss having to explain every detail of her life.

“I wanted some rest and relaxation while I’m visiting.” She stood, giving Cheryl a brief hug. “Get back to work. I’ll take care of the bill. I’ll see you before I leave.”

“You better. I’ve missed you. Bye, Sutton.”

“Bye, Cheryl.”

Sutton went to the cash register to pay the check, ignoring the glances she felt on her back as she headed to the door. She was about to push the door open when she saw a couple sitting at one of the tables.

Tate was sitting in the restaurant with a woman she didn’t recognize. She was very attractive, smiling at Tate, and a child, who looked about five or six, was seated at the table next to them. When Tate looked up, Sutton glanced away from his gaze, quickly going out the door.

The little boy had the Porter red hair. Did Tate have a child while she was gone, or was that Dustin’s son? He would be about the right age from what she remembered from the news article. The
Daily Herald
had written about Samantha Langley’s death and her missing child. Months later, another article had given an update of how a man named Knox had been cleared of her death and that her child had been found.

Sutton had always wondered what a child of Tate’s would look like. She now had her answer. The little boy inside the restaurant was the image of him. He had the same auburn hair and green eyes. Their facial features were similar, although where Tate’s features were harsh with an I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, the little boy was all boyish innocence.

Sutton dug her fingernails into the palm of her hands, battling back emotions she had thought were locked away. She forced them back, strengthening the emotionless void that was the only way she knew to survive.

She started to cross the street as she almost bumped into a couple who were about to enter the diner. They stared at her curiously, both of them taking only a second to recognize her.

“Sutton.”

“Hello, Cash … Rachel.”

Of the two, Cash Adams was the friendliest. Rachel’s smile had left her face, an angry glint entering her eyes.

“When did you get back in town?”

Rachel didn’t wait to hear the answer to her husband’s question, trying to ignore her as she headed inside the restaurant. Cash draped his arm around her shoulders, holding her in place.

Sutton licked her lips. This was far worse than she had anticipated it would be. Rachel wasn’t even trying to hide her hatred.

“A couple of days ago.” Sutton began to leave, not wanting Rachel to feel uncomfortable.

“Where are you staying?”

Sutton hesitated. Cash was the only one in town who knew she wouldn’t be stepping into her old home.

“I’ve been staying at the hotel, but I’m going to be staying at Pap’s house.”

Cash’s face became concerned. “That place has been empty for a long time. Be careful. Several of the men around town have been using it while you’ve been gone.”

“The house or the property?”

“The property.”

“If they stay away from the house, then it’ll be fine.”

“You have a gun?”

Sutton rolled her eyes. “What do you think?”

“Good. Keep it loaded. If you have any trouble, call Knox. He’s a friend of mine and the sheriff now. I’ll let him know you’re staying out there and to keep an eye on you.”

“Thanks, Cash.” Sutton didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on Rachel’s expression. The two were going to have a massive fight when she left.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I hope you both will be very happy.” Sutton glanced away, her voice choking with emotion. She had known Rachel hated her, but being faced with it was hard. At one time, she and Rachel had been extremely close.

“I better be going and let you two eat your breakfast. It was nice to see you both again.” Sutton moved away without giving them a chance to answer, stepping down off the sidewalk to cross the street toward her car. A horn blared as a hand reached out, grabbing her and tugging her back onto the sidewalk.

“That was close.” Sutton laughed shakily, her hand still in Rachel’s. She was shocked Rachel hadn’t pushed her farther into the car’s path.

A strange look crossed Rachel’s face as Sutton tried to pull her hand back. Rachel didn’t release it. Turning it over, she stared down at the palm of her hand then her wrist.

Sutton forcefully jerked her hand away, clenching her hand into a fist and dropping it to her side to hide the scars that were clearly visible.

“Bye.” Sutton tried to leave again, this time watching the traffic more carefully.

“Sutton … Why don’t you come to dinner this Saturday?”

She abruptly turned back to face Rachel, shocked. “I would like that.”

Rachel nodded. “Cash can text you directions to our home.”

“I’ll look forward to it, then. Thanks for saving my life just now.” Sutton waved her hand at the road.

Rachel’s gaze dropped to her hand. “I’m glad I was here to help.”

Sutton turned red as she stepped more cautiously into the road. She went to her car and slid inside, an uneasy feeling that Rachel had only invited her out of pity after seeing her hand and wrist foremost in her mind. It didn’t matter. Hers was one expression of sympathy she wouldn’t turn away from. Sutton would take anything she could get to have a chance to talk to her.

She turned her hand over on the steering wheel, staring down at the ugly scars marring them. Her nails had left permanent indentions into her palms, but it wasn’t the tiny circular scars that drew attention to themselves, it was the ones on her wrists. It didn’t a genius to realize they were the result of a failed suicide attempt.