Chapter 10
Kayden
The truth is sweeter than pie.
Thought I slept like shit in the slammer, but I haven’t gotten a wink of shuteye since I’ve been out.
I stayed staked out at the base of Wren’s mountain all day and night, waiting for that fiancé of hers to get home, but he never fucking showed.
Now, I’m spinning with questions. The first one being why the fuck he left her out in the woods all by herself.
It’s not safe out there. Though, my girl can clearly hold her own.
The way she was wielding that shotgun, I wouldn’t want to be the poor guy who tried to cross her. That’s for sure.
I walk into her diner and am greeted by an older lady. My girl is nowhere to be found. And I’d put money on the fact that I’m the reason she’s not manning the counter this morning.
“Well, good morning!” the woman drawls in her Southern accent as her eyes travel up my frame. “Haven’t see you around these parts. You just stopping through or stayin’ awhile?”
As flattered as I am, she’s just a tiny bit old for my taste.
Though my taste is very narrow, as in there’s only one girl who owns my heart, and man, does she have it locked up tight.
And after the way Wren kissed me back yesterday, she can’t fucking deny her feelings.
She can say whatever the fuck she wants, but I know it’s a boldface lie.
She kissed me like she used to, proving that this new man in her life will never replace what we have.
“I’m sticking around.” I smile, taking a seat at the counter, hoping this kind woman would like to butter me up with some answers. “Staying at the Inn but may be looking for something more permanent.”
“Well…” She places a mug in front of me then pours it to the rim with coffee.
“If you need a room to rent, I’ve got two extras.
” She puts the pot back on the warmer and leans against the counter, getting right up into my personal space.
“Wouldn’t mind having a strapping young lad like you around to help with things. ”
“That’s awfully kind of you, but I’m already taken in that way. I…”
“Oh, honey,” she interrupts, waving me off.
“I’m not looking for a man to break my back on at my age.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t admire the view.
” She winks. “Have to say that’s a shame to hear you’re already strapped down, ‘cause my boss could use a man like you in her life.” She leans in closer, dropping her voice to a whisper as she scans the place for prying ears.
“The girl is pretty as can be but locked up tight if you know what I mean.”
Hold the phone. If I’m not mistaken, she’s got to be talking about Wren. Wren’s the one who owns this place, not unless there’s a manager lingering somewhere in the back.
“Who’s this uptight boss of yours?” I take a sip of my coffee, trying to make small talk so she doesn’t think I’m fishing for info.
“Her name’s Wren. Sweetest girl you’ll ever meet, but someone did her dirty.” She nods her head. “I can tell. I can spot a heartbreak from a mile away.”
This woman isn’t wrong. I didn’t just do Wren dirty, I hurt her so bad she thinks I’m evil incarnate.
I’ll never be able to erase the image of my girl’s face when I told her the truth.
In all the times I played that scene out in my head, I never played out the raw pain that burned in her eyes.
I imagined her shock, followed by a smile, or her slapping me across the face before she burst into tears and fell into my arms. I never imagined the fury that grew out of the ash of her misery.
It hit me in the chest with fear, terrified me that she may never forgive me for what I did.
“Isn’t that the woman who owns this place?
” I ask, taking another sip of my coffee and trying to swallow back the unbearable truth.
“Saw the ring on her finger yesterday. Didn’t look too heartbroken to me.
” I’m hoping this woman’s loose lips will keep talking.
The more I can get from her, the better.
“Ring on her finger?” Her brow cocks up.
“That’s news to me. There’s a rich guy who’s been sniffing around these parts for a while, but she’s yet to take him up on his offer.
But engaged?” She shakes her head. “Not unless there’s some mystery man she’s been dating online because I’ve been with that girl day in and day out for years and she has never mentioned a thing about anyone. ”
Really? Well, isn’t that interesting. “So then where she’d get the big diamond from?” I know I didn’t imagine the bling on her finger.
“Don’t have a clue.” She shakes her head, then suddenly stops. “Is it round and surrounded by a ton of little diamonds and looks antique?”
“Yep.” I nod. “Hard to miss the size of the thing.” I smirk, hoping she’s not going to start questioning my attention to detail.
“That’s her granny’s ring. Gave it to Wren before she passed. I’m guessing the poor girl was missing her grandmother and that’s why she had it on.”
Well, well. When they say the truth shall prevail, they aren’t fucking kidding.
My girl lied. She doesn’t have a man in her life; she has an endearing soul and happened to be wearing a precious family heirloom.
That explains why no one showed up at her place last night.
But that happy realization doesn’t quite sit well.
That means Wren lives up on that mountain all by her lonesome.
There wasn’t another trailer or home as far I could see.
“So…” She leans on the counter, giving me a look. “What’s your story, and how come you chose to pull into this little town? Not that we aren’t more than happy you decided to grace us with your handsome face, but we don’t often get newcomers around here.”
I smirk. People in small towns love to gossip, mainly because they don’t have much else to do with their time.
I’m sure anything I tell her will be spread throughout the entire town by the lunch rush.
Which—may actually work in my favor. “I came here for Wren.” I smile.
“We go way back.” Her eyes shoot up to her silver hairline, and I’m getting the impression my girl never mentioned me.
“Any chance she’s in the back? I’d love to speak with her. ”
She shakes her head; the shock still etched around her eyes. “No. She called out sick today. Said she woke with a fever.” Her head cocks to the side. “Any chance you’d have something to do with that?”
I’m guessing that’s a yes. But if Wren thinks she can hide from me, she’s wrong.
“I didn’t catch your name.” I hold out my hand, ignoring her question. There’s only so much I want to spread around town.
“I’m Fran.” She shakes my hand. “And I can tell you’re trouble. But…” She leans in close. “I think trouble is exactly what that girl needs.”
Damn straight it is. And that girl is in some serious trouble for letting me believe there was another man in the picture. At least now I know there’s no one else standing in my way. Not that it mattered. Never thought of myself as one to break up a happy home, but Wren is mine. End of story.
“I’m Kayden,” I tell her. “It’s been very nice to meet you, Fran. Now, I’m going to go take some chicken soup out to my girl. Mind if I get that coffee to go?”
She smirks, reaching for a paper cup. “You may want to take a couple of turnovers and a muffin, too. Your girl has a sweet tooth and may be a lot more receptive if you sugar her up first.”
Oh, I definitely plan on sugaring her up. I’m just going to feed her a different kind of sweetness.