“That’s good to hear. Mrs. Sandler keeps me on my toes with her phenomenal drink menu, so she’s the one to beat.”
“You’re both amazing.”
The other woman grinned. “You’re too kind. I hope you have a great day.”
“You too.”
She stepped out of the café and crossed the deck toward her office. She was actually in a great mood today, and it had everything to do with yesterday. Not only had Jake been good company, but he’d made her laugh and smile more times than she could count. It was probably the most she’d smiled since arriving in Misty Peak.
She didn’t feel anything for him more than friendship, something she’d tried to make clear yesterday in the way she’d brushed off any touches and kept everything affable, but even having another friend improved her outlook.
And not only that, but the windows supplier Kayden had scheduled arrived this morning, and a flooring guy to get rid of the damp boards below the windows. When she got home, she should finally have a sealed home.
In the office, Pixie sat behind the desk, talking on the phone. She gave Tilly a small smile as she passed. She stepped into her office only to stop at the sight of Kayden with his back to her near the cabinet, phone to his ear. She was about to step back out when he spoke.
“Tilly? I haven’t seen her yet. Why?”
She saw his knuckles whiten around his phone as he listened to whatever the other person said.
“If you think Tilly might be responsible for the break-in, you should question her. I don’t know her well enough to say she wouldn’t.”
The blood left her face. There’d been a break-in? And Kayden was telling whoever he was speaking to—more than likely his sheriff brother—to question her.
Kayden turned and their gazes collided.
Hurt swamped her. So few people in this town had been kind to her, but she’d thought Kayden at least trusted her.
He didn’t. Maybe he never would. Maybe no local ever would, and she was just fooling herself by returning here.
She was moving before she could stop herself, turning and walking—basically running—out the back door and onto the deck. Her feet aimed for the mountains of their own accord, knowing that was where she’d find peace. Some calm in this moment to take away the anger and frustration that had been sitting inside her since returning to this town.
She’d come here to do what her mother hadn’t been able to…return home. Show the community who she was and prove to them she was different than her father, even though she didn’t feel like she should have to prove anything.
But it was never going to happen, was it? She’d always just be Martin Taylor’s daughter. The daughter of a thief.
She scrubbed a tear from her face, hating that she was crying. She didn’t want to cry, she wanted to be angry. She wanted to let the fury block out the pain and hurt and the voice in her head that told her this washerfault. Her fault for thinking people could be better. That her father’s sins didn’t have to dictate her life here.
Footsteps sounded behind her, propelling her forward. She didn’t know if it was Kayden or someone else. It didn’t matter. She didn’t want to seeanyone. She just wanted to get lost in these mountains and forget. Forget what her father had done. Forget that five years ago, he’d taken more from her than anyone could ever imagine. He’d taken her home. Her safe place.
“Tilly.” Kayden’s voice made the rage ripple in her chest, and she forced herself to move faster. “Stop!”
She didn’t. She couldn’t.
A curse sounded behind her, then strong fingers wrapped around her upper arm. “Matilda—”
She spun on him. “It’s Tilly! For the last goddamn time, it’s Tilly!Do notcall me Matilda. I don’t like the name Matilda, and I don’t want you to use it.”
Kayden’s frown was deep as he took her in. “I’m sorry.”
“If you were sorry, you’d stop using it.”
“No. I’m sorry that what I said to my brother hurt you.”
So hehadbeen talking to Eastern, the Sheriff of Misty Peak.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.Do not cry in front of him, Tilly. “That’s the thing, I’m not sure youaresorry, Kayden. I think you want to be better than all the closed-minded people in this town, but at the same time, you genuinely believe I could rob someone, just like my father.”
His jaw visibly clenched, and it was all the confirmation she needed.
