Page 27 of The Scars We Heal

“Hmm, I see. Now, you know, Phyllis and Janet were saying you were living with that Flynn boy.” Bethany huffed. “Said something happened between you and your husband, but I told them that can’t be true. Not our sweet Caitlin.”

My eyes squinted, brows furrowing. “Actually, Phyllis and Janet were telling the truth, or at least partially. Adam and I did get a divorce, and I’m living in Jake’s guest house with Whitley.”

By the way Bethany gasped, you’d have thought I told her I was performing demonic rituals in my basement and not just living in someone’s guest house. Once she’d gathered a little bit of her composure, she clicked her tongue, the tsk sound grating on my ears. “That boy is trouble, young lady.”

I shrugged, silently pleading for this conversation to wrap up soon. “He was kind enough to offer me a place to stay since my mom doesn’t have space and Colter and Ellison are about to have a baby.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh! Do they know if they’re having a boy or a girl yet?”

I shook my head. “They’ve decided to keep the gender a secret.” Even if I did know, it wasn’t my place to tell anyone.

Bethany pouted, obviously unhappy with my response. “Well, back to what I was saying, then. Why on Earth are you staying with that boy?”

Arguing with her would lead nowhere, so I gently explained, “If he hadn’t offered, I wouldn’t have a place to live right now, so I can’t complain about my situation.”

She still shook her head in disbelief, her next words completely ignoring what I’d said. “I heard from Edith and Charles that he’s been in cahoots with his father. You know his father went to prison for dealing drugs a few years ago, right? That family brings trouble wherever they go.” Bethany took my hand in hers, grasping it as tightly as she could, false worry in her voice. “You’ll stay away from that boy if you know what’s good for you. He’s nothing but a disappointment.”

Annoyance prickled at my skin, but I bit my tongue. “I appreciate your concern. I’d better be going. I still need to get this paint mixed”—I held up the swatch—“but it was lovely seeing you.”

“Think about what I said, Caitlin. You know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

God, that woman was still spewing her bullshit about Jake, even as I was leaving. Perhaps her last comment was a dig at me, too. Considering my parents got divorced shortly after I got engaged and my marriage had a similar fate.

I shook my head as subtly as I could, trying to wrap my mind around why everyone latched onto Jake’s past. I loved my small town, I really did, but the people who lived here could be cruel. A bunch of vultures and vipers ready to strike at any given time. I attributed it to the population being older and lacking filters, but that didn’t excuse the kind of things they were saying about Jake, a man who took all their criticism and gossip on the nose.

Rudy liked him, so that had to say something, considering the old man was practically royalty in this town. Everyone adored the bar owner, and rightfully so.

As annoyed as I was, I wouldn’t tell Jake about the conversation I had today with Bethany. Some things were better kept a secret. I’d just continue to defend him.

Once I’d completed all my errands in town and picked up Whitley, I took us back home. Deciding to paint later, I set the buckets in the entryway underneath one of the benches. I’d have to move them later, but since they were still sealed, I was confident Whitley wouldn’t be able to pry them open and make a mess.

I’d turned on Bluey for Whit and was in the middle of organizing the kitchen when knuckles rapped against the front door. I could just barely make out a tall, male figure through the window, but I already knew it was Jake by the way the man shifted back and forth on his feet, hands in his pockets. I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel then rushed to the door, pulling it open with a grin on my face.

Unable to hold in my excitement and offer a normal greeting, I blurted, “I bought paint today!”

Jake raised his brows, his eyes widening, before letting out a small chuckle. “I’ve never seen someone so excited about paint before.”

I rolled my eyes, stepping aside to let him in. “Well, it’s part of one of the items on the bucket list. Decorating the house.” Backtracking, I added, “I mean, if painting is okay with you.”

“Of course. You have permission to do whatever you want to the house, remember?” Ruffling a hand through his hair, he joked, “Just don’t burn it down or do anything illegal. That’s all I ask.”

“Shoot, I really wanted to start up a drug lab in my bedroom,” I teased before giving him a sheepish look, remembering it might be a sore subject for him given his childhood. “I just wanted to make sure. You’re the owner, after all.”

He shook his head. “I’m not worried, Cait. I’m sure whatever you have planned for the house will be better than anything I could do. Besides, I’m sure you already know I had to have Isabelle help me with decorating as it is.”

I laughed, my eyes bouncing to the floor. “I kind of assumed. Not that I doubt your style or taste in decor, but I expected the place to look more like a bachelor pad, if I’m being honest.”

“Nah, that’s what I have the main house for.”

“What, so you’re telling me you’ve got mounted fish and dead animal heads all over your walls?”

“More like cowboy hats, jerseys, and autographed baseballs,” he retorted, amusement shining in his eyes.

“Ah.” I nodded. “So, who has more cowboy hats? You or Colter? I’ve seen their living room.”

Jake didn’t even have to think about his response, answering without hesitation. “Definitely Colter. But if the competition was for baseball caps, I think I’d have him beat.”

“That’s impressive.” I jutted out my lip and nodded.