Page 60 of Branded Betrayal

“Mindy,” I hiss, waving my hand at the Bake-Off contestants. “There are kids around.”

Music fills the air, but it does nothing to muffle the rush of blood pounding between my ears. That asshole. He practically devours me in his family’s barn and then walks past me like he doesn’t even recognize me.

I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to stomp over to Blaze and smack that smug-ass look off his face when Ms. Eloise rushes over. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m really happy you called to invite me. I can’t wait to see what the kids have prepared,” I say.

Ms. Eloise gives me a conspiratorial look. “Oh, and Dr. Burgess is judging too!”

I bite back a laugh. Ms. Eloise is one cunning lady. I guess the whole town is pulling for Tyvannah. Except one person. “Good thing we were both free.”

Mindy leans in close when Ms. Eloise turns away. “You get a second chance! Can’t wait to hear how it goes with Dr. Burgess,” she whispers before running off.

I walk over to the judges’ table.

“Hey, Savannah.” Tyler greets me with a wide smile. He pops out of his chair and pulls mine out for me. “It’s great to see you.”

“Likewise.” I flash him a smile wide enough that anyone looking could see.

The kids run around, doing finishing touches on their culinary creations before time runs out. The big clock says there are sixty seconds left. Their aprons are stained with chocolate, jam, and powdered sugar, but they laugh and talk excitedly as the clock counts down.

“Okay, chefs, ten seconds to go. Nine, eight, seven . . .”

Tyler starts counting down along with the announcer. I join in.

“Four, three, two, one. Time!”

The next twenty minutes go by in a blur of sugary sweetness. We taste everything from cherry-chocolate-fudge cake, Funfetti cheesecake, deconstructed caramel-apple nachos, volcano cake, and cookie-dough pizza.

“Lyra Hayes! You are our new Whiskey Creek kids’ baking champion,” the announcer says once we’ve finished voting.

“Oh my God.” I moan, sitting back in the plastic chair and holding a hand over my stomach. “I’m about to pop like a tick.”

Tyler laughs. “I’m glad I didn’t have time to grab lunch before heading over here.”

“Ugh, don’t talk about food.” I look around for Nash. “I think I might need my brother to roll me out of here.”

“Or, you know, I could.” His eyes widen. “Um, not roll you out, of course. But take you home?”

“I’d love to, but things between my brother and me were really tense when I first got back. And they’ve been really good lately. I’d hate to leave him when I dragged him here in the first place. I hope you understand.”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to come between you guys. And I’m glad you’re working things out. More reason for you to stay here in Whiskey Creek,” he says with a wink.

“The reasons just keep piling up,” I say with a giggle as he waves goodbye.

I watch him walk to his truck, then wander over to the rose garden across the square. Mom and I used to sit in the garden for hours, sipping iced tea and talking about anything and everything.

Except Blaze. He was my only secret, the only thing she never knew about me.

My nose tingles, eyes stinging with unshed tears as I dip my head toward the blooms.

“I miss you so much, Mom,” I whisper.

I settle onto the bench, my eyes focused on the rainbow of roses surrounding me. The sweet floral scent fills the air, but it doesn’t comfort me the way I thought it might.

It just makes me feel sad and so very alone.

I bite down on my lower lip, my throat tightening.