“You lied to me.”
Doreen looked stricken. “I wanted what was best for the town.”
“You lied to me.”
Doreen held out her hands. “I didn’t know Representative Green would attend. I didn’t know you’d agree to participate. You’ve been so reclusive for so long.”
“You thought only one of us would come?”
“That was a distinct possibility.”
“Then choose.”
“What?”
“Green or me. Choose.”
Doreen stiffened. “Jack, I can’t make a choice like that.” She continued when he didn’t respond. “The town wants both of you at the event for different reasons. You represent the town’s founders, and he’s our state representative.”
“Choose.”
“I can’t. We all want you both to be there.”
“Fine. I’ll choose.” He crossed his living room and pulled his front door open. “Keep Green.”
Doreen gasped. “Jack—”
“Good-bye, Doreen.”
She hesitated before crossing to the door. She stopped beside him. It was clear she wanted to say more. Jack didn’t want to hear another word. She finally continued through the door. Jack closed it behind her.
He’d been a fool. He should have known the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee would have invited every elected local, state, and federal representative Trinity Falls had. Because of his relationship with the town, Green would have topped the list. The little shit.
Jack paced away from the door to glower before the empty fireplace. What made him think he was ready to rejoin the community and have a normal life? Audra. Her warm light kept his demons at bay. How was he going to control them without her?
When Audra stood at Jack’s cabin door later that afternoon, it took only one look at him for her to know something was wrong. His lips were tight. His eyes were cold.
“What’s happened?”
“Nothing.” He stepped aside so she could enter.
That’s a good sign, isn’t it? Audra wondered.
“I can tell something’s wrong, Jack.” She locked his door.
His back muscles were stiff beneath his sage green T-shirt. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Audra followed him into his kitchen. “You might as well. We can’t ignore it when it’s hovering between us like a great big bulk.”
Jack stopped behind the kitchen island. He was making cold cut sandwiches. A bowl of salad stood at the other end of the counter. Audra turned to one of the cupboards and freed two salad dishes.
“Tell me what happened.” She returned to the island to serve the salad.
Jack smeared mustard on a slice of toast. “Doreen stopped by this morning. She said Kerry was coming to the Founders Day Celebration.”
Audra tensed. Now she understood Jack’s mood. “She’s coming back to Trinity Falls? Why?”
“The celebration committee invited her husband to make a speech during the event.” His voice was tight. He laid the toast on top of the cold cuts, then cut the sandwich in half.