Keeping What's His: Tate (Porter Brothers Trilogy 1)

Hearing a noise, she looked over her shoulder to see Rachel carrying a glass and Cash following behind his wife.

“Sutton, I’m glad you came.”

Sutton stared at Rachel, seeing she was telling the truth. Her warm greeting dispelled some of her nervousness.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the drink from Rachel.

Rachel sat down on the chair in front of the couch, and Cash sat down on the arm of the chair, his arm across the back. The closeness between the couple twisted a knife in her heart.

Taking a drink of her tea, she listened as Rachel thanked her again for the donation she was making to the church store.

“It’s really not a big deal.” Sutton shrugged. “I’m sure a lot of it would be better off in the trash, but I thought it would be easier for you to do than me.”

“I’m sure we’ll manage to use most of it,” Rachel assured her.

“I hope so. Pap loved Treepoint, so I’d like to know a little of him is spread around town.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Most of our donated items do get taken. The only items we’re finding it hard to get rid of are the ones Mag—Cash’s grandmother—donated to make room for the new stuff she buys.”

Cash snorted. “There’s nothing new about that junk she buys at those yard sales she’s addicted to.”

“I’m afraid he’s right. She donated a stuffed owl last month, and I swear it’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. We had to put it out back. The kids are all afraid of it.”

Sutton relaxed back against the couch. “I don’t have anything that bad to donate.”

“Good. That thing gives me the willies every time I go to the storage room.”

“Why don’t you just throw it away?”

“I’m too afraid Mag will ask what happened to it.”

Sutton understood. She remembered Cash’s grandmother well. The woman was terrifying, a cantankerous woman who made everyone dread running into her. She could cut you to the quick with her remarks. She wasn’t the sweet, grandmotherly type; she was an outspoken woman who made no attempt to filter what came out of her mouth, whether or not the recipient wanted to hear her opinion.

“How is your grandmother doing?”

“Mean as ever, but she’s playing nice right now.” Cash’s eyes twinkled. “I’ve threatened to not let her great-grandchild around her if she doesn’t behave.”

“You’re pregnant?” Sutton asked, glancing back and forth between the two.

Rachel nodded, taking Cash’s hand in hers. “We just found out a couple of weeks ago.”

“Congratulations,” she said sincerely. At one time, hearing of someone’s pregnancy would have wounded her. Now all Sutton felt was happiness that the couple was going to experience one of life’s greatest joys.

“Thank you.” Rachel stood up, releasing Cash’s hand. “Let’s eat before dinner gets cold.”

They moved to the dining room where Sutton sat down in a chair at the table Rachel had obviously taken pains to set.

When she had first started dating Tate, Rachel had been self-conscious about the difference between their two families. Sutton’s family was one of the wealthiest in Treepoint, whereas Rachel’s was one of the poorest. Sutton had made the mistake of inviting Rachel and her brothers to dinner at her home one time, and her mother and father had looked down on them.

“It looks beautiful,” Sutton complimented, appreciating the fresh flowers sitting on the middle of the table.

“Thank you. I’ll just be a minute.”

“Do you need any help?” Sutton started to rise from her chair.

“I have it under control. Stay and keep Cash company.”

Sutton sank back down into her chair as Rachel left to go into the kitchen. She didn’t try to break the strained silence that followed.

“You’re looking good, Sutton.”

“Thank you.” She began playing with her fork. “You do, too. Marriage agrees with you.”

“I’ve never been happier in my life.”

“It shows.”

“You?”

Sutton gazed directly back into his eyes. “I’m in a good place.”

“That’s good to hear. How long are you staying in town?”

“I haven’t decided.” Sutton shrugged. “Not long. I want to finish cleaning out Pap’s house and then decide if I want to sell or not.”

“Houses in Treepoint aren’t exactly selling right now, and some people in town won’t want to buy what they’re already getting for free,” Cash hinted. “Some could even get angry.”

“I didn’t care about being popular, even in high school.” Her eyes darkened with memories as she remembered the cruel gossip that her so-called friends had participated in after her breakup with Tate.

“You could always set the record straight.”

“Why would I do that? It didn’t matter then, and it doesn’t now,” Sutton stated matter-of-factly.

“Don’t sit there and fucking lie to me about the gossip not hurting you. I tried to tell everyone I didn’t touch you, but with my reputation, no one would believe me. You didn’t even try to defend yourself.”

“What would have been the point? They wouldn’t have believed me either, not after Tate saw us together that morning.”