“Was my date with Audra part of the pre-service or after-service discussion?”
There was a saying in Trinity Falls, “All roads lead to church.” It was the best place to hear the latest gossip about your neighbors.
Doreen sketched a smile. “Pre-service. You didn’t think anyone could have made it through the entire sermon without sharing the news, did you?”
“I guess not.” Jack drained his glass.
“That young woman has been a healing influence on you.”
“Yes, she has.” Thanks to Audra, he was almost human once more. Zoey was back in his life, at least her memory. And he gave a damn again.
“I’m going to be sorry to see her go.”
So will I. “She has a life in L.A.” If he repeated the words enough times, maybe he could accept them.
Doreen sipped her water. “And you have to continue rebuilding your life here.”
The conversation was getting away from him. Jack set his glass on the coaster on the table beside him. “Doreen, we’ve talked about Ean’s practice, the weather, and now my personal life. Why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind?”
Doreen tipped back her head and drained her glass of water. Not a good sign.
She squared her shoulders before meeting his gaze. “Representative Isaac Green is going to attend the Founders Day Celebration. Kerry’s probably coming with him.”
Jack grew cold from the inside out. His muscles knotted. A pounding began above his right temple. Shadows reached for him. Kerry Dunn Sansbury, now Kerry Dunn Green, his ex-wife who’d had an affair while he’d sat vigil beside their daughter’s deathbed.
“The hell you say.” His voice was a raspy whisper as the cold darkness threatened.
“I’m sorry, Jack.” Doreen’s gaze was steady but watchful.
Jack surged from his armchair and crossed the room. He wanted space. He wanted air. He needed Audra.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I didn’t know that Representative Green would be joining us. He only accepted our invitation last week.”
Not good enough. “You could have told me you’d invited him.”
“It’s the town’s one hundred and fiftieth birthday, Jack. Of course, local politicians are invited. But we want the founding family to be represented, too.”
“And I want to be left alone.” Too many raw emotions ripped through him—anger, betrayal, resentment—from injuries past and present.
“I’m sorry, Jack.”
“Really? Then tell Green and my bitch ex-wife to stay home.”
“I can’t do that.” Doreen’s tone was flat, revealing neither regret nor resolve.
“Can’t or won’t?” He paced the width of the living room, trying to evade the cold darkness.
“Both.” Doreen placed her empty glass on the coaster on the coffee table. “Representative Green will participate in the Founders Day Celebration. We’ve asked him to say a few words.”
Jack stilled. “You want me on the stage with the bastard who screwed my wife while I watched my daughter die?”
Doreen stood. Her hands lay flat on the skirt of her cream suit. “Jack, we’re not asking you to interact with him. But this is an opportunity for Trinity Falls to get the recognition we deserve from our state representatives. The attention could persuade them to direct industry our way. The town is coming out of the red, but this could help further secure our financial future.”
All Jack heard was the buzzing in his ears. All he saw was a wash of red and memories he wanted to forget. “You knew I wouldn’t come if Green was there.”
“Jack, I want you to be a part—”