Cooper bit back an expletive. “He was probably too drunk to remember anything. But it was Sean. I know it was.”

  Gavin’s scowl deepened. “That dirty dog. How low can you sink to win an election?”

  “If he’s low enough to pay off a drunk, he’s low enough to bribe a pregnant woman to lie about the baby’s father.”

  “And low enough to post a damaging picture to his opponent’s social media page. He’s been behind all of this.”

  Cooper grinded his teeth. His muscles quivered. They would probably never know who took and posted that picture—the profile had been gone the next day. But Sean was somehow responsible for it and all the rest—he was sure of it. He marched back into the office and swiped his keys off his desk.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To confront him.”

  “That won’t get you anywhere.”

  “Well, it’ll sure make me feel better.”

  “When he denies everything?”

  “No, when I put my fist in his face.”

  Gavin blocked the doorway. “That isn’t going to win you an election.”

  “I’m not letting him get away with this. Now, move out of my way.” He shoved his brother.

  Gavin shoved back. “I’m not suggesting you do. But you gotta slow down and make a plan or you’ll end up as Dad’s cellmate.”

  Cooper got up in Gavin’s face. “He did a lot more than just hurt my reputation!”

  “You think I don’t know that? Huh? I’m collateral damage here, Coop, but we can’t go off half-cocked. Come on now, we have to think this through.”

  Cooper’s breaths came hard and his shoulders heaved. He was eye to eye with Gavin. Sean Curtis was guilty as sin, but he hadn’t broken any laws. And short of finding Megan, what evidence did he have? Even if his dad remembered later, no one would take the word of a drunk man—Cooper’s own father—over Sean. It was infuriating.

  But the look in his brother’s eyes calmed him. It said We’re in this together. I’ve got your back. And Cooper needed to know that more now than ever before.

  40

  Evening had settled over Riverbend Gap, bringing a sense of calm over the festivities. But Katie’s nerves still jangled as she stood near the back of the crowd gathered around the stage in the town square. In a few minutes Cooper would take the stage for the closing ceremony. Public speaking wasn’t his favorite thing, even though he always presented himself well.

  After running into him earlier, she’d hidden at home for the rest of the afternoon. Seeing him had been a punch in the heart. But she couldn’t resist seeing him again, if only from a distance.

  She crossed her arms against the cool fall breeze as Lisa took the stage. She looked every inch the organized planner with her smart dress and clipboard. Jeff and Avery, also dressed up for the event, met her on stage. They would stand behind Cooper tonight—literally.

  Katie peered over the crowd, seeking Gavin’s familiar face. It was go-time and he was nowhere to be seen. His absence would be conspicuous and would reflect badly on Cooper. Guilt compressed her chest.

  From the side stage Cooper mounted the platform, and all Katie’s thoughts turned to mush. Instead of his usual uniform, he wore a crisp gray suit. He was so handsome, that formfitting coat setting off his broad shoulders and trim waist.

  Cooper took his place at the back of the stage while his mom approached the podium and got the closing ceremonies underway. She thanked a host of people, including Katie, and brought a few key volunteers onto the stage—Beth Wallace among them. After they exited the stage Lisa introduced her son to a smattering of polite applause.

  As Cooper stepped up to the podium, Gavin mounted the stage. His gaze connected with his brother’s.

  She wished she were close enough to see their expressions. Surely Gavin wouldn’t rebuff his brother in front of everyone. It would reignite the rumors. It might even cost Cooper the election.

  But after a poignant pause Gavin gave Cooper a brief nod and joined his family.

  Maybe all wasn’t right between the brothers, but it would be eventually. Gavin’s appearance, his support for Cooper, spoke volumes.

  Cooper welcomed the crowd and thanked them for attending Trail Days. Katie’s stomach was in knots, but as he settled in behind the podium she began to relax. He didn’t read from a teleprompter or use a prepared speech. Instead he spoke from the heart on the importance of community. He talked about his love for the area and the people in it. The importance of maintaining law and order and his desire to keep Madison County a safe place to raise a family.

  “This is a relocation community,” he said. “People come to visit—they hike into Riverbend and love it so much they leave everything behind to come live here. I don’t blame them.

  “I’m not saying it’s all sunshine and rainbows here. We have our good and bad, our ups and downs. Maybe I’m a little partial because this has always been my home. But this community is like a family in that it embraces you with open arms. I know a little about that.”

  He gave his family a sidelong look. “Sometimes family isn’t the situation you’re born into but the people who’ve chosen to love you along the way.”

  The words caught like a burr on Katie’s heart, and as he wrapped up his speech, pride filled her chest. He was no politician. But he was authentic and sincere, and that rang through clearly tonight.

  She joined in as the crowd applauded, whistled, and cheered. Cooper’s family joined him at the podium and enveloped him in a group hug. Katie’s eyes stung as she watched the poignant moment from afar. She was so happy for Cooper. Happy for his whole family. Despite everything they’d been through, they would be all right.

  And win or lose, Cooper would be fine. He had a family who loved him. Gavin, too, would come through his heartache and move forward. His family would help him through. Avery, Jeff, Lisa—they had each other. And no one knew better than Katie what a priceless treasure that was.

  Her chest tightened with sorrow. She was once again alone. Once again on the outside looking in. That community Cooper talked about had accepted her . . . then rejected her, as had everyone she’d come to care about.

  She slipped away from the crowd, her vision blurring more with each step. As she walked away she thought of her birth mother—the reason Katie had come here to begin with. Since she’d made a public fool of herself, the woman made no effort to reach out to her. Meanwhile, it seemed Beth had been absorbed into the Robinson family.

  Once again her mother had soundly rejected her daughter. Once again Katie was not enough. The thought left her sucker punched. She hurried through the streets, barely seeing her surroundings. When she finally reached her house she was struggling to make her lungs function properly.

  She pushed the door closed behind her and gulped back tears that had gathered at the back of her throat. Sometime during the walk back she’d reached a decision. She withdrew her phone and found the contact she sought. It rang only twice before the greeting came.

  “Hi, Mama Jill. It’s Katie. I’m just calling to let you know—I’m coming home.”

  41

  Katie took the file before she entered the exam room, and Avery swept past, heading toward the front desk.

  “Avery?” Katie’s heart faltered as her boss turned with a placid smile. “I left something for you on your desk.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” Avery continued down the hall, her ponytail swaying with each step.

  Katie slipped into the patient’s room, spoke with her briefly, and took her vitals. The twentysomething woman appeared to have a respiratory infection, but the diagnosis was Avery’s call.

  When she finished screening the patient Katie hooked the stethoscope around her neck. “All right, Miss Greenwood. The doctor should be in shortly.”

  When Katie exited the room Avery was waiting outside the door. “Can I speak with you in the office, please?”

  “Of course.” Katie’s feet were heavy as she made the short walk. She gave Sharise a wan smile as she passed. The woman was a good nurse practitioner. She’d be a great asset for the clinic, a big help to Avery.

  Katie stepped into the office, nerves making her hands tremble. The only thing that gave her courage was the knowledge that she was doing the right thing. With her out of the way Cooper and Gavin’s relationship could heal completely.

  And maybe, if she wasn’t running into Cooper everywhere, she could finally get over him.

  Avery closed the door, giving Katie a hangdog look. “I owe you an apology.”

  “No, you don’t. That’s not what this is—”

  Avery held her hand up. “Let me finish. I’ve been a real jerk. Worse, I’ve been a terrible friend. You made a mistake—you acted on your feelings—and I’ve been treating you like you have a case of leprosy.”

  “No, you haven’t. I don’t blame you for being angry. I came between your brothers and made a mess of everything.”

  “Don’t make excuses for me. This was every bit as much Cooper’s fault, and I forgave him”—she gave a wry smile—“after I let him squirm awhile. You’re important to me, Katie, and you’re a good person. One mistake doesn’t define you.”

  A little place inside healed up as Avery’s words soaked in. “I appreciate you saying that. And I understand why you’ve been so upset. I dropped a bomb into the middle of your family, and I’m more sorry than I can say.”

  Avery wrapped her arms around Katie. “My family will be fine. And I forgive you.”

  Katie gave herself over to the embrace, tears prickling her eyes.

  A moment later Avery pulled away. “Now please say I can tear up that resignation letter on my desk and we can go out tonight and celebrate.”

  Katie wilted. She was grateful for her friend’s forgiveness, but she’d made up her mind: she had to move on.

  “Oh, Katie. Please stay.”

  “You’ll be fine. You have Sharise now, and you won’t have to worry about having to let her go.”

  “I’m not just talking about the clinic. I don’t want you to leave town. Even if I haven’t been treating you like it, you’re my best friend.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have to go—for my own well-being.” She felt sick at the thought of never seeing Cooper again. Of never again peering into his warm eyes. Of never again feeling his tender touch. Her vision blurred.

  A knowing smile turned up the corners of Avery’s lips. “You’re in love with him.”

  Despite Katie’s best efforts, a tear spilled over. The catch in her throat prevented her from responding.

  Avery drew her back into her arms, holding tight. “I’m sorry. What an impossible situation. I should’ve known how hard this was for you. And for what it’s worth—”

  Katie waited for her friend to finish the thought. When she didn’t Katie drew away. “What?”

  “I don’t know if I should finish that sentence. I don’t know if it’ll help or hurt, and I definitely don’t want to hurt you any more.”

  Katie let out a dry laugh. “I don’t think I could hurt any worse.”

  “Oh, Katie. This is so unfair—to all of you. At first when I caught you guys together, I thought Cooper was just . . . being Cooper. But I was wrong. You’re different. He cares for you—really cares for you. He’s been so sad this past month. He tries to hide it but I can tell.”

  Katie had been wrong about not hurting worse.

  “Maybe if . . .”

  “No. I won’t come between your brothers again.” That would be selfish. She of all people knew how important family was.

  “Do you really have to leave though? I love having you here. Who’s going to watch movies and eat brownies with me and tease me about my book boyfriends?”

  “We can stay in touch. Asheville’s only forty-five minutes away. And there’s always texting and phone calls. We don’t have to drift apart like we did after college.” Remembering Avery’s potential condition, she added, “And I’ll always be here for you if you ever need to talk.”

  “Thank you.” Avery gave her a pointed look. “And drifting apart is not an option. We’re so much closer now.”

  Katie sniffled and dredged up a smile. “We are. And we’ll stay that way. I promise.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  “I can give you two weeks if you really want me to. But I’d like to leave as soon as possible—while I still have the nerve. We both know the clinic will be just fine without me.”

  Avery’s face fell. “I guess I have to agree to your terms, seeing as how I’ve been such a rotten friend.”

  Katie took her hand. “I’d like today to be my last day.”

  “I hate this . . . But I understand. I really do.”

  Katie was relieved to have her friend back. It felt good, setting things to right before she left. If only she could figure out how to put her broken heart back together again.

  42

  Today had been the longest day of Cooper’s life—not to mention the most unproductive. He shifted in his truck, eyes locked on Megan’s apartment door. He’d taken the day off work, hoping to finally confront her about her false accusation. She’d apparently quit her job at the newspaper, so he’d spent the entire day staking out her place.

  It was now the eve of Election Day, and he was running out of time. But at this point the campaign wasn’t really the driving factor. He just wanted to set the record straight. Getting to the bottom of an injustice wasn’t just part of his job. It was in his blood.

  A flash of red snagged his attention. Across the parking lot Megan exited her car and strode toward her apartment building. Her long brown hair waved behind her like a flag in the autumn breeze.

  Finally.

  Cooper jumped from his truck and followed her into the building. She was unlocking her door when he caught up with her. He had to be careful not to scare her away. All she had to do was slip inside her apartment and refuse to answer the door.

  “Megan . . .”

  She whirled around. Her lips parted and her pallor went ashen. Her face was a little fuller than when he’d last seen her. His gaze dropped to the considerable bump of her belly.

  “Go away.” Megan scrambled with the lock.

  “Megan, wait. I just want to talk.”

  “I don’t want to talk. I’ll call the—”

  Panic flickered in her eyes as she no doubt remembered he was the law. Her fumbling finally paid off. She twisted the knob and pushed open the door.

  “Please, Megan. I’m not angry. I just want to understand.”

  Her eyes locked with his and she hesitated.

  He held up his hands, palms out. “You know me. You know I won’t hurt you. I’m not that guy. Just give me five minutes. Please.”

  Her eyes teared up. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever did it.”

  “Why did you then?”

  Her attention dropped to the frayed carpet at the threshold. A moment later she stepped back and opened the door.

  The apartment was warm from the heat of the day. She opened a window, and the breeze fluttered the thin curtains. “Might as well have a seat.” She lowered her weight into an armchair. A gray-striped cat jumped into her lap.

  He sat across from her on the sofa and measured his words. “What happened? Why did you tell people the baby was mine?”

  Her cheeks flushed as she stroked the cat. “I don’t know where to start.”

  “Try the beginning.”

  She stared down at the cat, seemingly lost in the past. “Soon after we had that disagreement, I lost my job—the one I’d moved here for. I was feeling . . . pretty low. I went to a bar and ended up going home with some guy—I don’t even remember his name. He was just visiting the area.”

  She gave him a wry look. “I guess you can see what happened after that. I got a job at the paper, but it was a severe pay cut. I wanted the baby but I didn’t know how I’d take care of it.”

  “What about your family?”

  She scowled at him. “I don’t have any, remember?”

  He really had been a jerk. “Sorry. I forgot.”

  “Back in September some man approached me when I was out with a friend. He said he’d pay me if I’d go into Riverbend Gap and spread the word that you’d fathered my baby and were denying it. He somehow knew we’d had a . . . dispute and that I was upset about it. He told me I could pay you back for being so awful to me. I said no at first. But then he told me how much he was willing to pay me, and I was still mad at you for calling me a liar.”

  Cooper clenched his jaw. She was a liar. “So you took the money.”

  “I was afraid I couldn’t support my baby, and I’ve never had that much money!”

  “You started a false rumor that ruined my reputation.”

  “I’m sorry! I know it was wrong, but I—”

  “Who was it? Who gave you that money?”

  Fear flashed in her eyes. “If I tell you, he’ll make me give it back and I already spent some of it.”

  “By the time I’m finished with him, he won’t be in any position to ask for it. I already know who it is—I just need you to confirm it.”

  Her face fell as his words sank in, and her eyes went glossy again. “It was Wayne Curtis.”

  Cooper rocked back in the seat. “You mean Sean Curtis.”

  She shook her head. “His father, the guy who owns that organic produce farm out on—”

  “I know who he is.” Cooper had spent an entire summer taking orders from him. He’d liked the man. Considered him a friend. He flinched from the sting of betrayal. That Wayne Curtis would trash Cooper’s reputation over this election soured his stomach. “Did Sean know about all this?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

  Cooper wasn’t so sure. “And the article in the Herald?”

  She looked sheepish. “The journalist has family in Riverbend. He heard my name attached to the pregnancy rumor and starting asking me questions at work. He said he wouldn’t use my name if I’d corroborate the rumor.”