Page 42 of Shattered Secrets

Shit. This conversation was not going according to plan. “Did you grow up in Arizona?”

Again, she shook her head. “I grew up in this tiny little nowhere town in South Dakota.”

“I was not expecting that,” he said, laughing at himself.

Her lips curved up the tiniest bit. “Things were tough when I was a kid, and I ended up moving out on my own when I was fourteen.”

Holy fuck.Fourteen. Thank god he’d had years of practice controlling his expressions. He remained quiet, afraid that if he said anything, she’d stop speaking.

Scarlet studied her nails. “I dropped out of school in ninth grade and moved in with some friends. I got a job... waitressing, and...” She shrugged. “I’ve been doing that ever since.”

Again, his intuition blared at him. He believed she was telling the truth, at least partially. But there was a whole lot more to her story...

“Then you moved from South Dakota to Arizona?”

She nodded, and he could see the hesitation in her eyes. As if she were debating how much to tell him. “After a few years, things didn’t work out with those friends. I ended up in San Diego for a few months and found out I was pregnant with Daisy. Then I moved to Arizona and got a waitressing gig, had Daisy, and ended up staying there for a few years. I moved here just before her third birthday.”

“Of all the places in the world, what brought you to Hudson Island?”

Scarlet grinned, and relief coursed through him at the sight. It was a real smile. One that had her eyes twinkling. “The diner I worked at was owned by this really nice older couple, Walt and Rita. They were just the sweetest people and kinda took me and Daisy under their wing.”

“Kind of like how Ray and Martha have?” It was no secret that the couple considered Scarlet and Daisy their adopted grand- and great-granddaughters.

Scarlet’s grin grew. “Funny you should say that. See, Rita had a best friend growing up who she’d kept in contact with for their entire lives. But the way things worked out with their marriages and such, they ended up living in different states. So, when I talked with Rita about... wanting a change for me and Daisy, she called up her best friend. Who, coincidentally, also owned a diner with her husband...”

Matt knew he was sporting the sappiest smile, but he didn’t care. “Martha and Ray.”

She clasped her hands together over her heart. “Martha and Ray. And they’ve been absolutely wonderful to us.”

“You and Poppy are pretty close, too, right?”

Nodding, she moved her clasped hands to her lips. “I’ve been so lucky since I arrived here. Poppy has been a godsend. Truly.”

“How so?”

Scarlet smiled. How hadn’t Poppy been a godsend? That was the better question.

“Poppy’s like my role model. When I first met her, she was really intimidating. I mean, she had her business, she’s gorgeous, and it seemed like she had the perfect family.” Matt scowled, and she held up her hand. “I know.Seemedwas the operative word there.” Poppy’s ex-husband, Eli, was a cheating, gaslighting piece of shit. “I quickly found out that things weren’t quite how they appeared, and I think that made her an even bigger inspiration. Not only was she a young single mom like me, but she had Carter and Dylan atsixteen. Three years before me, and they’re freakingtwins!”

Scarlet shuddered. In comparison to most other kids, Daisy was super mellow. But that didn’t mean her daughter couldn’t be a handful. The kid definitely had her trying moments. No way could Scarlet even begin to imagine two.

“Poppy shared some of her struggles with me,” she continued, “and I was just so impressed that she not only ran a successful business, but at the same time, also raise two amazing sons basically on her own—because we can all agree that Eli was worthless.”

Matt snorted. “Very true.”

Watching Daisy play with the cats, Scarlet was grateful that her daughter was blissfully unaware of all the adult stressors in life. “I don’t know,” she said, letting out a breath. “Poppy has kind of become my big sister, and her friendship and support mean a lot.”

Her friendship and support meant everything. She’d never had someone like Poppy. Someone she could count on. Someone who truly cared about her. Someone who wouldn’t fuck her over the second it was beneficial to them. “Poppy gives me hope that I can do right by Daisy. Like if she could make a good life for two kids, then I can do the same with one.”

A couple of seconds ticked by in silence, and her face flushed with embarrassment. Damn. She was pretty sure the last thing Matt wanted to hear was all this. Before she could backtrack and make some quip to lighten the mood, he reached over and took her hand. She froze.

“It kills me that you doubt yourself.”

She dared to peek at him, and the care in his eyes stopped her breath.

“You’re a wonderful mom, Scarlet.” Without releasing her gaze, he nodded toward Daisy. “She’s a wonderful kid. That’s all you.”

This man made her want to spill her guts. He was so calm and steady, and she didn’t know why, but she felt like no matter what she said, he wasn’t going to judge her. “I worry about her. She’s so shy and quiet. I’m so scared kids are going to bully her or hurt her or try to take advantage of her.”

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