Page 65 of Dirty Secret Love

“Actually, she didn’t drink at all. There’s nothing to hide from her parents, so she doesn’t need it anymore,” Wren says matter-of-factly.

“I need more information about her,” I state. “Why is she working for free? Why did she say you don’t need her anymore?”

Wren looks at Drake, then my brothers, and finally me. Then she tells us that the town doesn’t have much of a budget. The sheriff and most of the government positions are paid by Finnegan Gil and his company. The library closed for a few years. Sutton is the one who convinced the mayor to open it again and financed the renovation and buys the books. She works for free because that’s the only way to keep it open.

When Wren separated from her ex-husband, she needed a lot of emotional and physical support. Sutton is the one who said Jez and her should move back into town, which coincided with the death of Jezebel’s grandfather. She took over the bar, and they’ve been trying to make this town a better place.

“How do I convince her to stay?” I ask, because even when I’ve been trying to get to know her for the past three weeks, I feel like there’s a lot of things I still don’t know about her motivations.

“You can’t,” she says. “It’s uncomfortable to live around your abuser. Even when she doesn’t want to admit it, her parents have emotionally abused her for years.”

“What if I kick her mother out?” I propose desperately, because I seriously don’t know where to go from here.

Wren smiles faintly. “You do care about her, don’t you?”

“I love her, and I don’t want to lose her,” I confess.

“Sorry, I wish I had a better answer to your question,” Wren says regretfully. “But Sutton needs to do what’s best for her own healing and growth. That may mean leaving this town for a fresh start.”

I sigh heavily, even though I know deep down Wren is right. Sutton has been controlled by her mother for too long. As much as I want her to stay, I can’t force her. I need to support whatever choice suits her the most.

* * *

River:Morning, darling. I missed you.

Sutton:Sorry, I was too drunk to head home.

River:Are you lying again?

Sutton:Yep.

River:I wish you had come home. Daisy missed you too.

Sutton:Thank you for feeding her.

River:Anytime. What’s the plan for today?

Sutton:I have a meeting with the mayor at ten. After that I’ll decide. There’s not much I can afford in NYC.

River:If you want, I know of a place or two where you can stay in Virginia.

Sutton:What if they burn them to a crisp while I’m there?

River:They’re not under my name—or my father’s. You’d be safe.

Sutton:You could move there with me.

River:I would have to be there in confinement until this is over. Though it’d be fun if you’re with me, I don’t think I can do it. Remember the quarantine?

Sutton:It wasn’t bad. The sheriff, Wren, and Gina controlled the situation pretty well, but no one traveled out of Heartwood Lake—or visited us.

River:When will you leave?

Sutton:Probably next week. I have a lot to arrange before my departure.

River:I wish I can do something to keep you with me.

Sutton:Take care of my mother.

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