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bell rang, he straightened off her locker, telling her he would meet her after school.
    “You are eighteen aren’t you?” He teased seductively running his tumb over her bottom lip.
    “Yes.” She sent him a flirtatious smile before she hurried off to her class.
    He then sent a gloating look in Sutton’s direction as she passed him to go to her homeroom, hardening himself against the tears he saw in her eyes and telling himself over and over what Pa always told him.
    “No one hurts a Porter and gets away with it. No one.”

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Sutton picked up a package of drop cloths, moving to the cleaning aisle in the local hardware store, hoping she would see less people in this store than the local grocery store. She would wait to go at night when she was sure not many customers would be in the store. She knew it was useless to avoid the locals who knew her, but she wanted to dodge as many as possible. She wasn’t looking forward to answering any of the nosy questions she was sure would be asked of her.
    Putting a gallon of bleach and a mop in her buggy, she went to the cash register where she recognized the woman ringing up purchases. Sutton ignored her curious gaze, handing her the cash for her supplies.
    “Sutton Creech?” Cheryl asked in dismay.
    “Hi, Cheryl.”
    “Damn, I can’t believe my eyes. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
    Sutton was aware of the difference in her appearance. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. Overall, the years had been kind to her, although they had been better to Cheryl, who was still as attractive as she had been in high school.
    “How long are you visiting?”
    “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made up my mind.” Sutton picked up her bag, wanting to get out the door as fast as possible.
    “Wait, you can’t just run off! We used to be best friends. Look, give me a minute, and we can go get a cup of coffee.”
    “I’m kind of in a hurry. Maybe next time…” Sutton felt guilty after seeing the disappointment on Cheryl’s face. She remembered the many sleepovers they’d had in high school.
    Sutton relented. Trying to avoid everyone was going to be a waste of time. Treepoint was too small. She would be better off just getting it over with and satisfying their curiosity. Then the town gossips could move on to someone else.
    “Never mind. I’ll put my bag in my car and meet you outside.”
    Cheryl’s face broke into a smile as she motioned for someone to take over the counter. Jared didn’t look happy as Cheryl explained they were going for a break. Sutton hadn’t liked Jared in high school, and she could see he hadn’t changed any since he and Cheryl had been together.
    Sutton went outside, placing the bag in the trunk of her car. She was slamming it shut when she saw Cheryl came outside.
    “You sure you have the time to go for a coffee? Jared didn’t look too happy.”
    Cheryl made a comical face. “I quit worrying about what Jared thought when I found out he was cheating on me.” Cheryl placed her arm through hers as they walked down the sidewalk toward the diner. Sutton felt uncomfortable with the friendly gesture, so she sped up, forcing Cheryl to release her.
    The restaurant was busy with the breakfast crowd when they entered, but few of the customers paid them any attention.
    She and Cheryl managed to grab a small table for two in the corner and ordered coffee before the waitress could escape.
    “I’m sorry to hear about Jared.” Sutton immediately directed the conversation toward Cheryl. If she was still like she was in high school, it would keep them occupied until it was time to return from her break.
    Cheryl shrugged. “I went a little crazy when I found out. Our divorce was just final a few weeks ago. He had the nerve to fight it after I found out he was banging five different women in town. He had even put one up in her own apartment so he could visit her anytime he wanted.”
    Sutton felt terrible for her friend. She knew how much Cheryl had