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Kerry Winsor
I feel so much better now that I know the whole story. We’re all in agreement that we’re NOT talking to Cain, right?
Comments:
Jade Clark: He lives here. We kinda can’t not talk to him.
Kerry Winsor: We could boycott the farm.
Tammy Jane: Are you serious?
Kerry Winsor: He needs to know he was wrong!
I knewI needed to make myself scarce. I didn’t knowwhereI was going, just that I needed to leave.
And out of habit, I was heading toward Nashville.
Was that where I wanted to be? Maybe not.
But the entirety of Strawberry Springs was mad. Rumors were swirling, and I had caused it. Cain didn’t need me at the farmhouse.
What other choice did I have?
I struggled not to cry as I got closer and closer. I was terrified of what my parents would do when they saw me, but they were the only ones who didn’t hate me. Or at least I hoped they didn’t.
But I needed them. Desperately.
When I pulled into the driveway, I completely broke down. I felt terrible. Both for leaving and for causing such a mess back in the place that had started to feel like home. My chest ached as I thought about the way Cain had looked at me, like I’d broken everything.
And I had.
The door to my car opened. “Mollie?” Mom’s voice asked. “Honey, are you okay?”
I silently shook my head.
She opened her arms without explanation. I fell into her, still feeling the regret ofeverything.
“Come inside.” Her voice was soft. “You need some tea and a listening ear.”
I followed her without another word.
Minutes later, I had a warm drink in my hand and my tears had slowed to sniffles.
“Tell me everything.”
“I doubt you wanna know. It’s Strawberry Springs drama.”
“If it upset you this much, then I want to.” She grabbed my arm. “So, start from the beginning.”
I wiped my eyes and did as she asked. I told her how Cain had been in the beginning and how we’d finally made a truce. And then how it had all fallen apart. She listened intently, but her eyes narrowed as I got to the night prior where Kerry had tricked me.
“This is almost exactly what happened to me,” shemuttered. “I’m telling you, that town sees everything one way. And nothing will change their mind.”
“I really hurt Cain.”
“No,theydid. Honestly, asking questions while you were drunk?” She shook her head. “Of course they did.”
“Did you know Kerry?”