Page 36 of As It Was (Strawberry Springs #1)

MOLLIE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor

@everyone A TRAGEDY has befallen our little town!

Comments:

Jade Clark : Is it another ass on main?

Kerry Winsor : My Brussels sprouts! They were eaten by DEER!

Atticus Thompson : No way. Deer in Tennessee? Say it ain’t so.

Kerry Winsor : Thanks for the sarcasm, Atticus. As the resident veterinarian, do you have any tips on how to keep them from my yard, or are you just determined to kick me while I’m down?

Atticus Thompson : Your house is in a field. Build a fence.

Kerry Winsor : Easy for you to say! I’ll just chase them off next time.

Henry Connor : Do NOT chase deer. That’s a one-way ticket to the hospital.

A feeling of dread settled into the pit of my stomach as I saw the Nashville skyline in the distance. I’d driven three hours, and the closer I got, the less like myself I felt. I’d gotten used to Strawberry Springs, and it was obvious my worst day there was far better than my best day here.

It wasn’t like I had a lot of bad days anyway. Ever since Cain and I had first slept together, they were good. Great, even. It had only been a week, but we’d settled into a rhythm of sharing the house that I could only have dreamed of.

He would either come to my room or I would go to his. Rarely did either of us sleep alone. It was completely different than the last time I’d shared a living space with someone I was with.

Which made the drive to Nashville all the more difficult.

Cain had tried to hide it, but I knew he wasn’t thrilled that I was coming. I’d considered backing out, but then I remembered Mom’s hopeful voice on the phone.

I was telling myself it would be fine when I pulled into the driveway that was full of cars.

But then I saw one I recognized all too well.

Trevor’s.

“Fuck,” I groaned once my car was in park. I closed my eyes and tried to channel calm . Instead, I got a mix of rage and fear.

Slowly, one inch at a time, I fought my body and got out of the car.

Trevor was waiting for me.

“I’m surprised you showed,” he said, and his eyes dragged over my body. “You don’t look as bad as I thought you would.”

“As bad as—excuse me?”

“You’re ... feisty .” He laughed. He’d used that word on me a lot early in our relationship, and it had always felt like an insult. “We’ll see how long that lasts. Welcome back home, Mollie.”

“Some welcome. You immediately gave me a backhanded compliment.”

He smiled, but it wasn’t kind. “It’s all you deserve.”

I remembered Cain’s words about Trevor, about how all of this was so dangerous, and I steeled myself.

“Don’t you have people to suck up to?” I asked.

“I’m trying to check on my ex-fiancée who left me for a dump in the middle of nowhere.”

I hummed. “It really says a lot about your relationship skills, doesn’t it?”

He stepped close, making my heart jump into my throat. “Let’s get one thing clear, you don’t?—”

“Mollie!” My mom’s voice interrupted us as she bounded out of the house. “It’s so good to see you!”

I was pulled into a tight hug, one that gave me much-needed breathing room from Trevor. “Hey,” I said, hugging her back.

“Was your drive okay?”

“Yeah, it was good.”

She pulled away and looked between Trevor and me. “Oh, I was excited for this reunion. What were you two talking about?”

I should have told her what he’d said. I needed to be open about it, but the same ball of cotton that had stopped me with Cain made its way into my throat.

Trevor used that to answer first.

“Just pleasantries,” he said. “I think the people of Strawberry Springs have few manners. She forgot a few of them.”

“Oh, trust me. They have no manners.” Mom rolled her eyes. “The only thing that matters to them is gossip.” She turned to me. “Which is why I’m glad you’re here.”

My body still buzzed with nerves, and all I could do was nod. She pulled me inside, ready to show me off to all her friends. Trevor smirked at me as he followed, and though he disappeared after a few moments, I knew this wasn’t over.

Mom introduced me to a bunch of people who all smiled and fawned over me being in town. They also gave me some version of what Trevor had said.

Wow! Is that dress new? I didn’t know you could find something like that out there.

You’re in such good shape! Who knew farm life would make you lose weight?

I thought you’d be dressed down! And then Maribelle would have to fine you like she did me for my flowers!

My annoyance rose, but I kept it together as I hung out with Mom. Her smile was so big now that I was home, her laugh brighter than ever before.

It made me feel terrible for leaving.

As we caught up with everyone, I kept an eye out for Trevor. He was mostly talking to our coworkers, but I knew he was watching me too.

How had I not noticed the evil glint in his eye?

“I know things are hard right now,” Mom said when we were alone. I didn’t realize she had followed my gaze. “But I hope you guys can talk. You always had such a nice relationship.”

“You know what?” I said. “I need some water.”

“Okay!” Mom replied. “I also have your favorite ice cream waiting for you. Cookie dough!”

My heart panged. I didn’t think cookie dough ice cream would ever taste the same without Cain sharing it with me.

I went to the kitchen and took a deep breath before pulling out my phone to text him.

The walking red flag is here. I regret everything .

I barely had time to send it before someone walked up behind me.

“Don’t think I haven’t seen you staring.” Trevor’s voice was like sandpaper on my nerves. “Have you finally realized you miss me?”

“I’m making sure I know where you are so I can avoid you.”

“You’re feeling very bold for a woman who dropped her ring on the table and left.”

“I’m taking a page from someone else’s book today.” I went to leave, but he caught me by the arm.

“I told your mom I’d talk to you, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

“We’ve exchanged words. That’s talking.”

“Mollie.” His voice was a hiss. “We’re gonna talk. That’s final.”

His order was my last straw. I would not be letting this happen.

“It’s funny that you think you can talk to me like that, but you and I know damn well your balls aren’t big enough for that. Nothing about you is.”

I wrenched my arm out of his grip and stormed off. My breath came in heaves as I sat in the den, finally alone.

God, FUCK Trevor.

Cain didn’t answer either text I’d sent him, and I tried to fight the disappointment.

I waited for a few minutes before I meandered around the party, talking to a few of my coworkers while I avoided Trevor.

It worked, mostly. It was easier to tolerate their curious questions about what I was up to rather than Trevor’s straight disdain.

I didn’t look him in the eye, but I could feel his rage about my words .

Eventually, I finally found myself next to Dad. He nursed a glass of whiskey and smiled when he saw me.

“There you are, Mollie-bear.”

“Here I am,” I said.

“It’s nice to see you catching up with everyone. I bet you miss them out in Strawberry Springs.”

I actually didn’t. I barely thought about these people. “Yeah, kinda.”

“Come outside with me, Mollie. We need to talk.”

A pinprick of nervousness made its way back into my stomach, but I followed him to the backyard. It was a cool night. Cars rushed by on the nearby road, creating a white noise that Strawberry Springs didn’t have.

“It’s been a few months now,” Dad started. “Longer than we expected.”

“I know, but I’ve been working hard.”

“You have. But it’s not the same as being in the office. You’re missing out on a lot.”

I crossed my arms. “Is this where you tell me to come back?”

“You need to,” he said. “I don’t know everything that happened with you and Trevor other than what he’s told me?—”

“He’s told you things?”

“Yes. And I want you to know that I understand how scary it is to commit.”

I blinked. “He said I left because I wasn’t ready to commit?”

“Yes. And what you two had was real. And you’re scared.”

“I . . . I didn’t?—”

“Fear can take on many forms, Mollie. But you two have been together so long.” Dad patted his pocket and pulled out something shiny.

“Is that Trevor’s ring?”

“It’s your ring.” He grabbed my palm and turned it over. “He and I have talked long and hard about this. Despite everything , he would be willing to take you back and pick up where you left off.”

“I’m seeing someone else,” I said, shaking my head.

“Even so. Hang on to that. You need a reminder of the life you have here. You’ve basically moved there while telling us this is temporary.”

I looked at my feet. Was that what I was doing? Even Cain had asked me when I was going back. And I never had an answer.

“But still?—”

“Mollie,” Dad said, “it’s time to choose.”

“Choose between what?”

“The farm or here. I didn’t want to do this, but Trevor thinks it’ll work. And I’m inclined to believe him.”

“Are you giving me an ultimatum?”

“Yes. Come back to work. To Nashville. Now. You can keep your job and get your fiancé back. Or, you can return to fields and an old house.”

“Dad, come on.”

“We’ve tried being nice. You’re trying to balance two lives here, Mollie. Pick one and stick with it. If you walk out that door and go back to the farm, I’ll have my answer. Then you can mail that ring back to Trevor. I just hope you’re happy with whatever you choose.”

He gave me a small smile before he went inside, and I was left with a cold ring in my hand. I was tempted to throw it, but knowing Trevor, he’d sue me for it.

“It’s time for cake and singing!” Mom called from the door.

“Coming,” I said as I shoved the ring deep in my pocket.

“Everything okay?” she asked as I passed by.