Page 76 of Confessions

“I’ve heard that one before,” she said with a chuckle. “This time I’m going to hold you to it.”

They stopped by Nadine’s place, where she gave Hershel fresh food and water, checked the mail and the phone messages, grabbed a small suitcase with a change of clothes and her makeup, and then they were on their way. In Gold Creek they purchased a Christmas tree, a stand and some decorations along with a few supplies and groceries.

Darkness had settled on the lake as they pulled into the drive of Hayden’s house. Through the tall trees, the lights of the house winked brightly.

“That’s odd,” Hayden said, his hands tightening over the wheel as they rounded the final bend and the headlights of his rig washed over the shiny finish of a white Jaguar. “Damn it all to hell,” he ground out as he stood on the brakes and the Jeep slid to a stop.

“Who’s here?” Nadine asked, uneasiness tightening into a hard ball in the pit of her stomach.

“Wynona,” he ground out, stepping down from the Jeep.

Nadine froze. Wynona Galveston was here? Through the locked gates and inside the locked house? As if she had her own key?

Hayden was striding furiously up the front walk when the door burst open, and Wynona, her supple body framed by interior lights, appeared.

“Thank God you’re here,” she said, smiling brightly. Her blond hair caught in the moonlight as she ran from the front door and threw herself into Hayden’s arms.

Nadine held back a small cry. Her insides shriveled and she felt the urge to run, to get as far away from Hayden as possible. But she kept her wits about her and took a deep breath. His relationship with Wynona might not be what it seemed.

Gathering her courage, Nadine found the door handle of the Jeep and slowly let herself out. The air was cold, blowing off the lake in wintry gusts. A thin layer of clouds partially obscured the moon, but she could see clearly as Hayden slowly peeled Wynona’s arms from around his neck.

“...but you have to help me,” Wynona was saying, tears frozen in her eyes.

“I don’t have to

do a damned thing.”

“You owe me.”

“I told you before I owe you nothing.” His voice was harsh and callous. Nadine felt bitter and betrayed.

“How can you be so cruel?” Wynona demanded, sobbing openly. “If it weren’t for you—”

“Don’t start this.”

“You nearly killed me,” she cried, tears running freely from her eyes.

Nadine’s stomach turned sour. She shouldn’t listen to this. Yet she couldn’t turn away.

“I didn’t—”

Wynona’s fury unleashed. “The accident was your fault, Hayden. It was your fault I nearly died, and damn it all to hell, it was your fault I lost the baby!”

Chapter Twelve

A BABY?

Nadine’s knees nearly gave out. Hayden and Wynona had created an unborn baby who had died in the boating accident? Oh, God, what was she doing here? Pain seared her soul. She’d believed him, she’d loved him, she’d given herself to him; and Hayden hadn’t even thought enough of her to tell her the truth. “How can you be so cruel?” Wynona broke into hysterical sobs, and Nadine felt as if she’d been hit in the stomach by an iron fist. She leaned against a tall pine for support and wished she’d never become involved with him again, never heard Wynona’s pathetic pleas. Her stomach roiled to think she’d imagined she’d loved him—a man who had— Oh, God, little by little she was dying inside.

Hayden swore loudly. “Damn it, Wynona, don’t you think you’ve got your facts twisted a bit?”

“You were there, Hayden. And you abandoned me. For some cheap little small-town whore—ouch!”

Stricken, Nadine glanced up and saw Hayden grab Wynona by the shoulders and give her an angry shake. “Don’t you ever talk about her—”

“Oh, Christ, don’t tell me you’re still in love with her!” Wynona’s eyes narrowed, and the tears seemed to melt away. As Nadine drew closer, Wynona’s gaze collided with hers and she sucked in her breath. “Well, I’ll be,” she whispered, shaking her head. “You still have your little redheaded piece of—”

“Stop it!” He shook her again.