Page 106 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“You started a false rumor that ruined my reputation.”

“I’m sorry! I know it was wrong, but I—”

“Who was it? Who gave you that money?”

Fear flashed in her eyes. “If I tell you, he’ll make me give it back and I already spent some of it.”

“By the time I’m finished with him, he won’t be in any position to ask for it. I already know who it is—I just need you to confirm it.”

Her face fell as his words sank in, and her eyes went glossy again. “It was Wayne Curtis.”

Cooper rocked back in the seat. “You meanSeanCurtis.”

She shook her head. “His father, the guy who owns that organic produce farm out on—”

“I know who he is.” Cooper had spent an entire summer taking orders from him. He’dlikedthe man. Considered him a friend. He flinched from the sting of betrayal. That Wayne Curtis would trash Cooper’s reputation over this election soured his stomach. “Did Sean know about all this?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

Cooper wasn’t so sure. “And the article in theHerald?”

She looked sheepish. “The journalist has family in Riverbend. He heard my name attached to the pregnancy rumor and starting asking me questions at work. He said he wouldn’t use my name if I’d corroborate the rumor.”

Cooper pressed his lips together so he wouldn’t say something he’d regret.

Tears spilled down her flushed cheeks. “I know it was wrong. It was an impulsive decision, and then things just spiraled out of control. I’m sorry I ever agreed to take Wayne’s money. I know you came here looking for me. A neighbor told me and I panicked. I used some of the money to skip town for a while. I was ashamed of what I’d done and afraid to face you. I’m sorry, Cooper. You didn’t deserve that.”

The honesty and raw regret in her pained expression soothed his anger. Now there was only one thing to decide... What would he do with this information?

Cooper felt lighter as he drove back to Riverbend. Maybe what he’d discovered wouldn’t change the election, but the truth would soon be out. He wasn’t guilty of what Megan had accused him of.

His phone buzzed. Avery. Probably calling about finalizing the speeches. He accepted the call on Bluetooth. “Don’t worry. I got your email with the schedule and I’m free tonight to go over the speech wording.”

“That’s not why I’m calling. Have you talked to Katie?”

He paused at the tension in her tone. “I ran into her yesterday at Trail Days. Why? What’s wrong?”

“She’s leaving, Cooper. She resigned from the clinic today. She’s leaving town tomorrow.”

“What? Why?”

“Why wouldn’t she? I’ve been a complete jerk at work this month, and she doesn’t have any family here—or friends for that matter.”

She had her birth mother, actually. But the woman apparently hadn’t earned back her daughter’s trust. He ached for Kate. And he ached for himself because he couldn’t imagine his world without her sunny smile. Without the hope of running into her someplace—even if he couldn’t act on his feelings.

This was all his fault. She belonged in Riverbend. If only he’d kept his lips to himself, the Robinsons would still welcome her.

“What are we going to do?” Avery asked. “I tried to talk her out of it, but she’s determined to leave.”

He thought of the relationship Kate had begun forging with his mom. After having been rejected by her own mother, it meant a lot to have a mother figure embrace her with such warmth. How much it must’ve hurt when his mom had also rejected her.

A fist tightened around his heart. “I’m calling a family meeting tonight.”

“I shouldn’t have—You should probably stay out of this, Coop. The family’s just now starting to heal.”

“This isn’t fair to Kate. Why should she have to lose everything and everyone she cares about?”

“I get what you’re saying. I feel that way too. It’s just—”