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“Do you think he might have…done it?” I croak, hating how it sounds out loud.
He runs his hand up his other arm and shrugs. “I hate to think it’s one of us. But I can’t ignore the evidence.”
“He says he didn’t do it.”
He gives me a sideways glance. “Don’t they all?”
My mouth opens to defend him, but I can’t form the words.
“Here you go, honeybun. Cherry pie and vanilla ice cream,” Pearl cheers, interrupting us and setting a plate in front of me with a rolled-up napkin on the side. I take a large spoonful, getting a little ice cream with the pie, and shove it in my mouth. The tart cherries mixed with the sweet vanilla ice cream make me hum.
For the next half hour, I tell them about college and the classes I’m taking. How I’m excited to live on campus and start my communication degree. Between Chip’s lit-up expressions and Pearl’s cheering, I put aside my doubts and questions and enjoy the two people who have been like family to me.
“So, you find any cute boys yet?” Pearl says, wagging her brows.
Shaking my head, I reply, “That’s the last thing I’m looking for right now.”
Had I seen her yesterday, I would’ve told her about Paxton. How everything was going right in my life. I would’ve told her all about his ranch house and Riggs and how he makes my heart beat faster every time I see him.
But that was yesterday.
Her brows furrow as she puckers her red lips. “Honey, you should always be open to love.” With her aroma, she’s open for husband number five. She picks up a coffee pot and flitters away.
I turn to Chip, placing my spoon down on my empty plate. “You know about my parents’ accident, right?” He didn’t live here when it happened, but I have no doubt he knows all about it. His smile drops as he nods.
“Was my dad drunk? Was the accident his fault?”
Did my dad kill Paxton’s brother? And my mom? My stomach clenches at the awful notion.
Chip lowers his coffee cup. “I don’t know all the details. What were you told?”
“That’s just it. I can’t remember if I was told or if I just assumed. I was only eight. But all my life, I’ve thought the other guy was the reason for the accident.”
“I can find out for you. If that’s what you want, but there are some things better left buried.” His eyes widen to saucers as soon as the words leave his mouth. “Shit. Talk about sticking my foot in my mouth. Sorry, kid.”
I lay my head on his shoulder and sigh. “No worries.”
We sit there, quiet for a few moments.
“I heard about the money,” he murmurs, and I snap up. “I hope that when your life settles, you’ll make the best of it.”
Pearl walks back up to us, and I narrow my eyes.
“Lady, you have some loose lips.”
She roars, laughing. “Hon, these lips have been married four times. They’re looser than a sail flapping in the wind.”
I try not to laugh. Those lips weren’t the ones I was referring to. “You know what I mean,” I say, half laughing, half trying to be serious. “How many people did you tell about the money?”
She looks at Chip and then back at me. “I’m sorry. I was so worried about you it might’ve slipped out a couple of times.”
“A couple?”
“I swear. Just Chip and Henry.” She winces at Henry’s name.
“I already heard.” I nod. “I saw him before I came here.”
“I promise, that’s it.” She holds up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
