Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Ainsley paused on the brick walkway leading to her parents’ house and glanced around. For the past two weeks she’d constantly had one eye over her shoulder, watching her surroundings for any sign of Joel. So far everything had been clear. Still, she refused to let down her guard.

The moment the Uber had dropped her off in Tess’s driveway, it was as if a tidal wave of relief washed over her. Tess didn’t ask questions, didn’t offer advice. She just pulled Ainsley inside with a smile that put her at ease.

All evening they’d reminisced on the past, intent on catching up. Not once did they speak of Joel or the past few years in which Ainsley had virtually disappeared. For the first time in years, Ainsley felt like she could finally relax.

She spent the first night at Tess’s house and though she was grateful for Tess’s help, Ainsley couldn’t stay there and risk her friend. She had to move on to keep them both safe.

Tess’s mother had passed away several months prior, and Tess had graciously offered the use of her car. Though Ainsley had tried to decline, Tess insisted. It was still in good condition, and Ainsley would need a vehicle at her disposal—just in case.

Ainsley briefly explained that she wanted to move closer to her parents and sisters. Of course, she couldn’t move back to Brookhaven; it was undoubtedly the first place Joel would look. Instead, Tess had suggested a small town about two hours’ drive northeast. It was close enough to visit, but far enough away to be safe.

Ainsley glanced over at the small Honda parked by the curb. It had been so long since she’d seen everyone. She hoped it was safe enough to visit. Just for today.

Since he hadn’t spotted her in Brookhaven, Joel would most likely assume she’d moved far away. Maybe he’d given up looking for her. A shiver rolled down her spine. He wouldn’t stop looking; she knew that with absolute certainty. Her only option was to lie low until he eventually—hopefully—moved on.

The air was thick with the pungent aroma of roses, and Ainsley closed her eyes, swallowing down the bile that had risen in her throat. If she never saw a red rose again, it would be too soon.

Before her hand even touched the knob, the front door swung open and her dad appeared, a broad smile on his face. He tugged her inside and pulled her into a big bear hug. “It’s good to see you.”

Her ribs still ached, and Ainsley held back a wince as she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him. “Hey. It’s good to be home.”

Guilt pricked at Ainsley. She hadn’t been home to visit in almost two years, blaming her absence on work. In reality, that was the furthest thing from the truth.

She felt like a disappointment and she could only imagine her family’s reaction if she ever told them the truth. She couldn’t bear to see the pity in their eyes.

Garrett Layne pulled back and stared intently at Ainsley, not saying a word. She started to squirm under the scrutiny and finally gave in. “What?”

Her dad studied her for another moment, concern emanating from blue eyes identical to hers. “I just worry about you,” he replied.

She shrugged nonchalantly and pasted on a fake smile. “Just busy. You know how it is.”

A raised eyebrow told her he wasn’t convinced, but he let it drop. “Your mom’s in the kitchen. She can’t wait to see you.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they made their way to the back of the house, and she was grateful for the temporary reprieve. Her mom would grill her, too, though her line of questioning would more than likely refer to Ainsley’s love life. Or, currently, lack thereof.

“Sweetheart! You’re here!” Charlene called happily as Ainsley and Garrett walked into the kitchen. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and came around the large kitchen island, holding her arms wide for a hug. “Oh, honey. It’s so good to see you.”

“Hi, Mom,” Ainsley replied, melting into her mother’s embrace. Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked them away before pulling away. “Where are Kinley and Brynlee?”

“Kinley’s on her way,” her dad replied, sliding into a seat at the island. “I hung up with her right before you got here, and Bryn should be here soon.”

“How have you been, honey?” Charlene studied her, a frown tugging at the space between her brows. “I feel like we never see you anymore, with you living so far away.”

Ainsley forced a small smile. “You know how it is. Work keeps me pretty busy.”

Her mother huffed out a breath. “Honestly. You haven’t been back home for nearly two years. You’re going to work yourself to death.”

Work was the least of her problems. She felt terrible for lying to her mother, but the truth was so much more complicated. And so much uglier.

Years ago, she’d loved Joel, and she thought he loved her. She hadn’t even noticed how deftly he’d isolated her from her friends and family, so she would have to rely solely on him. It made her sick to think how easily she’d fallen for the ruse.

She and Joel had met her junior year of college when they’d bumped into one another at a coffee shop. Handsome and worldly, he’d swept her off her feet almost immediately. Within just a few months, things had turned serious, and she’d invited him home to visit her parents.

Unsurprisingly, Joel had won them over with ease. He was charming and charismatic, and the fact that he was hardworking and successful only added to his appeal. Though his career as a cosmetic surgeon was incredibly demanding, he always made time for Ainsley. She’d never felt more in love than she did in those early days.

Six months into their relationship, he’d come to her with news: he’d been offered a more lucrative position in Minneapolis. Not wanting to be apart from her, he begged her to come with him.

Ainsley had just one year left until graduation, but it seemed like forever. Heartbroken at the thought of him living so far away, she’d decided to make the jump. Joel was thrilled, and he’d told her not to worry—if she moved in with him, she could take her time finishing her schooling and finding a job. He would take care of her.

Everything had seemed so perfect. Until it wasn’t.

She remembered the first time he’d hit her during an argument. The slap was so unexpected that it had shocked her into silence. Joel seemed horrified by what he’d done and had apologized profusely, telling her he was just stressed. But instead of curbing his abuse, his desire to control her had only grown. Over time the abuse had gotten worse, his cruelty coming more and more frequently.

For the past two years Joel hadn’t allowed her to leave the house except to run errands. Though she’d begged to come home for a visit last Christmas, he’d refused. It was a day Ainsley didn’t like to remember. She still carried the scars of that particular argument. After that, she’d stopped asking to do anything.

Instead, she’d begun to formulate a plan for escape. She slowly sold off designer items Joel had purchased for her and hid the money away where he would never find it.

It still didn’t feel quite real. She was certain one of these times she would look over her shoulder and he would be standing there, just waiting for her.

The front door opened, and she jumped at the sound. Her heart was still pounding a minute later when Kinley rounded the corner. “Hey, everyone.”

Her cerulean eyes lit on Ainsley and flared wide. “Ains! You’re here!”

Kinley rushed forward and pulled Ainsley into a tight hug that took her breath away. Still, it felt so damn good she couldn’t make himself let go. Finally, Kinley eased away and stared at her. “God, it feels like forever since you’ve been home.”

“I know.” For the first time in forever, Ainsley smiled. “I promise it won’t be so long next time.”

She wasn’t sure how often she could make it home, but Joel no longer had control over her. This was her life, and she was finally taking control.

Her sister plopped into a chair. “How’s Joel?”

Ainsley had been waiting for the question, but it still managed to catch her off guard. “We, um… We’re not together anymore.”

For a moment, it was so silent she could have heard a pin drop. Thankfully, Kinley recovered quickly. “Well, I’m glad you were able to come today. Are you thinking of moving back?”

Ainsley studiously avoided her gaze. “I’m not sure yet.”

Charlene cleared her throat as she pulled the roast from the oven. “Set the table, will you, girls?”

Ainsley pulled silverware from a drawer to her right while Kinley grabbed plates and they made their way to the large table just off the kitchen.

“How’s work going?” she asked Kinley.

She let out a haggard sigh. “Same shit, different day.”

“Language,” Charlene admonished loudly from the kitchen.

Ainsley and Kinley shared a smile. Despite the fact that they were in their mid-twenties, their mother was a stickler for manners. There was a time and place for swearing, and the dinner table was off limits. Not that they hadn’t heard their mother cuss up a blue streak before—Charlene could swear with the best of them, especially when her competitive streak kicked in.

Ainsley deftly changed topics. “I’m sure you did just fine. Are you doing anything fun this summer?”

“Doubtful. With working on the house, I won’t have the time or money to do anything else.”

Kinley had just bought her first house, a little fixer-upper a few streets over, and she was currently pouring everything she had into it. “What about you? What’s been going on with you?”

Ainsley shrugged as she continued around the table. “Just working.”

Kinley glanced over at the kitchen, then back to Ainsley. Her voice dropped several octaves. “Where are you living now?”

“Some little town no one’s ever heard of.” She flicked a look at her sister and smiled, but she knew it fell flat when Kinley continued to stare at her.

“Have you ever thought of coming back home?” Kinley asked softly. “You’re more than welcome to move in with me”—she grinned—“if you don’t mind the mess.”

Tears pricked Ainsley’s eyes, and she dropped her gaze to the table. The thought of moving home, being near her family, sounded so damn good. But she couldn’t come back. Not yet. “I’ll think about it.”

Kinley smiled as she placed plates around the table. “So, where are you working now?”

“A bar.” She didn’t dare offer more than that. If someone mistakenly mentioned Woody’s to the wrong person, it could lead Joel straight to her. She hated lying to her family, but no one could know her hell of the last few years—she didn’t need to drag anyone else down with her.

“Hey, everyone!” Brynlee called as the front door opened again.

She let out a little squeal when she saw Ainsley and practically threw herself into her sister’s arms. “Oh, my gosh! You’re here!”

Ainsley’s heart twisted in her chest. She’d missed this—the camaraderie, the closeness… She and her sisters were each only a year apart, and they’d been thick as thieves growing up. They’d had their squabbles, of course, but they were the best of friends, and it had killed Ainsley to be separated from them for so long.

Brynlee pulled back and studied Ainsley intently. “You seem tense.”

Ainsley gave a tight smile. “Maybe a little.”

Brynlee twirled her finger, silently ordering her to turn around, and Ainsley reluctantly spun around. Brynlee’s hands slipped over her shoulders and gently dug into the knots at the base of her neck. Ainsley dropped her head back with a soft groan as exquisite relief rushed through her. “God, Bryn. That feels amazing.”

“How long are you in town? You should come by the salon, let me pamper you a bit.”

“As much as I would love that…” Ainsley let out another moan as Brynlee worked a particularly tense spot. “I have to head back tonight.”

“Next time, then.”

Ainsley threw a grin over her shoulder at her sister. “Can’t wait.”

The next couple of hours passed by quickly and for the first time in a long while, Ainsley enjoyed herself immensely. She sat back and watched her parents and her sisters interact, joking and laughing with one another. Maybe she should come back to visit more often.

After they’d finished dinner and sat making small talk, Charlene turned to Ainsley. “I’m sure you’ll want to get on the road soon. Would you mind running an errand for me?”

Ainsley smiled indulgently. “Whatever you need.”

“The sheriff lives just outside of town. Would you mind dropping off some apple pie for him? It’s his favorite.”

Ainsley’s brows drew together. “I thought he lived over by the school?”

“Oh, no.” Charlene made a face. “Aggie passed away a few years back, you know.”

Brynlee and Kinley traded glances and Garrett opened his mouth as if to speak, but Charlene steamrolled right over him. “Anyway, he lives over on Echoglen, right next to the lake. I promised I would send some along next time I made it. I’d hate to disappoint him.”

“All right,” Ainsley finally relented, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “I would hate to disappoint him.”

Her mom gave her a sunny smile. “Perfect.”

She spooned a generous portion into a Tupperware container, along with some leftover roast and potatoes from supper. Ainsley cocked an eyebrow at her mother as Charlene thrust the containers into her arms. “What? It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

Ainsley shook her head. Charlene was like the proverbial mother hen, always trying to nurture everyone around her. How in the world the sheriff had ended up in her sphere was beyond Ainsley, but if her mother wanted thought he needed help, who was she to say no?

With a wave to her father and sisters, she headed toward the front door. Checking to make sure her family was absorbed in discussion, Ainsley cracked the door and peered outside. Nothing appeared to be out of place, and she sailed down the sidewalk and climbed into the car.

So far, so good. She smiled as she pulled away from the curb, her spirits high. Maybe Joel had given up on her after all.