"Time does that," I said. "Or prison."
She looked up fast, lips parted, like she was about to apologize, but then she read the smirk on my face and relaxed half an inch. "You were in prison?"
"No," I said, "but I figured everyone would assume it, so. Saves you the trouble."
She snorted, and it sounded like a real laugh. The tension in my chest eased a click or two. Maybe coming back wouldn’t be as hard as I thought.
"Well," she said, "you look good for a felon. Come on, have a seat and we can catch up."
She led me to a table in the corner, taking the outer seat so I could sit facing the counter. The girl came back into my view and I caught Sutton smile at herself but I ignored it.
"So, you here to stay?" she asked, voice low and private.
"I don’t know," I said, too quickly. "Just taking care of family stuff."
She looked at me, searching my face for a lie, then nodded like she’d already expected that answer. "People around here have long memories."
"That’s the problem with small towns," I said. "Hard to outgrow your old story."
She tilted her head, glancing back at the doe-eyed girl. "Maybe you just need a new one."
“Maybe.” I took a bite of the pastry and practically moaned. “Shit, Sutt, this is amazing.”
“Lily made ‘em.” She nodded her head toward Doe-Eyes. Lily. Beautiful. “They’re one of our biggest sellers.”
I spoke in between chews. “I can see why.”
“I’m sure you’ve had all sorts of amazing baked goods out in California.”
"Yeah, well, nothing as good as this, I can promise you that.”
She did a little dance in her chair. “Ooh I love to hear it.”
“You did well for yourself. You ever get out?"
She hesitated, like she wanted to answer honestly but didn’t trust herself to. "For a little while," she said. "Then I came back. Sometimes it feels like this place is made of gravity."
"Believe it or not, I know the feeling," I said. "But I always thought you’d end up in a big city, running something fancier than this."
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Maybe in another life. Right now, I like knowing everyone’s story.” She looked to Lily again. “And being a little part of it."
I laughed. “You were always good at being a part of other people’s stories. I remember all those times you sneaked into the barn, tryin’ to get in on the boys’ action, then ratting us out when we’d force you to leave.”
“Yeah because y’all would never let me play with you. I wouldn’t have been a snitch if you’d just let me hang out.” She turned her nose up and crossed her arms over her chest and I laughed.
“Yeah well, no girls allowed.”
“That was a stupid rule, and you know it.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“How’s your brother doing?”
“Ah, you know Damon. A real grumpy pain in my ass.”
“I bet.”
“I know he’ll be glad to see you.”
