Page 70 of Camera Stays On

“What a shock it was, though, when you popped out of the van with a purple dress on and bows in your hair. That’s when you got your nickname. I couldn’t help myself. I blurted out—“Wow, Dad, ain’t she purdy?”

I sighed. I’d heard this story a hundred times.

“It took almost a full month for me to gain the courage to knock on your door. I talked about you nonstop. The purdy girl next door. Finally, my dad got tired of hearing about it and told me to go over there. But I was too nervous. I had to take Ash with me.”

He stepped forward, and like a skittish squirrel, I stiffened and took a step back.

“I’m starting to realize that might have been a mistake. Bringing him along. I should never have let him see your smile when you opened that door. He saw what I saw and wanted it too. But he can’t have that, Purdy. I don’t do well with sharing.”

My blood chilled. He continued to slowly step forward, and I continued stepping back.

“I d-d-d—” My lips refused to move in the right way to shape the word don’t. I was trying to deny knowing anything, but it was clear in Sawyer’s eyes—he knew.

“Oh, I think you do,” he said, seeming to read my mind. “We all know, Purdy.”

I shook my head as my back hit a tree trunk. I winced as the impact vibrated down to my injured thigh. My hands went behind me, grappling for the bark.

“Sawyer...” I gulped. “Please...”

He reached me and took my hand, lifting it to his lips. He placed a kiss on the back of it, and looked back into my eyes. Using his other hand, he dug into his pocket, pulling out a little black box. He popped it open with one hand, revealing my old engagement ring. Keeping hold of my hand, he maneuvered the ring out and put the box back in his pocket.

“Purdy,” he murmured as he slid the ring onto my shaking hand. The weight of it felt heavier than the actual gold and diamond. “We’re gonna do it right this time.” He kissed my hand again, and I yanked it back, his lips made of fire. My face distorted in utter revulsion.

“What are you talking about?” I slid to the side, watching for traps on the ground.

“I let my brother see you, and he tried to take you from me. But I’m not letting that happen this time. He thought I didn’t know. This whole time—all five years you were gone—he thought he’d gotten away with it, but I knew. I’m not stupid.” He spat the last word, and I blanched.

I bit back my tongue, the same way I had at the wedding. If I wanted to, I could tell him the truth—that I never cheated on him, that I was glad I’d walked away. That maybe I should have cheated—but my self-preservation made me hold back and let him keep talking.

“He thought I wouldn’t want you after finding out about your cheating on me. And, I’ll admit, I was angry, but I never stopped wanting you. You shouldn’t have run that day, Purdy.” His tone cooled, and the energy around us shifted. No longer was I confused and startled.

Now I was scared.

“Purdy...” he warned and lifted his jacket, revealing the gun in his waistband. “If you leave again…”

“You’ll shoot me?” I huffed. “Again?”

“Are you going to make me?” he shot back.

No, I suppose I would not. As if knowing I was talking about it, my thigh began a slow, deep ache that took my breath away.

“That was a warning shot.” He stepped away and closed his jacket, buttoning it back up. “You remember how many deer, rabbits, and geese we brought home every hunting season? I don’t miss.”

“You can’t make me love you.” I raised my hand with the engagement ring. I’d left it on my bed at my mother’s house with my dress that day. “You tried that once already. Look what happened.”

“You cheated on me.”

“I never cheated on you, Sawyer.” I sighed and looked at him with pity. He would rather make me a monster than consider himself one. I wasn’t the one who killed Ray, set fire to a historical theater, or was involved in any of the incidents on this property. “I don’t know who told you that, but they’re a liar.”

Sawyer stared at me, as if finally—finally—taking in my words. It dawned on me then that I’d never actually found out who’d told him that. Who had lied about me, and why?

“Who was it? Who lied to you?” I stepped toward him, and he clocked it instantly. His eyes lit up in excitement, and it slightly sickened me. I realized then that I could manipulate this situation in my favor. If a little affection toward a man I no longer loved kept him from shooting me dead, I’d say it was okay.

Ash could be jealous all he wanted, as long as I was alive.

I needed to know who had been the one to cause my public humiliation that led to me leaving everything behind. Whoever it was had been so cruel and callous, they had no idea how much it changed my life. I’d been lost for so long, looking for something—someone—to pick me back up again.

Did this person know the damage they’d done?