Golden sunlight streamed through my window, announcing another picture-perfect day for the little town of Lockwood.

Although beautiful, I winced at its intrusiveness. Pulling my covers above my head, I hid from it, hoping it would disappear... just like my problems.

Urgh! Sadly, that wasn't an option.

Why come back? You know why, for Maddy.

Sometimes I wished I'd never come back at all.

A pain shot through my chest. I didn't mean that. I would have never met Adam, and a hundred Cooper Stanton's couldn't make me give up the time we've spent together.

Turning my head, it was just coming up to five-thirty. Maybe go back to sleep? It had taken till two this morning to drift off with everything playing on repeat in my head.

Grumbling, nature called as I pushed up and flung my legs over the side.

Nature satisfied, I turned on the faucet, looking in the mirror. "What a sorry sight you are Riley Jo." Staring back were puffy eyes from crying and crazy bed-head hair.

But fixing all that wouldn't be too much of a struggle. My problems, however, well, that would take more than a little concealer and dragging a comb through my hair.

Maddy.

My stomach rolled around like tumbleweed in the wind. Hurting my sister was the last thing I would ever want to do.

My stomach did another roll...Oh, hell... I dropped to my knees and leaned over the toilet basin, heaving until my stomach eased.

Great, now I was sick on top of everything else. Could my life get any worse? Dragging myself up, I turned on the faucet and rinsed out my mouth, whilst my hand blindly searched for my toothbrush.

Ewe, I stood upright having found it, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth.

I couldn't be sick, not today.

Brushing my teeth, and my stomach settled somewhat. I showered and dressed, deciding before I did anything I would lend an ear from the one person I trusted about all else in this town.

Connor Jackson.

His pearly wisdom and sharp lawyer mind would help me sieve through this pile of craziness without heartbreak, bloodshed or loss of job.

I pulled on my pumps and looked for my phone.

Ah, there! Poking out from underneath the pillow. I'd hoped Adam might call, or at the very least message. It stung that he hadn't. I thought we'd shared something amazing yesterday... before it all went to hell.

Dr Wiseman. Cooper's words washed through my head, delivering a punch to my stomach.

Women like you Riley Jo are only good for thing.

Perhaps he was right. Someone like me would never be good enough for the likes of Dr Adam Matthews. He was handsome, brilliant and everything I wasn't.

Who was I but Riley Jo Lockwood? The fatter, less pretty daughter of the Lockwood girls.

Creeping downstairs. The smell of fresh bread wafted from the kitchen; Stella was always up at the crack of dawn. I found her bent over the stove, pulling out a loaf of bread. "Smells mighty good down here, Stella."

She didn't turn. "Sit your ass down child, and I'll serve you a slice with my best butter."

My mouth watered. But I didn't have time to sit and eat, not this morning. "I don't suppose you could cut me a slice to go. I need to catch Connor before he heads out to work."

Turning, she placed her loaf down and removed the oven-mitten. Looking up, she eyed me suspiciously. "Are you well, child? You're as pale as a glass of milk."

True, I was feeling a little off, and the knot the size of Texas in my stomach wasn't helping much either.

"Yeah, I'm good Stella, I'm just tired, that's all."

"Ah-hu." She huffed, raising her brow. Lifting the bread pan lid, she already had one cooled loaf ready to serve up. "You want some jam with your bread?"

I shook my head. "Nah, good with just butter."

She reached for the bread-knife and cut me a slice, well more like a slab than a slice, but I wasn't complaining.

"I don't want an argument Riley Jo, but you're gonna sit your ass down on that stool" She pointed. "And eat and drink sumthin' before you go runnin' out of here." She waved the knife. "Not having you leavin' this house looking like you're about to faint, child."

There was no point in arguing. Stella may have looked meek but she could bring down a Texas line-backer with her sharp tongue. I headed to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice, grabbed a glass, and sat my ass down.

"Here." She pushed the plate toward me.

I grinned, tucking in. "Hmm, delicious."

Stella made herself busy whilst I ate. "I hope you didn't let those dumb words of your mama's affect you none, Riley Jo."

I stopped chewing. It wasn't her words; it was who she'd said them in front of. That's what hurt.

Stella carried on. "I don't know what got into your mama last night. God love her but she could give the devil a run for his money." She huffed. "She was nothin' short of a bitch."

My eyebrows shot to the roof. "Stella!" I choked, spluttering as she came around the counter and slapped me on the back.

"Don't you go wasting my bread, child."

I swallowed the chunk of buttered bread with a slow gulp. I couldn't believe she called my mama a bitch! I'd never heard Stell utter a curse word my entire life.

"I'm only sayin'... I think she was possessed last night." She stopped patting my back and rubbed in circles. "I'm telling you this as someone who loves you, Riley Jo. Do not believe a word of it."

My stomach clenched tighter than a fist as I jumped from the stool and wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you, Stella."

She squeezed me. "I think Nana Em dropped your mama on her head when she was little." She edged back, cupping my cheeks with her warm hands. "You're beautiful on the inside and the outside."

My cheeks warmed under her hands. "Now, eat and drink some more."

She set me down, and I picked up my glass of juice. "Can I take some with me?"

"One slice or two?"

"Just one, please." I sat sipping, watching her cut another slice.

"You know that doctor friend of yours?" Was she talking about Adam? "The handsome one who fixed up your foot at the barbeque."

I kept my face blank. "Yeah, Dr Matthews—what about him?"

"He looked awfully upset after you left last night."

Yeah, so upset that he left with the beautiful Dr Wiseman. "My mama's ranting no doubt made him uncomfortable."

"I thought for a moment he was gonna throttle your mama and head out after you."

Warmth spread through my chest. "But then that other doctor—the lady doctor, she asked him to take her home."

Cooper hadn't lied.

"He looked none too pleased about it though."

My heart leapt. "Oh?"

She tossed me a smile. "I think he might be a little sweet on you."

Someone may as well light a fire on my face. It burned hotter than sizzling oil.

Stella continued. "Heard he lost his wife awhile back."

I distracted myself by taking another sip. "Yeah, Emma."

She looked on thoughtfully. "God has a plan for us all Riley Jo, you do well to remember that." She wrapped the slice of bread. "You should call in on him and check he's okay. I'm sure that will settle him some."

I double blinked. Was Stella trying to set me up with Adam? "I'm sure he knows lots of people who can help him feel better." Dr Wiseman.

"I've no doubt. But no one could put a smile on a man's face or warm up their heart better than you." She gave me a hard stare. "You hearin' me, child?"

Wow. I nodded trying to keep my curb my excitement and a stupid grin from my face.

She brought over a wrapped slice of bread, holding it out for me. "Thanks Stella," I wasn't talking about the bread.

"Go on now. You need to be quick sharp if you plan on catching that boy, Conner."

I jumped from the stool. "If you see Maddy, can you tell her I took her car and should be back by eleven."

"Ah-hu."

Arriving at Connor's, he opened the door before I knocked. He sure looked smart dressed in his finest pants and a white crisp shirt and shiny shoes. "You scrub up real nice, Connor Jackson."

"I do, don't I?" he answered with a cheeky grin. "I'm due in the courthouse this afternoon. Gotta look my best."

Damn, I should have called him first. He didn't have time to listen to me and my problems.

The smile on his face fell, replaced by a frown. "Riley, why are you here so early? What happened?"

Before I could assemble an answer, the floodgates opened, burying my face in my hands, rambling unintelligibly.

Connor wrapped me up in his arms, my face pressed into his chest, his familiar scent seeping into my lungs, comforting me.

"Jesus Riley. Talk to me." His hand stroked down my back.

He led us inside. Stepping back; my face wet with tears, I tried to smile. "I'm sorry to just turn up like this. And you're ready for work." I swiped my hand across my damp cheeks. "You need to go. This can wait."

He dipped in his pocket, pulling out his phone. Firing off a message, he threw it on the sofa. "I'm not in court till two and for you Princess, I have all the time in the world. Now sit your ass down and tell me what the fuck's going on?"

Max wandered through, stopping dead. "Shit, what's happened?" His eyes played tennis between me and Connor. "Has someone died?"

I blinked up at him, and a tear fell from my lashes.

"Is this private? Do you need me to leave you two alone?"

Darn, Max was so sweet. "No, you might as well hear this too and help me decide what to do?"

I sat down and Connor sat next to me, with Max remaining standing. Silence expanded as I felt Connor place his hand on my knee. I hadn't noticed it was bobbing up and down with a life of its own.

"Shit, Riley tells me what's going on, you're worrying me," begged Connor.

Take a gulp of air. I spilled the whole sordid affair.

The second I'd finished, Connor shot up from his chair as Max straightened his shoulders. "I'll kill the bastard for touching you." Fists clenched tight. "Red-neck had no right—no fucking rights at all!"

"That boy's as dumb as a sack of rocks, he needs a boot up his ass." Growled Max with Connor nodding.

I shot up, grabbing Connor's wrist. "No, please. It's not the reason I told you." My eyes pleaded. "I won't have you arrested. He's not worth it." I sighed. "I can deal with him; I need to know what I should do about Maddy."

I dropped his wrist as he stood, regarding me thoughtfully. "Princess, you have no choice. You gotta tell her."

Fear twisted in my chest, wringing a sharp whimper from my throat. Max nodded in agreement. "What about Adam? This could ruin him." The sinking, sick feeling returned.

Connor shook his head. "Listen." He sat down and pulled me down next to him. "If you tell Maddy, and then his dumb ass says anything about the doctor." He lifted my chin. "You just say he's lying And who's gonna believe a snake like him, anyway?"

Was he right? Would that work? "You think?" A bittersweet flutter teased my heart.

He smiled, sliding his arm around me, pulling toward him. "Yeah, I think it might." He paused. "But if it doesn't, Adam's a big boy, and nobody forced him to go home with you that night or continue what's going on between you now."

"He's been through so much, Connor and I don't want him to lose his job, because of me."

"We can figure that out if it happens, Princess." His hand rubbed up and down my arm. "Let's deal with one thing at a time, yeah?"

"Still think it's better if you let me at him," chimed in Max, who looked paused for a fight. And there was a small part of me that wouldn't mind seeing Cooper Stanton get his ass handed to him.

"No, we focus on Maddy. We can't let her marry him. It will be the biggest mistake of her life tying herself to that bottom feeder," said Connor.

He wasn't wrong. "I know what you're sayin' is right, but what if she doesn't' believe me?"

"There're rumours," interrupted Max.

Connor stilled as I pulled back. "Rumours 'bout what?"

"He's been fucking around in the next town over."

"Why ain't you told me this before—or told Maddy?"

"A little thing called proof, Princess. All whispers and hearsay." Connor added. "And you know the Stanton's have the town under their thumb."

"Boot... under their boot," corrected Max.

Shit, shit, shit. He wasn't wrong. The Lockwood's and the Stanton's ran this town.

Having left Connor and Max, I diverted toward Adam's home, telling myself I was only dropping by to say hello and not check up if he was with that lady doctor friend.

My heart dropped when his car wasn't in the drive and I knew he wasn't at work till after twelve today, and it was barely past ten. Why wasn't he home? I sat outside like some crazy stalker for a few minutes, wondering if he was with her?

I scolded myself. And what if he was Riley Jo? It's not like you're dating or he promised you anything? The man is free to do as he pleases.

I grumbled, putting the car into drive and headed back home. Maddy should be up and hopefully my mama would be out doin' whatever it is she does.

Almost home, I eased back on the accelerator when I saw a woman walking along the dirt pathway. It was rare for someone to be this far from town.

Was that? No, surely not. I pulled up alongside the woman and opened the window. "Dr Wiseman?"

She turned, smiling brightly, pushing her hair from her face, bending slightly to look inside the car. "Oh, hello. It's Riley - Riley Jo, isn't it?"

I returned her smile. "Yes, Dr Wiseman. Are you headin' to see my Mama?"

She shook her head, "No, just picking up my car." Her eyes looked around Maddy's car. "Adam took me home last night." She returned her attention to me. "He's such a sweetheart."

I didn't like how she said sweetheart. "And you walked all this way to get it?" I didn't know where she lived.

She laughed. "No, I had removals here this morning, and they offered me a lift, dropped me near to here and I was fine to walk the rest of the way." She blew out a breath. "It's not too warm yet, but I imagine in a few hours it will be another scorcher."

I considered driving off and letting her walk the rest of the way, but my mama raised me right. "Jump in, I can drive you the rest of the way for what it's worth."

"That's sweet of you Riley. Thanks." She opened the door and slid into the seat, dropping her bag on her lap. Buckled up, I drove on. "It's really quite beautiful out here, your family is so lucky."

"Oh, I don't live here, Dr Wiseman. I'm only back for my sister's wedding." There was no harm in small talk and perhaps if I got to know her, then I might warm up to her."

"Oh, yes, Adam mentioned it... sorry Dr Matthews." She corrected with a hint of something I didn't recognise.

Did they talk about me last night?

Her slim fingers fiddled with the handle on her bag, but her attention was on the outside world passing us by. "Yes, he talked about you quite a lot."

Talked about me—last night, in her house... her bed? Quit it Riley Jo!

"You should call him this morning, let him know you're alright."

My stomach swirled with a nasty mix of fear and self-loathing.

Dr Wiseman turned to me, her gaze measuring. "He felt so sorry for you." Her brows arched. "... after last night."

Sorry... for me? Why did that sound worse than being upset? The last thing I wanted Adam to feel was sorry for me... pitying me. Christ, I felt sick again as an urgency to get home and out of this car flooded my body, making me tighten the grip on the wheel.

Dr Wiseman continued, oblivious to my discomfort. "I don't think there was one person around that table who didn't pity you last night!"

I could see the entrance to our drive. "Almost there."

She continued. "I know I did. To discuss your weight issues at the dinner table like that." She sighed. "That was very thoughtless of your mother."

The woman didn't know when to quit. Aim and reload, why don't ya? "Here we are." I said tightly, putting the car in park.

Shit!

My phone, which was plugged into the charger—lit up. It was Adam. It caught Dr Wiseman's attention. Thankfully, I'd had the common sense not to use his actual name, although Sexy Doc might not be enough to disguise him.

Fuck! Face flaming, I scrambled, picking it up, silencing it.

"Don't you need to get that?" Her voice was sickly sweet.

"No, it's good. I can call them back." We both got out of the car.

"Well, here's my car. Thanks for the ride. It was lovely seeing you again Riley Jo."

I lifted a hand to wave, forcing myself to smile. Next time, you can be sure to walk! "Anytime, Dr Wiseman."

Starting toward her car, she stopped and twirled around. "You know Riley Jo, and this might not be my place to say, but I think it might be best if you stopped helping Dr Matthews."

I met her stare, my entire body stiffened. What the? "Why?"

"If your mother catches on, then Adam could find himself in trouble."

She knew? What had he told her? Playing dumb. "Why would Dr Matthews get into trouble? I'm not following you, Dr Wiseman."

Her mouth curled upward. "You're not fooling anyone, Riley." I swallowed. "You have a crush on him."

"What—Did Dr Matthews say that?" I tried not to sound rude.

She shook her head. "No, and Adam's a gentleman and doesn't want to hurt your feelings." She paused. "I've known Adam for a long time. And I shouldn't tell you this, but we dated back in college."

My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach. I was right to think there was a history between them.

"Perhaps you need to focus on your sister and the wedding." She waited for me to say something. "I can help Adam with anything he needs."

Yeah, I bet she could.

She glanced at her watch. "Oh, look at the time. I have a busy day and need to find my way around your cute little town, especially since I'm cooking tonight. I'm making Adam one of his favourite dishes—he loves Chilli, did you know?"

I shook my head, hoping the smile on my face didn't crack.

She lifted her bag, opening and rummaging to pull out her key. "Thanks again for the ride."

I stayed in the same spot, watching her get in her car and drive away... taking my hope with it as my lashes lowered and the ache in my chest expanded.