His Pretend Wife. Lisette Belisle

not angry—I’m confused. Why did you do it?”

      She shrugged. “Because you asked for my help. I know that sounds odd, but everything was happening so fast. I didn’t have time to think. I just got carried along with the situation.”

      “What are your parents going to say?”

      “They’re away at the moment.”

      “That will buy you time, but nothing else.”

      Apparently, Abby had more pressing concerns. “Is everything the reporter wrote true?”

      “More or less.” Wrongly accused, he’d spent three years in prison before he was cleared of all charges. However, he’d left something behind in prison—his youth, his faith in the goodness of his fellow man. And his belief in tomorrow.

      Abby frowned. “You never committed any crime. When you first arrived in Henderson, why didn’t you explain?”

      “Because no one asked.” Jack hoped she’d take the hint and change the subject. He’d spent time in prison—end of story. Almost. Eventually, he’d been set free—with apologies from the prosecutor, but nothing else. Well, sorry didn’t win back your self-respect or hand you a job. Shackled by the bitter memory of a friend’s betrayal, Jack was free of all emotional ties and determined to remain that way.

      “You met my brother in prison. Drew made some mistakes, but he’s made up for them. I’m very proud of him.”

      “He’s a good man.” Jack wondered where this conversation was going. As far as he could tell, Drew had turned his life around after his release. In quick order, he’d married, settled down and reopened the sawmill. With Olivia firmly in his corner, he was earning the respect of the townspeople who still doubted his sincerity. And his commitment. In some ways, the jury was still out when it came to Drew Pierce. He’d come a long way from the spoiled careless playboy in Jack’s estimation. Prison could make or break a man. As Gran would say, “the same fire that melts butter forges steel.” Jack frowned, wondering if the same could be said of him.

      Abby continued. “He’s worked hard to turn his life around.”

      Ah—so that was it. Jack smiled wearily. He’d arrived in Henderson with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove—to himself. Drew Pierce had owed him a favor and given him a job on a logging crew. Before the accident, things had been working out. That was then, this was now. Now, more than ever, Jack couldn’t lower his guard and let people close—Abby topped the list. “You were afraid I’d drag him down again.”