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“This is trouble,” Aurora said when the last entry in the paradetrouble Tell me the whole story Why did you—”

Winona walked away “I’ll talk to you later, Aurora,” she tossed over her shoulder

By the ti to avoid the gossip on the streets She jumped into her car and drove out to Luke’s house He would be the only person ould understand and appreciate what she’d done She found hi on his porch, staring out Cuts and dried blood marked his left hand

“Hey,” she said

He barely acknowledged her, just tilted his chin a little

She sat down on the seat beside hiht now It was the same pain she’d felt since he first turned to Vivi Ann “I’m here for you”

He didn’t answer, didn’t even look at her, and so about that made her nervous

She started to put her arm around him “It’s all for the best, really If she didn’t love you, you had to know that Now you can go forward”

He pushed her arm away

“Luke?”

“Why did you tell me?”

“What? You had to know What she was doing with thatI kne hurt you’d be”

“Exactly” He got up and walked over to the porch railing, putting as much distance between them as was possible With his back to her, he stared out at his land

“It’s notwith him I didn’t cheat on you and break your heart What she did rong Of course she got caught I’ to help you Look at me, Luke”

He didn’t turn around “Just go, Winona I can’t talk to you now”