Tina turned on the tap and ran herself a hot bath. She climbed in the water, cupping some and splashing her face before she submerged, thinking about what had just happened. She supposed soon everyone would know about Grant and that woman, Shelly. Gossip like that was far too juicy and scandalous not to get out. Hell, Shelly would probably help to spread it around. It would only serve her purpose to pressure Grant into ‘doing the right thing’ and marrying her as soon as possible. The talk would be all about the mighty Rutledges and Grant. Tina pictured little old church ladies with their heads bent together, murmuring their disapproval. One would say “I always knew that boy was nothing but trouble,” and the others would nod their heads and make sympathetic sounds about how disappointed his parents must be. No one would stop to think about the fiancée who had been devastated. Tina was just an inconsequential detail to the story. She was a newcomer in Mercy anyhow. She had lived here almost a year, and people had begun to know her name, but she kept to herself. She didn’t let anyone in, didn’t let anyone get close. That is, until she met Grant…

She soaked in the water and let its heat calm her down. She got out when the water began to cool and dried off, then went into her bedroom, put on her plain white nightgown, and lay down. She felt exhausted, and surprisingly was able to drift off to sleep in minutes.

She woke later to a persistent sound and sat upright, startled. The room was dark; she had been sleeping for hours. Tina quickly turned on the light and listened. The gentle knocking that had woken her up repeated.

“Tina?”

It was Grant. At least he’d had the good grace not to barge in to her bedroom. Tina got up and stood close to the door, hesitating about opening it.

“What do you want? Why are you here?”

There was a pause. “I brought you your purse. You left it at the house. Can I come in?”

“No. Please just leave, Grant.”