Return to Cricket Springs: The Cricket Springs Series, #1

By Lee Warren

Sawyer Brice has moved on from the secret she kept from her first love. She set him free ten years ago to find what he really wanted. She has a successful business and a boyfriend who treats her well. What more could she want?

Cash Langston left Cricket Springs, Nebraska, ten years ago, promising himself he would never return after Sawyer broke his heart with no explanation. He went on to pursue a travel writing career and found contentment.

When Sawyer's mother, Norma, dies, everything changes. Wanting to pay his final respects to the woman who meant so much to Cash when he was dating Sawyer, he returns to Cricket Springs for her funeral and comes face to face with Sawyer, and ultimately, her stubborn refusal to reveal her secret.

When a job opportunity in Denver opens up, Cash plans to accept it. Will Sawyer finally reveal the truth and get a second chance with him? Or will Cash leave Cricket Springs, never to return?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Warren
• Release date: Oct 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215340585

Lee Warren

Other Titles by Lee Warren  In This Series Mercy Inn: A Christmas Novella (The Mercy Inn Series, Book 1) Comeback: A Mercy Inn Series Short Story Essays Common Grounds: Contemplations, Confessions, and (Unexpected) Connections from the Coffee Shop Sacred Grounds: First Loves, First Experiences, and First Favorites Higher Grounds: When God Steps into the Here and Now Devotionals and Gift Books Single Servings: 90 Devotions to Feed Your Soul Fun Facts for Sports Lovers  Inspiring Thoughts for Golfers Racin’ Flat Out for Christ: Spiritual Lessons from the World of NASCAR The Experience of Christmas: Devotions & Activities for Families Finishing Well: Living with the End in Mind (A Devotional) Flying Solo: 30 Devotions to Encourage the Never-Married Writing Write That Devotional Book: From Dream to Reality Write That Book in 30 Days: Daily Inspirational Readings You can find out more about Lee Warren’s books here: http://www.leewarren.info/books Subscribe to Lee’s email list to receive a FREE copy of his Finishing Well: Living with the End in Mind devotional e-book. You will also receive notifications about discounts on his newest books, and become eligible for random giveaways. Sign up here: http://www.leewarren.info/email-list Follow Lee on social media: https://www.facebook.com/leewarrenauthor https://twitter.com/leewarren Visit Lee’s website: http://www.leewarren.info

Book preview

Prologue

Ten Years Ago

I’m sorry, Cash.

That’s it? No reason?

Someday, I hope you’ll understand.

Cash Langston stared across the Clearfield High School parking lot toward the football field. None of this made any sense. He and Sawyer had been together since sophomore year. And while they’d had their share of disagreements, he’d never felt like they’d come close to breaking up. Things had been good between them in recent months. They’d just graduated from high school and were jumping into their summer plans. She was going to work in her mother’s flower shop. And he was going to write for the town’s newspaper while picking up a few odd jobs to earn some extra cash. He’d even begun to contemplate asking her to marry him. And now it was over? Just like that?

Is there someone else? he asked.

Nothing like that. Sawyer’s blue eyes dulled.

Then what?

She chewed her bottom lip and stared at her lap in the passenger seat of his car. This is killing me, Cash. You have no idea. But I can’t go into any detail.

He snapped his head around. "Can’t? Or won’t?"

I really can’t right now.

If not now, then when?

I don’t know.

Cash put his car in reverse and calmly backed up. It’s now or never.

Sawyer’s silence told him all he needed to know. He put his car into gear and headed for her house, hoping to avoid Norma, Sawyer’s mother, once they got there. She’d start asking questions. And right now, he wanted to get as far away from Sawyer as possible. Besides, Sawyer clearly didn’t want to be with him. What else was there to know?

They pulled into her driveway, and Cash waited for her to get out of the vehicle. He had nothing else to say. No more questions to ask.

Sawyer hesitated while her hand remained on the door handle. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I love you with all my heart. And I always will.

His heart grew cold. You won’t have to worry about bumping into me around town.

Sawyer’s eyes widened. You’re leaving? Where are you going?

Cash shrugged. How does it feel to wonder? He knew his decision was impulsive, but he’d never been more sure of anything in his life.

Her eyes misted over, and she got out of the car. She sprinted toward the front door, never looking back.

Cash shook his head. What just happened? He needed a plan. He checked his savings account balance on his phone, knowing he had plenty to get out of town and start a new life somewhere else. He’d been doing odd jobs for years, always being faithful to save a little with each payment he received. After his mother passed away a few years ago, his dad drank most of the family money away. So he’d known for some time he couldn’t depend on anyone else.

When he got to his house, he stuffed as many of his clothes into a duffel bag as would fit. He scanned his room, choosing a few personal items to shove into a box, including the study Bible his mother had given him with his first name in gold lettering on the black cover, a framed picture of his mom, his laptop, chargers, and some toiletries.

He hadn’t seen his father in days. The man hadn’t even bothered to show up for Cash’s graduation. He was on an extended bender somewhere, no doubt. If he couldn’t bother to be a dad, Cash didn’t need to worry about leaving a note to tell him he was leaving. Besides, his dad would be happy he left.

Cash took one last look around the room for anything else he might need. His eyes stopped on a recent prom picture with Sawyer. Her smile lit up the room as she leaned her head against his shoulder. He shook his head, leaving the photo on his dresser. He didn’t need any reminders of Sawyer Brice. It would be hard enough to get over her without staring at her image every day.

After he packed, he started his car, pulled away, and jumped onto Highway 92, heading east without even thinking about where he was going. He just needed to be far away from Sawyer and his father. He’d heard someone on the radio recently say the cost of living in Arkansas was low. It was as good a place as any to start over as he tried to establish his freelance writing career.

He’d need to think of a pen name and change his phone number. The last thing he wanted was for Sawyer to track him down. He picked up his phone and dialed his phone carrier, asking for a new number. He pulled over at a gas station when the customer service representative was ready to give it to him. He jotted it down and thanked her. While he was there, he gassed up and cleaned his windshield. He’d be on the road all day, which would give him time to work out more details.

One thing was certain—he’d never return to Cricket Springs. He’d keep in touch with Tony Marconi, his best friend, and swear him to secrecy concerning his whereabouts, but that was it.

After paying for his gas with cash, he slipped back into his car. His phone company had said his new number would be active within the hour. He tried going online, and it worked, so he closed his email account and opened a new one, making himself inaccessible to Sawyer and giving himself the clean break he needed.

He wouldn’t think about the why of his breakup with Sawyer. It didn’t matter. He’d just drive himself crazy. She’d acted like a martyr—as if she were making some huge sacrifice for him. He slammed his palm on the steering wheel. She was probably on the phone right now with one of her friends, playing the victim—telling her everything she wouldn’t tell him.

It was fine with him. She could keep her secret. He reached for a CD and cranked the volume as Understand Your Man by Johnny Cash played—a song about a man who didn’t look back as he left.

Chapter 1

The minute Sawyer’s eyes fluttered open, they filled with tears. She wished she could go back to sleep. It was the only time she’d felt relief in the past three days, and she knew this would be the worst of the three.

She rolled out of bed and stared at the modest black dress she’d hung on her closet door the night before. How could her mother be gone? She’d retired less than a year ago, leaving the flower shop to Sawyer. Her mother, Norma, was supposed to enjoy her golden years. She was supposed to be there for Sawyer to lean on for advice, to cheer her on at the flower shop, and one day, to see her get married. But cancer doesn’t care about any of that.

Sawyer glanced in her bathroom mirror and ran her forefinger over the bags under her eyes, which were still puffy from crying throughout the night. No amount of makeup would fix it. She closed her eyes, rested her hands against the bathroom sink, and sighed. She still had so much to do. She wanted to call the flower shop to make sure Jen hadn’t been overwhelmed with all the flower orders for the funeral. She needed to pick up her Aunt Rose from the airport in Lincoln. And Ted, the funeral home director and mayor, had asked her to arrive two hours early to go over last-minute details.

She slipped into the shower and rested her forehead against the wall as the warm water ran down her back, wishing the heaviness of the morning could be washed away. Memories of her mother flashed through her mind. She smiled as she remembered the way her mother had picked her up after the first day of kindergarten and offered to take her for ice cream. She winced as she remembered how it felt to be dumped for the first time when she was in the fifth grade. Her mom came into her room that night and held her as she cried. And Sawyer would never forget the day her mom handed her the keys to The Flower Basket and told her the place was hers. She’d known it was coming. They’d been talking about it. But holding the keys was a different story.

Sawyer had just sat down at her vanity to apply her makeup when her phone rang. Jen? What’s wrong?

Everything’s fine.

Spill.

Nothing’s wrong, but my goodness, your mom was a popular woman. We’ve had so many last-minute orders.

Do you want me to stop by on the way to the funeral home?

No, no. I just wanted to check on you.

Sawyer paused for a few seconds. If I can be honest, and I know I can, this is the worst day of my life.

Oh, girlfriend. My heart hurts for you.

Thank you.

You’re surrounded by people who love you. We can’t take away the pain, but we can walk through it with you.

It was a nice sentiment. And she knew her circle of friends would indeed show up. She had incredible people surrounding her. She’d met Carrie, Danielle, and Jen in grade school, and they’d been her lifeline ever since. And she’d met Lori, her neighbor up the street, a couple of years ago, and they’d become close. Lori had moved to Cricket Springs after her divorce, looking to start over. They met at the gas station one day and started chatting. Before long, they’d struck up a friendship. Sawyer babysat Lori’s two children, Kayleigh, who was eight, and Ben, who was four, whenever Lori needed a sitter. And now, Lori fit in nicely with the rest of the group.

I know you will. I wonder if Cash knows? Have you … received an order from him?

He placed an online order yesterday, Jen said.

Tony must’ve told him.

Do you think he’ll show up?

I have my doubts.

Well, listen, you have a lot to do this morning. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to give you a quick call to check on you. I’ll see you at the funeral home.

Sawyer ended the call and glanced at the time on her phone. She hoped her aunt could go straight to the funeral home with her. She’d mentioned that possibility on the phone the other night when she broke the news to her, but Aunt Rose’s recent dementia diagnosis already seemed to affect her recall. Sawyer had noticed brief gaps in her memory when they video chatted a couple of times each month. Thankfully, she had Uncle Howard to care for her. But he wasn’t able to come because he was still recovering from ankle surgery.

An hour later, Sawyer weaved in and out of traffic as she neared Lincoln. It was 7:30 a.m., so everybody was rushing to work—going on with their lives as if it were just a normal Tuesday. Her eyes teared up, and she dabbed them with the Kleenex she’d wadded up in her hand. There was no sense in putting it away. She’d been crying since the minute she woke up. And as soon as she saw Aunt Rose, the waterworks would begin again. Probably worse, depending on how Aunt Rose reacted when she saw her.

Sawyer pulled into the airport parking garage and glanced at her phone, making sure she hadn’t missed a call or text from her aunt. Nothing so far. She had received a text from the airline, though, letting her know Aunt Rose’s plane was on schedule. She took a seat by the baggage claim and got lost in memories of her mother once again.

It’d always been just the two of them. Her father left just days after she’d been born. When she was seven, her mother sat her down to let her know her father had passed away. But she hadn’t felt a thing for the man who didn’t care enough to stick around or contact her even once after he left.

* * *

As Cash got closer to Cricket Springs, Nebraska, he ran through several scenarios in his mind.

He preferred the first one. Sawyer would see him walk into the funeral home, smile at him between her tears, then wrap her arms around him as they shared a moment to honor the woman who’d been like a mother to him.

The other scenarios seemed more likely. One included Sawyer’s boyfriend standing by her side and glaring at him, seeing him as a threat, which would lead to tension. The worst-case scenario would include Sawyer being indifferent to his return. But why did that matter to him? It’s not like he still had feelings for the woman who’d ended their relationship ten years ago.

He’d nursed his wounds for a year, but anger replaced his pain when his best friend Tony Marconi told him she’d moved on with someone else. And he’d kept in touch with Norma via email, so he knew she had been in a couple of relationships since then. And from what he’d heard, Sawyer was with a new guy now. Their time together felt like another lifetime.

The sign for Cricket Springs said he was just two miles away. He knew this lonesome stretch of Highway 92 like the back of his hand, so he didn’t need a sign to tell him he was close. He let out a breath, turned off the radio, and prayed.

Lord, you know how I felt about Sawyer. You know how difficult it was to put my life back together after she ended things. I promised myself I’d never set foot in this town again. But I want to honor Norma. I don’t even know what I should ask you right now. I only know that my gut hurts. I guess I’m just going to ask that you watch over Sawyer today. She’s going to be in so much pain. Remind her that you’re walking through her darkest day with her. And Lord …

He couldn’t even finish the prayer. But he knew he didn’t need to. God knew his heart, even if he couldn’t express it. Cash’s pulse quickened as he neared the funeral home. A man in a vehicle coming from the other direction waved, as was the norm for small towns, and Cash waved back. The funeral home’s parking lot was full, and that was saying something for a town of 280 people. It seemed like all 280 might actually be in attendance.

The clock on his car’s dash said he had twenty minutes before the funeral started. He’d cut it a little too close. But that was by design. The later he arrived,