Hosed (Happy Cat #1)(62)

“Cassandra Mae Sunderwell did not sabotage Sunshine Toys. I know that for a fact, and so should all of you,” Ryan announces.

There’s a murmur in the crowd.

“I’m standing here, on this side of the line, because I’m on Team Cassie. I believe in her. The sheriff doesn’t, but he’s wrong. And any of you who don’t believe her are wrong too.”

My hand flies to my throat, tugging at the neck of the tee shirt dress I threw on after I was released from the hospital. What the hell is he doing?

“I don’t care what you think of Sunshine Toys,” he continues, “if you’re not willing to stand up for one of our own when she’s being framed, then you’re not my friend or neighbor. So you can join me on Team Cassie, or you can be on the wrong side of history. Which is it going to be?”

“Is this really happening?” I whisper.

“I’ll be damned,” Gerald says while the people of Happy Cat all look at each other uncertainly.

Ruthie May’s about to tremble herself out of her shoes from the excitement. “He’s taking a stand,” she whispers.

“For you,” Maud adds. “You know what people love about Ryan? He never takes sides. He’s the guy who lives and let lives, who tries to make everyone happy.”

I blink.

“Who’s with me?” Ryan demands. “Who’s on Team Cassie?”

“I am,” Blake announces, stepping up beside him.

“Me too.” Jace joins Ryan as well.

“Me! Me!” Ruthie May dashes across the square, followed by Maud.

Gerald squeezes my shoulder, says, “I’ll never be Team Sex Toy Factory, but I’m Team Cassie,” and trails after his wife.

The teenagers who invented dildo ball trip over each other racing to Ryan’s side, and are soon joined by Olivia. Then Emma June and Tucker.

Then Savannah’s neighbors across the street.

Neil from the lab at the factory.

The farmer I accidentally christened with my chunk of sno-cone.

The couple who own the Kennedy Family Day School where I get my very favoritest coffee in the whole wide world.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” Ryan announces. His voice is steady, carrying across the square. “I’ll probably make a lot more. But I will never doubt Cassie again. She’s smart. She’s kind. She has the purest heart of anyone I’ve ever known, and even if she had burned that factory down—WHICH SHE DID NOT—she would’ve had a damn good reason for it. And any of you who don’t believe in her are no longer welcome at the annual O’Dell Halloween party.”

There’s a collective gasp, and at least fifty people rush toward the half of the square declared to be Team Cassie.

I swallow the lump forming in my throat, but I can’t stop the hot prick of tears stinging my eyes.

He’s staking his entire reputation on me.

Gordon the taxidermist strides across the square and ducks under the clothesline to join Ryan’s side. So does Carl, the crankiest old man in town twelve years running.

Some of the Sunshine Toys employees who haven’t been coming to work because they didn’t want to be photographed by the building march up to his side.

“You don’t have to like the factory to like Cassie,” Ryan says. “I don’t like Tucker’s loud-ass motorcycle, but I still like him. I don’t like Carl’s snappy beagle or the catfish at the place my parents made me go to every Sunday as a kid or how everyone in this town lives to be in everyone else’s business.” He pauses, his voice gentling. “But we’re neighbors. We’re friends, family. Or at least I thought we were. But if we, as a community, can’t embrace a woman as good as Cassie, then I don’t think I can be a part of it anymore.”

The Team Cassie half of the square is so full people are stretching the clothesline to fit onto that side.

I swipe my eyes, feeling both silly and overwhelmed.

Fool me once, I keep reminding myself as Ryan weaves through the crowd toward me. Fool me once…

Except I understand.

Ryan’s a protector, he always has been. He looks out for the people he loves, and the drama and danger at the factory have been a threat to the things he holds most dear.

And this is his home.

It’s been his home his entire life.

But he’s still willing to give it all up—home, family, his standing in the community. For me. For a second chance.

And you believe in second chances, girl, my inner voice whispers as he stops on the sidewalk before me. She may have gotten a little smarter since I first came to town.

“Cassie,” he says, my name a prayer on his lips. “I can say I’m sorry until the cows come home, and it still wouldn’t be enough to tell you how much I regret the way I acted this morning.”

I tuck my arms around myself and blink against fresh tears, looking over his head at the people in the square. Someone’s pulled up “We Are Family” on their phone, and other people are holding up lighter apps and swaying to the music.

This town is so…perfect.

Funny and complicated and, yes, awful sometimes, but also…perfect.

“Team Cassie!” Tucker hollers.

“Shush up so we can hear him, doofus,” Emma June hisses.

Ryan ducks his head and runs a hand over his mussed hair. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days. Apparently being estranged from each other for the morning has been as hard on him as it’s been on me.