to sit here for now.”
“Want me to help you push it off the road in case you don’t get back before dark?”
Skylar sighed, one hand on her hip. “If you don’t mind, that would be great. Let me go put it in neutral and release the brake.”
Together they pushed the truck to the side of the road, flattening a group of bluebonnets. Grace was surprised that they didn’t have more trouble moving the truck, considering Skylar wasn’t much bigger than Grace.
“There’s my brother.” Grace pointed at Chad’s rust-free Chevy pickup coming toward them. “I’m late. He’s probably looking for me.”
“You’re bleeding.”
Before Grace looked at Skylar, her eyes darted down to her arm. “Oh, it’s no big deal.”
Skylar walked closer, and she surprised Grace when she touched her arm. Grace flinched and pulled away. “How long have you been cutting?” Skylar asked.
“What?” Grace felt like her heart would pound out of her chest.
“You heard me. How long have you been a cutter?”
Grace picked up her backpack and swung it over her shoulder just as Chad eased up beside them. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Grace snapped.
“Sure you do.” Skylar blinked a few times as she took a deep breath. “Let me know if you want to talk.”
Grace watched Skylar shuffle down the road in her black army boots, but felt compelled to yell after her, “Don’t you need a ride?”
“No.” Skylar didn’t turn around.
Good. Grace was quite sure of one thing. She had no intention of talking with Skylar Brown about anything.
She crawled in the front seat with Chad, her bottom lip trembling as Chad yelled at her about being late and not calling. And something about Cindy having to leave early.
Grace hated to be late. Or to be yelled at. But she just sat there and listened without responding, gritting her teeth so hard her jaw hurt. Her head felt like a pinball machine, the balls bouncing around, slamming against the side of her brain. And her heart was pounding so hard, she was starting to feel sick to her stomach. Shut up, Chad! Just shut up!
She closed her eyes to tune him out, which was nearly impossible, but when she finally did, she envisioned the way Skylar had looked at her earlier—with pity in her eyes. The last thing Grace needed was for a girl like Skylar to feel sorry for her.
There is nothing wrong with me, Goth Girl.
Chapter Five
Darlene eased her chair away from the sewing machine in the corner of her bedroom. She’d taken her time altering Layla’s dress, being precise and extra cautious every time she touched it. Standing, she held it high above her head so the bottom wouldn’t drag on the floor. “Well, what do you think?”
Brad took off his glasses and placed them on top of the book he was reading before he shifted his weight in the bed. “Looks the same to me.” He grinned, having seen the dress several times already.
Darlene lowered the gown. “Oh, ha ha.” She carefully slipped it onto a hanger, hooked it on the closet door, and moseyed to her side of the bed. “I never should have agreed to alter that dress.” She climbed into bed, fluffed her pillows, and fell back against them.
“You’ve been sewing since I met you, and the dress looks fine.” Brad opened his arm wide, and Darlene snuggled closer. She’d already told him all about her day, heard about his, cooked dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, washed a load of clothes, and made sure all was well with the kids. She just wanted to close her eyes.
“I’m so tired.”
“Welcome to my world,” Brad said, yawning. “Are you sure you want to do this? Work full-time? I really feel like I have a partnership coming soon.”
Darlene kept her eyes closed as she spoke. She wasn’t about to tell him that she was missing her children. Brad knew her well enough to know it was true anyway, and she didn’t want to fuel his thoughts. This was something she needed to try. A small shot at some independence outside of wife and mother. “It’s not about the money.” Although the extra money would be nice. “I enjoyed today. It’s just going to take me some time to get used to being gone during the day.”
“I told you. Make the kids help out more.” He kissed her on the cheek. “They’re lucky to have you at that school.”
“Thank you.”
He pulled her closer. “Hey, now that tax season is over, let’s get away