harder than any of the fights we’ve had in the past. Even harder than saying let’s get divorced. Is it because it feels like the end is near?
This is different from anything I’ve ever told her. I wish I could tell her that I still love her. I’ve loved her from the moment she looked at me wearing those ugly Snoopy scrubs. That I love her even more because she loved me regardless of my fucking flaws.
She just said it. It’s time to heal and let everything go.
So, I clear my throat. “Afterward, I want to be able to call and ask how you’re doing. That you know you have a friend who will bail you out of jail if you try to steal a horse because he was mistreated,” I joke to lighten the atmosphere. “Maybe you’ll be one of those moms who send pictures of their kids every day to their friends. I want to be the recipient of those texts.”
Before she says anything, I leave the car and head to speak to Easton Rodin, the contractor, who assures me that everything is ready. He gives me a quick tour and shows me the coop that Blaire built. Buster and Daisy catch up with me. I show them the barn. There’s a special place for them in case they want to be with the other kids.
Hopefully, no one at the house will have a problem with them. They are house dogs, and even though I know it’s a terrible habit, they sleep in my bed. While I continue talking to Easton, they stay around, sniffing the place. I ask him to build an indoor and outdoor arena. He promises to send me a quote later today.
When I come out, I spot Blaire hugging Leyla.
We walk toward them and say, “It’s ready. We’re going to unload the horses first. Do you want to do it, Leyla?”
She nods, waves at Blaire, and runs away.
“Is the house ready?” I ask Blaire.
“Not just yet,” she responds. “The beds should be arriving today. Dishes, small appliances, glassware, and all that stuff should be here tomorrow. I can get you a couple of rooms at The Lodge. We can move in on Saturday.”
“That sounds good.” I turn to where Leyla is, and I say, “I’m heading to The Lodge so I can join a conference call. After that, I have to fly back to Colorado. I’m leaving the truck and taking one of the cars that we have in the garage. Could you keep her company? She’s pretty independent, but this town is new to her.”
“She’ll be fine,” Blaire says reassuringly.
Maybe she will, but it hurts leaving her until next week. It sounds stupid because I abandoned her a long time ago, but I’ve always had that need to protect her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Pierce
When I arrive in Denver, I take an Uber to the house. I want to close up the house as early as Monday so I can be in Baker’s Creek by Tuesday. My gut tells me I shouldn’t have left. Leyla doesn’t do well outside her comfort area. At least she didn’t when we were together. It feels like an entire lifetime has passed since then.
While I’m packing some of the things I want to take with me, the phone rings. It’s Leyla.
My heart stops. Something happened to her. Ally escaped and they can’t find her…who is hurt? I shouldn’t have left her.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. You should ask your mom,” she says, and I hold my breath.
She knows. I don’t have confirmation about the adoption agencies, but she probably got ahold of someone, and she’s going to think I did this.
“What are you talking about?” I play dumb and swear this is the last time I do it, probably.
I just need to buy some time to figure out how to convince her that I have nothing to do with what happened to her applications. Not that I have any proof or…do I really need proof?
It’s pretty clear. One application lost is an accident, all of them tell me there’s someone behind this mess. Not all the agencies have a correlation with my family’s law firm. However, my family has a lot of connections, and they can fuck up everything for her.
“Let me guess, your mom told you she was supportive about the move,” she continues. “Not only that, but she’s helping you pack as we speak…while she’s fucking the rest of us.”
“What the fuck, Leyla?” No really, what is she talking