Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,15

breath and let it out slowly, trying again. “I want to thank you for not just being a great sister, but for being my confidant. Looking back, I’m sure it was hard for you to hear my ramblings and not tell anyone.”

“Oh, honey. You know with my work I have to keep lots of things confidential. And the rest of the family understands. They’re just glad that you’ve been able to talk about the events that rocked you. And that you’re getting some help. And that you’re coming back to you. Or rather, not back…” Tara corrected, her smile soft, “…but that you’re coming into a newer, healthier you.”

Her jerky nods continued. “Yeah, that’s what I’m aiming for. I want to talk to the family sometime.”

“Oh, Erin, I think that’s wonderful.”

Tara’s voice carried such relief that more guilt shot through Erin, hating how she had poured her soul out to her sister, knowing she wouldn’t tell anyone but instead would carry the tale deep inside herself.

Drawing a ragged breath, she said, “I’m not sure I know how. Everyone together? God, that seems so melodramatic.” Groaning, she rolled her eyes at the idea of a huge family meeting where she tried to explain how loss stole her away.

“But do you feel like having the conversation over and over?”

Seeing the wisdom of Tara’s question, she held her sister’s concerned gaze and slowly shook her head. “No… you’re right. I can’t imagine doing that.”

“From my perspective, I think it would be easier to do it at one time. Everyone together. You know the family loves you and will support you. But why don’t you talk to your counselor, and get their perspective—”

“I have.” Seeing Tara’s raised eyebrows, she rushed to add, “That was her suggestion, too, but I wanted to hear your opinion. I trust my counselor, but you’re my sister. You know all the players in the game.”

“Sweetheart, I’ll support you however you want to do this. But if you decide on a family meeting, then you just let me know. I’ll be right there, holding your hand the whole time.”

She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and smiled. The two sisters stood, arms around each other, offering and receiving the kind of hug that feeds your soul. Stepping back, they both had tears in their eyes and laughed.

“I’m going to head home. Tell Carter and Colleen I said goodbye.”

“Are you sure you won’t stay for dinner?” Tara asked as they held hands, walking toward the front door.

“Thanks, but no. I’ve got some studying to do, but I’ll let you know when I’m ready to talk to the family.”

Another hug ensued, this one more lighthearted. Now, driving home, Erin caught a glimpse of a man running along the sidewalk and couldn’t help but swing her head around to see who it was. As she passed by she saw it was someone she didn’t know, but the image of Torin settled firmly in her mind and a little smile curved her lips. Watching the sun as it dipped into the horizon, she felt as though she could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

5

The Celtic Cock closed at midnight every night, even on weekends. Many other pubs and bars in Hope City stayed open later, but Torin and Maeve cared about their employees getting home, plus they made enough money that they didn’t need the extra hour of serving drinks. Since he closed most evenings, Torin was glad he lived above the pub, usually allowing him to be in bed by one a.m.

Now that he’d started running early every morning, he was also glad he could function on only about five hours of sleep. He had never needed a lot of sleep. Even as a child he would get up and play quietly in his room, not waking up his parents. Once tired again, he’d climb back into bed. In later years he would sit up and read, sometimes for hours, until he was sleepy again. In the military, a full night’s sleep was a rarity anyway, something that some of his teammates struggled with but was never a problem for him.

Now, in the early morning, his feet pounded the pavement as he ran the few miles to get to the track. Once there, he didn’t even pretend that he wasn’t looking for Erin. While the early spring mornings were still cool, after the long winter more people were out enjoying their exercise. The number of

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