“I agree. And it doesn’t hurt to drink it looking at this view.”
I raised my gaze to the expanse in front of us. Forest that dropped off so you could see the land go on forever. Ranches and farms. The lake and the rolling hills. I’d missed it, this view. When I moved to the city, I’d missed the peace it had given, the knowledge that I was so small in the grand scheme of the world. “I’m glad to see it again.”
Julia raised her glass towards the fields dotted with cattle and some horses and pointed at a cluster of buildings we could just make out. “That’s our ranch. Been in my husband’s family for generations.”
I’d always wondered about the people who lived there. What their lives were like. Did their dad wake them up at all hours for training, to prepare for an attack that he was sure was coming? Were the kids who lived there allowed to go to school? “I didn’t know that. I always wondered growing up.”
Julia looked in my direction. “How has it been, being back?”
Something about the warmth in her tone had me wanting to spill all my secrets and pain. To lay them at her feet and ask if she could heal them. “It’s been…what I expected. I know this town doesn’t want me here.”
“Oh, hogwash. I’m this town. I want you here.”
“You can’t. Not really. I know that what Hayes said is true. I bring up bad memories for all of you.”
Julia took my hand and squeezed hard. “Yes, bad memories are bound to pop up. But you’re also a reminder of my best memory. Being reunited with my girl, my family whole again. You gave me that.”
The back of my throat burned. “I’m so sorry for what he put you through. I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to come sooner.”
“Oh, Everly. No. That is not yours to take. You were a baby yourself. And so incredibly brave. I thank God for you every night.”
A single tear slid out of the corner of my eye. “How’s she doing?”
“Shiloh’s good. She’ll always be a little different. I won’t lie. That experience and everything that came after, marked her. She hates attention and marches to the beat of her own drum. But she’s happy. Loves helping Gabe and me run the ranch. Has a real gift with horses.”
“I’m glad she’s okay.”
Julia patted my hand and released it. “Me, too. She’ll probably come up here before long. I get the sense she’s curious about you.”
“She’s welcome anytime.” I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see that little girl grown. But I needed to. There were things I needed to say. Words similar to what I’d given her mother, but different, too.
“Shy will be glad to know that. And I know Gabe would love to officially meet you, too. Hadley, as well.”
I couldn’t help but notice that she’d left off Hayes and his older brother. I guessed those two weren’t Team Everly. But, honestly, four out of six was way more than I thought to have.
Julia seemed to read my thoughts and gave me a sad smile. “Beckett’s in Venezuela right now, treating patients and likely driving his motorcycle on crazy mountain passes. And Hayes…it’s not you. He blames himself for Shy’s kidnapping. And he’s turned that into this need to protect us all.”
“He blames himself?” I couldn’t put that together. He’d barely been a teen at the time.
“He was supposed to be keeping an eye on her. He turned his back to play one of those Duck Hunt games, and when he was done, she was simply gone.”
My chest constricted, empathy curling around my heart that I didn’t want to feel. It was easier to think of Hayes as a jerk rather than someone trying to protect his family and shouldering baggage that wasn’t his to carry. “I’m sorry he’s going through that.”
Julia’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I am, too, but it doesn’t give him the right to be an ass.”
I bar
ked out a laugh. “It wasn’t that bad.” She arched a brow. “Okay, it wasn’t good.”
“That’s what I thought. I’m sorry he hasn’t treated you fairly. He’s got a good heart in there, and once he pulls his head out, he’ll see the light.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I wouldn’t give voice to my disagreement.
“So, tell me what your plans are for this place?”
I traced a design in the condensation of my glass. “I’m creating an animal sanctuary.” I didn’t say “I wanted to” or “I hoped to,” because failure wasn’t an option. And not just because it had been the last thing my mother had asked of me, but because I needed it, too.
“What a wonderful idea. Even though you’re on the mountain, you’re low enough to have some good grazing spots.”