“She feels a measure of that relief, too, so don’t feel bad there.”
It helped to know that. “Can I do anything?”
“Not right now. I’ll text you tomorrow and let you know.”
“Okay.” My fingers tapped out a rhythm on the side of my thigh. “And you didn’t say anything to Mom or Dad?”
“No one knows yet. But that won’t last, Shy. I have to tell them tomorrow.”
“I know. But it’s family dinner tonight, and I don’t want to deal with…” My words trailed off. I was unsure of a kind way to put it.
“I get it. I do. Get clear tomorrow morning, and I’ll tell them then. If you come back after lunch, they’ll have had some time to process.”
“Thanks, Hayes.” My throat burned. My brother was the best. Even amidst everything I’d put him through, he still had my back.
“Anytime. Love you, Shy.”
“Love you, too.”
I tappedendon the screen before he could hear the emotion in my voice. I sank onto the stool. My hand trembled as I set the phone down. One more day.
One day before my mom started hovering. Checking up on me every hour on the hour. I felt the itch to pack my camping gear and simplygo. Get lost in the mountains for a week with nothing but me, Sky, and that hit of freedom that only came with expansive vistas and winding forest trails.
Instead, I forced myself to stand. I shoved my phone into my front pocket and pulled on my jacket. The sound of laughter hit my ears as I opened the door.
“Not too many carrots,” Hadley instructed Birdie.
Birdie grinned up at her. “Treats are the best part of the day, Mom.”
Hadley ruffled the little girl’s hair, and my heart squeezed. Calder’s twin daughters had officially become hers when they married months ago, and I knew she never took one of thoseMoms for granted.
At the sound of my footsteps on the stairs, her gaze, so similar to my own, lifted. “Tell Birdie she’s going to give River a stomachache.”
I smiled at Birdie. “As long as you don’t mind cleaning up his poop, you can give him as many as you want.”
Birdie scrunched up her nose. “Ew, gross.”
Her sister, Sage, laughed softly as she stroked Sky. “Told you.”
I moved to the stall, giving my mare a scratch behind the ears. “Taking good care of my girl?”
“I only gave her one carrot,” Sage assured me.
“Goody Two-Shoes,” Birdie muttered.
“Birds,” Hadley said in a warning tone.
“Yeah, yeah. No mean names.”
“And?” Hadley prodded.
“Sorry, Sage.”
“Apology accepted,” Sage answered. “Even if she didn’t mean it,” she added more softly.
I chuckled.
Hadley simply rolled her eyes heavenward. “Let’s get inside. Grandma said dinner’s almost ready.”