AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s not my decision to make.”
Rita rolled her eyes. “I didn’t ask you to decide. I asked what you thought. Then I’ll decide.”
Kit’s lips twitched. God, the girl reminded her of herself at fourteen. “Then, yes. I do. Your mom was amazing, I know, but after her, you won’t find better parents than Harlan and Betsy. And adoption gives you a sense of permanence. Of truly belonging forever. Five stars, would totally recommend.”
“I knew you’d say that. Dr. Sam said the same thing.”
Kit sucked in a breath, caught off guard.
Dr. Sam.
Sam Reeves, psychologist with a heart of gold. The man Kit had been avoiding for six months. He was a good, kind man and he liked her.
Which terrified her.
“Oh?” Kit managed. “When did you talk to him?”
Rita’s mouth curved slightly, as if she’d been expecting Kit’s reaction, the little stinker. “Last week after I freaked out about the adoption thing. I called Dr. Carlisle, my normal therapist, but she was on vacation. Dr. Sam was her backup. He helped. I was ready to tell Mom and Pop yes on the adoption, but then I ran from my party and…” She shrugged.
“You thought they’d change their minds? Honey, if they didn’t change their minds about me, they’ll never change their minds about you. Trust me.”
“Okay. I will. Trust you, I mean.” Rita stood resolutely, brushing the tears from her face and the hay from her jeans. “I’m going to have cake. Then I’m going to say yes to adoption. Then I’m gonna have a life.” She opened the stall door, then paused, looking over her shoulder. “Dr. Sam is really nice, Kit, and he asks about you every time I see him. You should date him. Five stars, would totally recommend.”
Then she was gone, leaving Kit staring after her.
The clearing of a throat had Kit looking up into the eyes of her father. “She’s right, you know,” Harlan said lightly.
“Leave it, Pop.” She was not discussing her love life—or lack thereof—with Harlan McKittrick. “Were you standing outside the whole time?”
He shrugged. “You told me to give you five minutes, so I only heard the last part of what you told her. It was good advice, Kitty-Cat. Thank you.” He extended a hand, pulling her to her feet. “Let’s have some cake.”
Kit took a last look at the names carved into the wall. Wren McKittrick and Katherine Matthews. “I miss her, Pop. Wren.”
Harlan kissed the top of her head. “So do I. But she’s watching, Kit. And she’s proud of you. And you were wrong about something. You were kind back then. You were scared and kept people at arm’s length to keep from being hurt, but you were not unkind. I’ll never forget the night I discovered two little runaway girls in my barn, huddled under a scratchy saddle blanket, trying to get warm. You jumped to your feet and put yourself in front of Wren, your little fists raised, ready to fight.”
Kit smiled at the memory. “You were so tall, and I was so scared.”
“But you were going to protect Wren. You always put her first, Kit. Always.”
Kit’s smile faded. “I didn’t protect her when she needed it most.” When Wren had been snatched off the street by a killer who’d left her body in a dumpster, like she was trash. “I was supposed to keep her safe and I didn’t.” And that would haunt her forever.
“Would you hold Rita responsible for her mother’s death?” Harlan demanded.
“Of course not. She’s just a—”
Harlan’s brows lifted. “A child? Like you were back then?”
Kit narrowed her eyes, but she had to respect how neatly he’d maneuvered her. “Fine. Point made.”
He smiled down at her. “Rita thinks she wants to be a cop.”
Kit sucked in a breath. “I thought she wanted to be a veterinarian.”
“Nope. She wants to be just like you.”
Kit shook her head. “That’s too much responsibility.”
Harlan chuckled. “Live with it, girl. And maybe consider the example you’re setting when you hide from nice men who want to date you because you think they deserve better, when they couldn’t get any better than you.”
