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“You’d better make sure you know exactly what she wants before you let her see him.”
“I’m not stupid, Adam. Henry’s offered me free legal advice for as long as I need it.”
“Henry Parker?” Adam asked.
“The only lawyer in town, yes.”
“That’s good.” He sighed. “You really doing okay?”
She considered that, pausing almost as long as he did before she answered him. “In a weird way, I’m glad I’m finally reaching some kind of resolution about this matter. I want Roman to know his family. If they can overcome their dislike of me to offer him their support, then I suppose that’s a good thing.”
“You’re a strong woman, Lizzie Taylor.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed hard. “I’m just doing my best for Roman.”
“You sure you don’t want me to come and see you tonight?” he asked abruptly.
“No, because I’ll probably cry all over you again, and you’ll get fed up with me.”
“I won’t.”
“You might,” Lizzie replied. “And I don’t want Roman to see me upset.” She hesitated. “When you’re with me, I can be my real self, you know?”
“There’s no weakness in crying, Lizzie,” Adam said. “Sometimes you just need to let it out.” He paused. “Let me come over. I can just hold you.”
Lizzie blinked back the tears forming in her eyes, and focused hard on the back door of the kitchen. “I’m okay, really. Why don’t you come by this weekend? We can take Roman out for ice cream or something.”
His silence this time was so long that she thought she’d lost the connection.
“Okay, I’ll do that, but call me if anything happens.”
“I will.” Lizzie clutched her phone hard. “Thank you. I’ll speak to you soon.”
She ended the call and just sat staring into space, carefully gathering her defenses again. She wanted to drive up to Miller Ranch, grab hold of Adam, strip him naked, and hide under the covers with him. But she also wanted to be strong—to be the woman she’d had to become rather than relying on someone else.
“Wow, Lizzie, that’s a pretty specific fantasy you’ve got going on there about Adam Miller’s bod,” she murmured. “Like you have plans for all that glorious naked flesh. But you’ve got to get through this yourself. It’s not fair to drag Adam into your mess.”
“Talking to yourself again, my friend?”
Lizzie spun around to see Yvonne advancing toward her, two trays balanced in her hand. She hastily pinned on a smile.
“Just giving myself a little pep talk.”
“You okay?” Yvonne studied her carefully.
“I’m just”—Lizzie waved her arms around—“getting by, doing my best, being an independent woman, and definitely not letting you down.”
“I don’t feel let down.”
“Yay me!” Lizzie gave a halfhearted fist pump. “I’m just sorting through a few things with Roman’s father’s side of the family. Once all that is straightened out then things will be great.”
She’d recently told Yvonne the whole story about Ray just in case Miranda decided to have a word with her employer.
“Ray Smith is Ro’s father, correct?” Yvonne set down the trays and leaned against the edge of the table. “Was that his mother who came into the café yesterday?”
“Yes. She’s not very fond of me.”
“Then she’s a fool,” Yvonne said firmly. “Does she want to see Roman?”
“I think so.”
“Well, about time, too.” Yvonne checked the clock. “Are you okay to start now? I’ve got to go over the wedding menu with Della again today. She’s due here in five minutes.”
“I’m good.” Lizzie put her cell away and went to find her apron. “Give Della my best, won’t you?”
* * *
Adam picked at his food as he fought the urge to ignore Lizzie’s earlier call and just turn up at her place. He was damn sure that she was upset. Everything inside him wanted to get out there and help her.
