Lottie was clearly shocked. It was rare Spencer spoke of their parents. ‘What about her?’
‘She died.’
‘Oh.’ Lottie’s voice was small, unsure.
He waited for her to process the information. It hadn’t bothered him at the time, but it might her. ‘Cancer.’
She looked up from her plate. ‘I understand why you keep things like that from me, but I don’t appreciate it when you treat me like a child. You should have told me at the time.’
‘Does it make that much difference?’ He wasn’t sure why he’d said that, but it was out there now, hanging between them like a bad smell.
‘Of course it makes a difference. What if I wanted to go to her funeral?’
He glared her way for even thinking such a thing. ‘You wouldn’t have been able to. You were in hospital.’
Lottie flicked away some greenery on the table. ‘I might have wanted to send her flowers.’
Spencer’s blood started to boil. ‘Is that right?’
Lottie’s mouth gaped for a moment before she pursed her lips. ‘It would have been my choice to make. Not yours,’ she said, clenching her fists.
Archie murmured, and Spencer wondered if he could pick up on the adrenaline pumping, so he took a calming breath and met his sister’s death glare again.
‘I wouldn’t have,’ she added quietly, softening her features. ‘But it would have still been my choice to make.’
‘I understand.’
‘Actually, you don’t. You’re bossy, Spence, and always think you know what’s best, but you don’t. You don’t get to be in charge of what I should and shouldn’t know. It’s none of your business what I do about situations involving my life.’
Spencer controlled his sigh. ‘I was just protecting you.’
She scoffed. ‘From what exactly? I’m a grown woman, and my bio-mum died. Why do I need protection from that?’
‘I don’t want you to have anything to do with them. Not even knowing if they live or die.’
Lottie tapped her chest. ‘Again, my decision.’
‘If you don’t know, it doesn’t mess with your head.’
She leaned forward. ‘Don’t you get it? This is part of my life. I have every right to know what’s happening in it, good, bad, or downright ugly.’
‘It’s easier if you don’t think of them at all.’
‘For you,’ she said, shoving a finger his way.
Spencer glanced at his son. ‘Let’s not argue in front of the baby, Lott. He’ll pick up on negative vibes.’
Lottie shook her head. Clearly showing she still had the hump even if her voice was now calm. ‘Suddenly the expert?’
‘No. Not suddenly. Funnily enough, I discovered that snippet of information way back when you were his age.’ He let that sink in. Perhaps if she knew the half of it, she’d be a bit more understanding of why he felt the need to shelter her from the big bad world.
Lottie visibly relaxed in her wheelchair. ‘Look, Spence, I know you had it tougher than me, and I know you tried your best to keep me and Jordy safe, but you don’t have to do that anymore.’ Her watery eyes met his. ‘I’m safe now.’
Spencer attempted to swallow the lump wedged in his throat. It was easy for her to tell him to let go, but perhaps if he’d been a better big brother, Jordy would still be alive. He daren’t look down at Archie in case a tear escaped.
‘I’m sorry, Lott. I shouldn’t hide things from you.’
‘You’re the best brother anyone could ask for, Spence,’ she added softly. ‘But you have to let me deal withthemmy way.’
