Mother’s intuition.
“Things have been better.” He leaned back in his chair.
“Oh no. Is Sophia okay?”
“She’s fine. She got into some trouble at school, and she snuck out the other day while I was at work.”
Kayleigh chuckled. “Ah, the teenage years. I remember thinking I knew everything back then. Guess I didn’t turn out to be the best example.”
She wasn’t the only one. They’d grown up fighting their own battles—just in different ways. Far from what was portrayed in television and movies, and not worth reminiscing on.
She sighed. “What exactly has she done?”
Liam gave her the rundown of the last few days, his own failures weighing him down. He’d failed Kayleigh.
“I wish I was there.” She sighed.
She wasn’t the only one. He was used to dealing with hardened criminals, not a hormonal teenager. “Maybe you can call her tonight and talk to her?”
“I will. Enough about Sophia. How are you holding up?”
“We got moved in and settled in the house, and the job transfer went off without issue. I did have to help with a fugitive apprehension on my first day, but since then, it’s been court and my other duties.” He picked up a pencil and started tapping it on his desk.
“That’s good, buthoware you?”
“Kayleigh, I’m fine.”
“It’s okay to admit you’re not fine. Your life has been turned upside down because of me. You’re suddenly a parent, thrust into raising a teenager. You didn’t even get the fun parts.”
“I was there for some of the fun parts,” he countered. He’d made sure to see his sister and niece several times a year.
“It’s not the same.” A sigh came over the line.
The phone beeped, and a mechanical voice advised she only had five more minutes on her card.
“I’ll get you some more minutes.” It was the least he could do.
“Thanks. Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.” He meant it. He would do anything for her.
“I’ve been going to Bible study,” she said after a beat, almost shyly. “Trying to figure this whole faith thing out. For the first time in a long time, I’ve got a little peace. Took me coming to prison to find it.”
Liam’s gut tightened. He was glad that she had found Jesus, even if it was behind bars. “I’m proud of you, sis.”
“I know I’ve asked a lot in the past several months.”
“Kayleigh, I’d give my life for you. You know that.”
She took a deep breath. “Please forgive me,” she said quietly. “For being an idiot. For thinking I was untouchable. I know what my choices did—to you, to Sophia. I can’t fix it from here, but I can start trying.”
Emotion clogged his throat. “Kayleigh, if anyone should be apologizing, it’s me. If I had just taken the blame for wrecking Dad’s car…maybe your life would’ve gone differently.”
She let out a short laugh. “What?”
“You took the fall. That was the start of everything. If I’d let him take it out on me?—”
“Liam!” Her voice cut sharp. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. I was already heading down the wrong path long before that night. You didn’t break me. Life did. Choices did. But not you.”
