She softens her voice. “We’re worried about you.”
I look at her and force a smile. “You don’t need to be.”
“Yes, we do.” She takes a step closer. “Skyler is worried. Bree is worried. I’m worried. We all know something is going on.”
I look down at the broom in my hands. “Penn and I are just having some problems.”
“I figured,” she says.
“We’ll work it out,” I say quickly because I need it to be true. “Every couple goes through things, right?”
“Right.” Lindsey nods, but she doesn’t look convinced. “But that doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone.”
I swallow hard and start sweeping again. “I’m not alone.”
“You’re acting like you are. I know I’m sort of new to the family, but I love you. You’re one of my best friends, and I hate to see you sad like this.”
The words hit harder than I expect, but I don’t say anything. I’m afraid if I do, the tears will start to fall.
Lindsey sighs. “I’m not trying to push. I just want you to know that if you need to talk, I’ll listen.”
I nod and whisper, “Thank you.”
The room goes quiet except for the broom moving across the floor, then Lindsey says, “You know Penn would never cheat on you.”
My head comes up fast. “What makes you say that?”
She gives me a look. “Aria, this is Whiskey Run. Everyone talks.”
Heat rushes into my face. I knew people at the hospital have been talking about Penn and Nurse Jenner’s lunch, but I had no idea that everyone is talking about it. Heck, that my sister-in-law would hear about it.
“I heard about Penn eating lunch with some nurse,” she says. “I’m not saying I know the details, and I’m not saying it didn’t hurt to hear it, because I’m sure it did. But it doesn’t mean anything.”
I let out a breath that sounds shaky even to me. Last night convinced me that he wouldn’t cheat on me, but now this morning, I’m second-guessing everything again. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
I stare at her.
Lindsey folds her arms over her chest. “Anyone and everyone knows Penn Brody loves you.”
My eyes sting, and I hate it. “Love isn’t always enough,” I whisper.
Her face falls a little. “No, it’s not. But it matters.”
I look toward the window, even though I can’t see the barn from here. “He’s hiding something from me.”
I wait for Lindsey to say something, but when she doesn’t, I keep going before I lose my nerve. “He admitted it. He actually told me that there’s something, but he won’t tell me what it is. So I’ve been left to guess.” I laugh once, but there’s nothing funny aboutit. “And when your husband won’t tell you what he’s hiding, your mind goes to some pretty awful places.”
“I get that,” she says quietly.
“I don’t want to think he’d cheat on me. I really don’t. But what else am I supposed to think when he keeps pulling away from me and won’t tell me why?”
Lindsey walks over and takes the broom from my hands before I can argue.
Then she hugs me. I stand here stiff for about two seconds before I fall into her arms.
“I’m scared,” I whisper.
