Page 59 of Secret Sins

"I can't tell you what to do, sweetheart. That's a decision you have to make on your own. But what I can tell you is that my daughter is tougher than you might think. She can deal with whatever it is, and maybe she can help you heal."

"God, she's helped me so much already that I feel like such a selfish bastard—sorry."

"Don't worry about me, Van." Patting my back, she said, "Have you considered therapy?"

"I had therapy in prison." And medical treatment after my masculinity was stolen. "I can't say it helped."

With no one to blame for the way the system sucked, I was left blaming myself. Losing self-respect, dignity, and plenty more.

"Taking care of the threat looming over your head might help ease your mind. And there's always the water. You might be surprised how freeing the ocean can be."

Bailey had said much the same once, but she'd also talked about how it could steal your happiness from you in an instant. "I'm just scared, Riley. Terrified of losing her, of losing this town, and the contentment I've finally found."

"My sweet child, you can't lose us. You may not realize it, but you're embedded in this town as much as we are in you. It's how we work around here."

"Thank you," I whispered. I had nothing else to say for the moment.

"Since I try to be honest in my life, I need to disclose to you that Bailey called me the minute you left Bookish."

Of course, she did.

"She's concerned about you, but she didn't explain what happened between you. There was mention of a man . . ."

"I didn't see him, so I don't know who it was." Some sick, twisted fucker looking for me by stalking Bailey would be the end of me. There's no way I could handle the threat to her, and I would have to leave. That was the last thing I wanted. "I hope it was a fluke."

"As do we all." Spreading her hands over the back of a goat who nibbled the grass close to our feet, Riley hummed for a second. "Bailey respects you."

Out of everything, why did that shock me to the core? Why did that send tears to my eyes, just when I thought I'd rid myself of them? "God, why? What respectful thing have I done?"

The goat climbed into Riley's lap, and she winked at my frown. "My daughter doesn't kiss and tell, Van, but there are some things a mother knows without being told. You treat her with respect, and she reciprocates those feelings."

Oh my Lord, she knows I've fucked her little girl. "Ms—Riley—I—"

"Too late to get flustered now. I know you're knockin' boots, and that's okay. You're both full grown, and you're careful. Right?"

Shit. Fuck. "Yes, ma'am." I felt like a randy teenager getting a talking-to about condoms and pregnancy scares from his first girlfriend's parents.

"My point is, she loves you no matter what. If this issue takes a while to sort itself out, she'll still love you in the end."

And all the tightness in my chest loosened. "I feel like I've stumbled onto a miracle."

"I'm pleased your feelings are aimed at my youngin'. She deserves a man like you."

"Doesn't she deserve someone better than me?" I mumbled.

"Nope." At her succinct reply, I glanced over. "You're perfect for each other. Don't forget that."

"How can I repay your kindness, Riley?" I had nothing. Nothing to give, nothing to show for myself. One woman already accepted that about me, and now I was asking her mother to be okay with that too.

"Lord have mercy, sweetheart, I'm not kind to people because I expect reciprocity."

Nodding, I said, "That blows my mind, I suppose. Where I come from, every deed—good or bad—was accounted for and paid back in the same manner. We only get what we deserve."

"And you, my sweet boy, deserve the same happiness as everyone else."

Shoving myself to my feet, I looked down at her. "Can I have another hug before I leave?"

I felt stupid for asking, but she smiled so brightly, nudging the goat away and accepting my outstretched hand. As though I was doing her a favor and not the other way around, she hugged me tight enough and long enough that I almost thought all my troubles could fade if we stood there for another minute.