Page 170 of Liberating Lily

Lily used to watch and wish she could do it as well, but she’d known her mother would never approve. And if she’d found out that Lily had been on that swing, Lily would have heard about it for months afterward.

“The tire swing,” she said. “It’s still here.”

Clem nodded. “Well, it’s not the original one. Jaret replaced the rope and tire. Apparently, the rope was fraying and dangerous. Who knew?”

Thank God for Jaret Malone. She had a feeling that her sister may not be alive without him around to keep her safe. But she wasn’t going to say that to Clem.

They walked closer to the tire swing, and Lily reached out to touch it. “I’m surprised that Chuck hasn’t eaten this.”

“Yeah, Chuck doesn’t go down here. He doesn’t like trees for some reason.”

That seemed odd, but what did she know about steers?

“Is it sturdy? Can it take my weight?” Lily asked.

“If it can take my weight, then it can certainly take yours,” Clem replied. “I’m going to have to feed you up while you’re here, Lily. You’re skin and bone.”

“Harvey’s been trying,” she said, not taking offense to Clem’s bluntness. “But I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”

Poor Harvey, he really had tried his best to feed her. He’d fussed over her so much. She’d never had that before. That level of care and attention . . . and she’d run away from it.

Was he worried about her right now?

Her stomach twisted.

She missed him so much. Missed his touch and attention. The perfect way he made her coffee. How he’d smile when he’d see her walking toward him. The care in his touch. As though he thought she was glass.

Yeah, she missed him so much that it hurt.

“I guess after everything you’ve been through, it would turn your stomach. Sorry, I wasn’t very welcoming when you got here, Lily.”

“I get it. I wouldn’t have been very welcoming to me either.”

“No, but I’ve always felt kind of guilty that I just left you with Harvey.”

“You don’t need to feel guilty because Harvey took really good care of me. He’s the best person I know.”

“Why’d you leave him then?”

That was a good question. Why would she leave someone like Harvey? Then she remembered. . .

“Because the very best person I know also deserves the very best in life. His sister was right. I wasn’t going to fit into his life. He needs somebody stronger who doesn’t need so much care and attention. He’s already had to spend so much time taking care of me. And he didn’t think I was strong enough to meet his family. Well, his sisters. I’ve met both of his brothers and his grandfather.”

“Yeah, what are they like?” Clem asked.

“Well, his oldest brother is very cold, but he’s got a real soft spot for women. His youngest brother is fun and clever. And his grandfather, well, he’s a grumpy old man.”

“I love grumpy old men,” Clem said. “They’re the best.”

“Jaret doesn’t seem very grouchy.”

“Did you not just hear him grouching about Piggy-Wiggy and her presents for him? He can be grouchy, although not as grouchy as some of his brothers. West Malone, now he’s a grump.”

“Do you get along with all this family?” Lily asked.

“Yeah, they’re great. The Malones are tight, a bit crazy. Some of them are completely wild. I appreciate that.”

Yeah, it sounded like Clem would fit right in.