Page 50 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

‘Yes. I’m happy their anger with me hasn’t rubbed off on Tessa. She doesn’t deserve that.’

The heartbreak in her voice had me inching closer to her on the carpet. Part of me wanted to stand up and call out everyone in the room who was not subtle about giving her the evil eye. She was working her ass off to make this town better. Yes, she’d made a mistake, but the hard work and sacrifices she was making in Ivy Falls showed her loyalty to every single person who cared about her.

Torran had that special knack like her mom. In her presence she made you feel strong, nearly invincible at times. It made my blood boil that none of them could see her love and commitment to this community.

I pulled in a low breath, calming the angry thud of my heart. Her hand was laid out flat on the rug and every inch of me ached to reach out and touch her. I’d finally got up the nerve when two little girls buzzed across the carpet toward us.

‘We’re so glad you’re here, Auntie Torran,’ said the littlest one with blonde pigtails.

The other little girl, who had hair the same reddish shade as Tessa’s, nudged her sister out of the way. ‘We agreed in the car I could sit next to her.’

‘How about I move back and you can sit on either side of her?’ The two girls stared at me with wide eyes.

‘Who are you?’ The blonde little girl placed her hands on her hips, demanding an answer.

‘This is Beck. He’s helping me with the new house.’ Torran scrubbed the blonde one’s head. ‘This ball of energy is Rose.’ She turned warm eyes on the other little girl. ‘And this beauty is her older sister, Iris.’

Rose still eyed me like I was an uninvited guest at this party. ‘I thought Mr Manny was your helper?’

‘He is but Beck grew up in the new house. He wants to make sure it’s pretty again.’

The explanation seemed to be enough for the girls because they forgot all about me and asked Torran a dozen questions about the house, including if she was going to put a pool in the backyard.

‘A pool? I don’t think so,’ she replied.

Iris turned her big blue eyes on me. ‘You need a pool. It’s hot here in the summer.’

‘I’ll definitely keep it in mind.’

She gave me a wide smile that mirrored Torran’s and I swore I could feel my heart swell in my chest.

Since my parents passed, I’d never given much thought to my own future. With Piper in and out of rehab, I couldn’t allow myself to think beyond the next day or week. But with these two girls snuggled up against Torran’s side, it was easy to consider what my life might be like if she gave me a second chance.

Tessa sank into an oversized red chair at the front of the room. In a corner, hovering in the shadows, Miles Wright watched his youngest daughter read about Harold and his walk in the moonlight. His lower lip quivered and his watery stare darted between his daughters. Torran focused on her sister like she was willing her to get through the reading.

To most people this would have seemed like any other story time, but beneath the surface all three of the Wrights were struggling with this moment. I gazed around the room seeing touches of Torran’s mom everywhere. I couldn’t help but wonder if it pained Tessa to come here every day and be constantly reminded of her grief.

Manny’s daughter, Lou, snuck in and found a place on the carpet next to the little girls. Torran’s gaze never moved from her sister as she inched back next to me. Manny stood near the fiction bookshelves. His attention was locked firmly on Tessa. Every move she made, how she slowly turned the pages, or leaned down close to speak to the kids circled around her feet, made him grin from ear to ear. There was something else too. It was as though the firm way he held his hulking body was suddenly relaxed and calm.

He certainly had feelings for a Wright sister, I’d just stupidly guessed the wrong one.

As Tessa’s voice continued to explain Harold’s journey, Rose crawled into Torran’s lap. The little girl popped a thumb into her mouth and eased back into the warmth of her aunt’s arms.

This life suited Torran. Having her own business. Taking care of her family.

It made me question if she’d ever let me back into her life. What could I offer her anyway? I was married to my work and in a constant state of panic when it came to my sister. I lived off frozen dinners, beer and sports when I wasn’t at the office until the late evening.

Torran, on the other hand, had proven she could take care of herself. She had a business and a solid group of family and friends supporting her. Of course she’d had some missteps like the video, but in typical Torran fashion she’d come back stronger than ever.

Everything inside me screamed that I should walk away, not screw with her life, but I was tired of being alone. I wanted a partner to fight with and make love to. Someone who’d call me on my shit and not be afraid to upend my world. I didn’t have to look far to know who that girl was. She was sitting right next to me smelling like fabric softener and tangerine shampoo.

Tessa finished the story and the crowd gave an appreciative clap. We stood and the girls ran toward the shelves with all the picture books. Torran’s dad made a beeline for her and I took a quick step back.

‘It was nice of you to come and support your sister today,’ he said to Torran like he was trying his best to keep his voice soft.

‘Tessa and the girls know I will always be here for them. That I won’t disappear when they need me most.’

‘I’m trying to do the same.’