Page 97 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

‘Stop staring,’ she said, keeping her gaze pinned to the rolling hills and lush green landscape bordering both sides of the highway.

‘I’m not staring, I’m looking for the turnoff. GPS says it should be somewhere around here.’

Piper grabbed my phone and I couldn’t help but shiver at the bandage on her hand where her IV had been.

‘Is that it?’ She pointed to a bright yellow sign with the words Changing Attitudes in block blue lettering. I slowed the car and made a turn on to an unmarked street. White wood fences lined both sides of the dirt road. In the distance two brown horses grazed in knee-high grass.

At the end of the long drive an old white farmhouse loomed ahead. According to the doctor at the hospital, the property had been converted to a private rehab facility five years ago.

‘I think you’re going to like this place. They have a lot of group and individual sessions, and there are horses for equine therapy.’

She stayed quiet until I pulled the car into an open space near the front door. I grabbed her suitcase from the trunk and followed her up a short set of steps. Rocking in the wind was a restored porch swing.

Piper glanced at her phone while I set down her suitcase.

‘We have a few minutes before I have to check in, want to sit with me?’

‘Sure.’ I pointed to the swing. ‘Should we give it a try?’

Her answer was to move to one side and take a seat along the painted white wood.

‘Thanks for looking after me these last couple of weeks while we waited for a bed to open. And for not taking me to San Francisco,’ she said quietly, her gaze moving around the property. ‘I think this is a better spot for me. Less temptation to run away. And you need to stay here for your work and Torran.’

‘This is a good place,’ I agreed. ‘I can come and visit whenever you need me.’

I hadn’t broached the subject of Torran with her. She’d asked too many questions, and I couldn’t tell her what an ass I’d been when I’d broken things off. How the pain in her eyes nearly brought me to my knees. But it had to be done. My life could only have a single focus now: getting my little sister sober.

‘I know I’ve already said this before, but I’m really sorry about the house. Being there, remembering the past, it shook something loose inside me. And when those guys started stealing and slamming those hammers into the walls, each blow felt like they were harming our parents.’ She gripped the edges of her skirt, her chin dipping down. ‘The memories of the house, our past life there was what drove me back to alcohol and drugs, but my time in Ivy Falls was also what forced me to recognize I need more help. Because, believe it or not, I do want to get better.’

‘I understand. We’ll get through this together.’

‘Will I have to answer more questions for the police?’

Her voice was so small, childlike, it ripped me apart.

‘Deputy Ben said he’d call if he needed more information.’

‘I can’t believe Manny and Torran didn’t press charges. It’s what I deserved.’

‘Hey,’ I said, squeezing her hand. ‘They care about you. Want you to get better.’

She bobbed her head and a single tear slid down her cheek. I pulled her into my side, trying to avoid her seeing the pain on my own face.

‘When are you going to patch things up with Torran?’ She shuffled her feet until the swing stopped moving.

‘What do you mean?’

She narrowed her gaze. ‘Are you a complete idiot? I heard you two screaming at each other outside my room at the hospital.’

‘I’m sorry. You weren’t supposed to hear any of that.’

‘Why? Because you didn’t want me to point out what a total jackass you’re being? Or that you’ve been lying about the fact that you bought the house for me?’

‘Can we please not do this now,’ I said, rubbing at my tired eyes. My sleep habits were even worse. Every time I closed my eyes now all I saw was her laying lifeless on the floor.

‘Yes, we will do this now. I’ve screwed up my own life, and I will not drag you down with me.’

I was happy to hear the fire in her voice but this was not the time to have this conversation. ‘That’s not what’s happening here. I’m shifting my priorities to help you.’