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Both men chuckle. “It’s been a while, sis, and we’ve gathered a good clientele of famous people who like to come here to get away from the press and escape the hassles of the world and media scrutiny. We do try to maintain a level of formality if you get what I’m saying. No fangirl moments.” Hudson’s gaze narrows in on me.
I huff. “Yeah, I get it. I can be cool, calm, and collected. I hope…” I throw a sideways glance to Hudson, who shakes his head, folding his arms across his broad chest.
“Come on, I’m sure the girls would like to see you. Mabel is in town getting supplies, so we can surprise her when she gets back.”
My stomach drops. I left Olive in town. I thought for sure they wouldn’t be in town. I hope Isla hasn’t gone out.
“Hey, Dee, are you all right?” Harley gently grabs my arm.
Nodding, I attempt to shake the fear away. “Yeah, sorry. Just switched off for a split second. Mabel is in town, got it. Where are Talulla and Sybil?”
Hudson answers as he pats a horse that’s being led past us. “They’re up at the house. Talulla has a therapy session shortly, and Sybil is probably rebelling somewhere. Do you remember your hate-the-world-and-everything-in-it stage?”
How could I forget? “Oh, to be twenty again and put you all through hell,” I joke.
“I think you’ve already done enough of that,” Dad’s familiar yet monotone voice says from behind me. A stab of hurt runs through my heart like a red-hot poker. My face heats and tears sting my eyes. Turning around, I face my father.
“It’s good to know you’re still being a jerk,” I berate him. My body trembles and I want so badly to yell at him, but I won’t do it here. I was hoping to avoid this kind of confrontation, but his words sting, so I lash out. “And you wonder why I stayed away so long, Dad. You… this?” I wave my hand between us as my voice shakes. “I had hoped you would be past it all, but I guess not. I was planning on staying, but now I’m not so sure I want to. Not with this icy welcome from you.”
I turn and stride out the barn door before he even gets the chance to reply. I didn’t come here to relive that damaging time of my life. I’m already carrying a weight on my shoulders they all know nothing about.
THE DIRT CRUNCHES UNDER MYshoes as I walk away from the barn and Dad with his hurtful words. I head back toward the main homestead—the family home. It’s an expansive stone and brick building with a large patio with white beams and a fern hanging off every wooden post. It still looks good. I have so many memories within those walls—good and bad. The good outweighs the bad, but still, the hurt is simmering. It will boil over if Dad keeps pressing my buttons.
I stop in front of the house and stare at the closed screen door. Familiar voices filter out—probably Sybil and Odette since Mabel isn’t here. Perhaps I should leave. It’s clear Dad isn’t keen to even try to fix things. I might be stirring up too many ghosts and hurtful things from the past that should stay buried. I need my family, though, even if Dad isn’t on board yet. Time is what’s needed to heal old wounds.
I take a step back, and large hands catch my arms.
“You do realize you can go in? It’s your home,” Harley says gently and gives me a soft nudge toward the door.
“I’m not so sure anymore. Dad doesn’t want me here, and for all I know, neither does anyone else.”
Harley comes around and stands in front of me. His eyes bore into mine. A hint of anger and hurt radiate from them. He grips my arms again. “Don’t think like that. Hudson and I know we were major douches when everything blew up. We sided with Dad without even thinking about you and what you might have been going through. We’re genuinely happy to see you.”
His words mean so much to my fragile heart. I needed to hear them spoken by family. If he knew the dark place I’ve been these past six months, he’d know they hold so much power for me in this moment.
Olive is my main reason for living. If I didn’t have her, I’d have had nothing worth fighting for on my deathbed almost a year ago. “Harley…”
“No, no more. This is your home, and you’re welcome back here any time. You need to be here, sis. I can see it in your eyes. The last few years haven’t been kind to you. No one else will probably see it, but I do. I learned to read you a long time ago. You were happy with Eli, and I saw it. When you’re ready, I’m all ears. No judgment.” He pulls me into his arms, and we stand there for a moment. Harley’s hugs are always the best—like he’s draping a big security blanket over me. He’s safety.
The familiar squeak of the screen door tears us apart.
Talulla comes to a halt in the doorway. “So, you’re back? I thought Odette was playing a joke on me.” Her hands go to her hips, and she stares daggers at Harley and me.
“I not joking,” Odette says adamantly with a stomp of her foot from behind Talulla, who moves out of her way.
Talulla turns to her. “I know that, Odette. It’s okay.” The softness of her words to Odette only confirms she’s mad at me. Now, her icy blue gaze is back on me. She’s the younger version of me. We’re the only two in the family with blonde hair, blue eyes, and olive complexions—we’re Mom’s lookalikes. How will Tally take to Olive?
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming? How long are you staying?” Talulla finally asks. I can’t tell if she’s happy to see me or not, but her body language and tone tell me no.
“Tally, let’s go inside and get some lunch. I’m sure Dee will fill you in and answer all your questions,” Harley suggests, trying to simmer the situation.
She turns, her blonde ponytail whipping around behind her and then swaying from side to side as she pulls the screen door open and disappears through the doorway.
“Well, I guess she’s mad at me as well.” I sigh and rub my hand down my face. I’ve only been here a short while, but I’m exhausted. Stirring up all these emotions and memories has worn me out.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll come around easy enough. This is Little Miss Saint we’re talking about.”
I laugh. “Yes, very true.” Tally has a way of not staying mad for long. When we were growing up, Harley broke one of her Barbie dolls, and she was mad for about thirty minutes then forgave him.
