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The curtain behind me yanked open a few inches, and Gracie’s head popped through.
“What are you laughing at?” she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Nothing and everything at the same time,” I said, still chuckling.
“You look different,” she commented. “You look happy. I can’t remember the last time I heard you laugh, Mom.”
Sadness engulfed me, and I dropped my arms to my sides as I stared at Gracie’s reflection in the mirror. Was I so miserable that even she’d noticed before I uncovered Barrett’s secrets? And how long had I lived that way? Months? Years? If Gracie couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard me laugh, I’d say the latter.
“I am happy,” I whispered. “Happier here than in New York. Though I hate admitting that out loud because I know you miss it.”
Gracie chewed on her lip, averting her eyes. “Maybe at first, just because of the suddenness of it all, you know? You ripped me out of school and gave me zero reasons.” She glanced over her shoulder before slipping through the curtain and joining me in the tiny space. “I was mad. I still don’t know what happened, but…I’m not unhappy here. I’m looking forward to meeting kids my age instead of just hanging out with you and the neighbors. But I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yeah. I don’t think I knew how unhappy you were until now, seeing you like this.”
I sighed and pulled her in for a hug. “I didn’t realize it either.”
“And maybe I was too. I didn’t like school at all. But I thought that was how it had to be. I thought everyone was miserable, so I should be too.”
“Oh, Gracie,” I whispered into her hair. “I never want you to be miserable. I did what I had to do for both of us, to protect us. And when I knew you were unhappy, it killed me. I hated that this had to happen, but now I’m wondering if… if maybe this change is exactly what we both needed.”
She pulled back and studied me. “Will you ever tell me the full reason for why we had to leave? What terrible thing Dad did?”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, someday. When we’re past all this, I’ll tell you everything. But right now, I just need you to understand that I did it for us. It wasn’t something I decided lightly. I knew it would be difficult, but it had to be done. Your father, he’s made a lot of poor decisions. Decisions that affected the company and were about to affect you and me.”
“I miss him,” she whispered. “Is that bad?”
“No, baby. It’s not bad. He’s your father.”
She nodded and wiped at her wet eyes. “Okay, I’m going to finish trying on the clothes. Who knew a place this small would have so many cute options?”
I watched as she slipped back around the curtain, and then I slumped against the wall. Studying the black scuffs on my shoes, I startled when the curtain moved again and Trap’s concerned face popped through.
“You okay?” he whispered.
I nodded, then shrugged. His hand appeared around the curtain, and he crooked a finger. Only when I was right in front of him did he lean forward and place a chaste kiss on my lips.
“What was that for?”
“For being so fucking strong,” he replied. “Just wanted you to know that I see it. Shade sees it. And now Grace sees it.”
With that, he vanished, leaving me full of an emotion I hadn’t felt in a long fucking time.
Pride.
* * *
“You sure it’s okay?”I asked as I rolled the slick beer bottle between my hands.
“Of course,” Anne said to my right, where she sat in Grayson’s lap. His hand lay high on her thigh, fingers stroking back and forth. She smiled down at Misery in her lap, who purred as Anne’s fingers stroked through his black fur. “I’m happy to help. Gracie is a great kid and extremely hardworking. I’ll appreciate the extra hands around the ranch when she’s out of school. And of course, this little man is no trouble at all. He’ll have the time of his life.”
Standing, she held Misery high in the air as she cooed sweet words.
I watched Shade and Trap, but their focus stayed on either their own beers or the kitchen table, lost in thought.
Grayson smacked her ass, making her hiss and rub at the spot. “Ready?” he asked. After she nodded, he turned his attention to me. “We’ll take care of her, keep her safe. You have Anne’s number, so call or text any time if you want to check in.”
