AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They allow phones and devices in here with all this equipment?” she asked lightly.
“It’s me, Mills. You can talk to me.”
“I don’t hate him anymore, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I don’t think you ever did,” he said quietly.
“No, I suppose you’re right on that count.” She flashed a half-hearted smile. “I guess I don’t resent the air he breathes. I know we’re never going to be together. His choices are always going to be different from mine, so I’m over it. I’m overhim. He’s just a guy from my past.”
Silence followed her declaration, and Bent took a moment, as if he were trying to decide the right thing to say. “I saw the video. You don’t have to pretend with me.”
God. This man saw everything. How many others had? Chest tight, she attempted a smile. “But I do pretend when I have to,” she said. “It’s how I cope.”
“Have you ever thought about telling him? Maybe it’ll make it easier to unburden yourself. Make it easier to pretend.” Bent’s kind eyes nearly brought her to tears. “I think he’s still in love with you, and I know you’re—”
“There’s no point, Benton,” she interrupted before he said out loud the one thing she couldn’t admit to herself. “He’s leaving as soon as you’re back on track, and I can’t see a way for us to ever be together and be happy.”
She saw the confirmation on his face. Everyone knew Cal would leave Big Bend as soon as he could.
“Funny how life is.” Bent heaved a sigh and lay back on his pillow. “Daisy’s been gone four years, and there’s not a day that goes by I don’t think of her. As much as she drove me crazy to the point I didn’t know which way was up or down. As much as she did spiteful awful things. She wasn’t good for no one, not even her own daughter. But that doesn’t mean I don’t wonder where she is and what she’s doing with who. We weren’t good for each other, but it doesn’t make it any easier. We don’t always fall for the right person. The lucky ones do.”
Millie Sue pressed a kiss to his cheek. They’d always had this bond, this linked sadness. “Maybe one day, we’ll be lucky,” she whispered.
“Maybe.”
“Sounds like you’ll be home for Thanksgiving?” She changed the subject because she’d had enough of the past.
“That’s the plan. You’ve seen Scarlett.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
“Another baby, and she didn’t say much about the father.”
“I’m sure you’ll get the story sooner rather than later.”
“We’re a sad bunch, aren’t we?”
“What do you mean?”
Benton shrugged. “Us Bridgestones. We can’t seem to find any kind of happiness. It’s as if when Mom died, all of it got sucked away with her. Dad spiraled, and though he’s stopped drinking, that’s no guarantee he won’t fall off the wagon.” He paused, as if gathering some more strength. “Even though I was as high as a kite when Vivian was here, something’s up with her. I don’t think it’s anything good. With her it never is. Hell, she couldn’t wait to get out of Big Bend.”
“Families are complicated.”
“No shit.” Bent grimaced. “Do you think people can change?”
Millie considered her answer. “I think we’re all hardwired to be a certain way, and sometimes even if we want to change, we can’t.”
“Well, that’s not what I wanted to hear.”
A lump formed in her throat, and she knew Bent was thinking about little Nora. His and Daisy’s past made hers and Cal’s look like a walk in the park by comparison. The door to his room opened, and a nurse entered. She looked at Millie.
“Sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I need to check on a few things.”
“Shoot, Cara, can’t it wait?” Benton’s charm was palpable, and the nurse, an older lady with tidy, dyed red hair and a petite build, blushed, her cheeks nearly as dark as her hair.
“Don’t you try that on me, sir,” she said with a wink. “I know what you’re all about, Benton Bridgestone.”
“You sure do,” he replied with a slight grin. “I think in the last few days, you’ve seen pretty much all of me.”
