Page 47 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

“It’d be too long of a drive for her,” I say, but she already knows that.

Angela shrugs, waving it off as always. “Whatever, it’s fine. Assuming I have any money once I’m out, I’ll rent an apartment nearby so I can see her every day.”

“You will. I’ve been adding money to your savings account every time I get a payout. If it’s not enough to get your own place, you know my parents will make room for you.”

My parents love Angela, but they don’t go out of their way to visit her. When she calls to talk to Aunt Phoebe, they exchange pleasantries, but that’s about it.

“Ellie, I can’t. You’re already payin’ my lawyer fees. I’ll never be able to reimburse you at this rate.”

“You’re my cousin and best friend. You deserve a fresh start after all this. Plus, I want to and wouldn’t accept money from you anyway.”

Every time I win a race, I put aside some of my earnings so she has some when she gets out. I know it’ll be rough starting her life over at twenty-nine years old, so if I can help make the reentry into society a bit easier, then I’ll do whatever it takes.

“You’re gonna work yourself to death tryin’ to take care of me. I’ll find a job, hopefully.” She shrugs again because it’s going to be a challenge even with a college degree. She has a criminal record and no previous work history.

When Talia’s family won the wrongful death lawsuit, my aunt and uncle had to sell their house, property, and pretty much everything they owned to pay the damages.

“Luckily, I love what I do, so it’s not that big of a deal,” I reassure her.

Winning is always the goal because it’s one step closer to finals, but the prize money is what keeps me going day after day. Once I pay Ranger’s monthly boarding and training expenses and any of Angela’s debts, I put whatever’s left into her savings.

“Even if it means you have to deal withhim?” She cringes at just having to think about Landen.

When I first got on Noah’s waitlist, I debated not telling Angela in case she disagreed with it. But I couldn’t keep a secret like that from her, so I told her and was relieved when she supported me all the way. She knew I wanted to make barrel racing my career and told me to do whatever it took to get to the top.

That’s how I know Angela’s not the person the media portrayed her to be.

“Comes with the territory of gettin’ the best trainer and boarding facility in the state.” I frown, not wanting to think about the person who’s responsible for putting her away in the first place.

However, I do feel bad that Noah doesn’t know. If it was widely known I’m related to Angela, it could risk my career now that it’s taken off and my name is out there more within the rodeo community. The media didn’t paint Angela in a good light throughout the trial and all the locals were convinced she was guilty even before the verdict. Since we don’t have the same last name, and I’m six years younger than her, no one recognizes me from that timeframe. Luckily, since no one recognizes me in Nashville and I only come to visit every few months, I haven’t worried about someone recognizing me.

If Noah knew I’m Angela’s cousin, there’s no way she would’ve agreed to train me. I’m sure she’d take Landen’s side and not want anything to do with me, so as hard as it is to keepit from her, I have no choice but to stay silent in order to reach my goals.

When Landen and I met at the ranch four years ago, it was obvious he didn’t remember me. I was only ten when Angela and him dated, and then only a couple years older when she was sentenced, so I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t. Which made it easier to be crystal clear that we’d never be friends.

Hell, I didn’t even want to be anywhere near him.

Not after hearing him talk at Angela’s trial and lying about the type of person she was. Then he lied to the court about what he witnessed and because it was five people’s word against hers, the jury sided with the prosecution.

We lost everything that day and life hasn’t been the same since then.

“He still regularly asks why you hate him?” Angela pops a brow.

“Pretty much, yeah. I think he has a new girlfriend, though. So maybe he’ll stop botherin’ me with it.”

She sits up taller, her handcuffs clanging together as she does. “Agirlfriend?”

My shoulder lifts because I’m not asking him for details. “He brought her to the fair last weekend.”

Angela rolls her eyes. “Must be nice to go out and do normal things. God. I hate him so much.”

Me too.

It wasn’t just her life he ruined.

My parents had to take out a second mortgage to help pay for Aunt Phoebe’s treatment when her husband left. On top of that, they were trying to be strong for me when the depressive episodes took over, but no matter what anyone said, I still couldn’t understand how Angela went to prison for something she didn’t do.

The justice system had failed her and all of us who loved her.

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