Page 44 of Burned

Chapter Fifteen

Rhys read over the written exams and was tempted to give a B to everyone and call it a day. But he remembered the last time he’d done that. It was more of a headache than it was worth with all the people lined up for his office hours arguing how they deserved a better grade. Besides, some of those students clearly did not deserve a grade that high. He should have given this to one of his Teaching Assistants, but it was always his policy to grade the midterms and the finals himself. He needed to get these in by the end of the week and he was nowhere near finished.

It was hard to concentrate when his personal life was absolute shit and he had no one but himself to blame. His daughter had severe emotional problems, but he’d ignored the signs and now his ignorance had ruined one of the best things in his life. His gut twisted in knots when he thought about Sadie and the nasty things he’d said to her. He remembered the pain etched on her lovely face as he cut her down.

She hadn’t returned any of his calls, not that he could blame her, but eventually,they’d have to talk for the baby’s sake. He was going to be a father again and he had so many mixed emotions on the matter: joy, sadness, pride, and regret. Somehow he had to make this right, but considering what Carys had put her through, and how he’d treated her he wasn’t sure if it would be that easy.

Giving up all pretense of grading papers he pushed them aside and stood up with a yawn. He glanced at the clock to see that it was past nine and he still hadn’t eaten. When he made his way to the kitchen, he halted upon seeing Carys sitting at the kitchen counter eating a bowl of cereal.

She looked up from her meal and froze. For the better part of the week, they hadn’t said much to each other. Carys seemed as if she wanted to say something to him, but Rhys was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to say to this stranger he’d raised. With a sigh, he walked further into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “I left some money on the counter for you to order pizza.”

“I saw it, but I-I was hoping you’d come out of your study and we can have dinner together.”

He pulled out some bread and sandwich fixings from the refrigerator. “You know I have term papers to grade. I don't really have time for much until I get my grades in.”

“Oh. Well….Daddy?”

“Yeah?” He didn’t bother looking up as he carefully piled deli meat, lettuce, and tomatoes on his bread.

“I was wondering if you could take me to the stables this week. To check on Buttercup I mean.”

“I’ll be busy. Besides, there won’t be anymore trips to the stable for you.” He spread mustard on his sandwich before putting everything together and taking a bite.

“For how long?”

Rhys chewed his food and swallowed before answering. “I’d say when you make enough money to afford your own horse.”

Carys furrowed her brows as confusion marred her face. “I don’t understand. I have Buttercup and Sassafras.”

“You had them. As of Tuesday, Sassafras and Buttercup are up for sale, hopefully to owners who know how to take care of them.”

“But…but you can’t do that. They’re my horses!”

He took another bite of his sandwich and put it down in order to place the deli meat and condiments back in the fridge. “Were your horses. I guess you failed to remember the conversation we had when I purchased them for you—to take care of them. Because of your little prank, Buttercup could have died. Thank goodness, Dr. Hayes is an excellent veterinarian or she would have.”

Once he’d put all the items away, he picked up his sandwich and headed out the kitchen, only to be stopped by Carys. She grabbed him by the arm, her eyes brimming with tears. “I said I was sorry, Daddy. You know how much I love them. I never meant for that to happen. I swear I didn’t. I promise it won’t happen again.”

He yanked his arm out of her hold. “You’re right, it won’t because I’m not going to change my mind.”

“But I thought…I told you what I did. You and Sadie can get back together now and everything will be okay.”

Rhys was absolutely incredulous. Did she think she was doing him a favor by giving her offhand approval for him to see Sadie? After what she’d put the poor woman through? Even now, he didn’t think Carys understood the full extent of what she’d done. Sadie could have ended up in jail, could have gotten seriously injured, could have lost the baby—could have died. Rhys had to remember Carys was still a child, lest he said something he couldn’t take back. While he loved his daughter, he didn’t like her very much right now. “You think it’s that easy?”

Carys’s mouth opened then closed.

“Did you think you could do what you did and everything would be okay just because you said you were sorry? Well, it doesn’t work that way, little girl. When you play adult games, you have to expect consequences. I take the bulk of the blame here for giving you everything, spoiling you and making you so selfish that you can’t see beyond your own needs. For that, the responsibility lays on my shoulders, but what you did—” he broke off unable to wrap his head around it. “Disgusting.”

He turned on his heel and stalked away. On his way out of the kitchen, he dropped his sandwich in the garbage can, his appetite gone.

* * *

“Hold still unless you want this polish all over your feet.” Lily scolded, carefully applying color to Sadie’s toenails.

“Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m just fidgety today. I really like this color. What is it?”

“Toasted Almond. When I saw it, I thought of you.”

“You didn’t have to apply it for me.”

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