Page 100 of Lilly

"That's why those bad guys took you? To get to Dad?"

I never ask Rachel about the years she was gone because it's something she doesn't like to talk about. But I need to know the answer.

"Yes." She gazes out at the ocean. "Some bad men wanted to get your father's money and thought they could do it by taking me."

She wouldn't look at me when she said it, which makes me think she's lying. But why would she lie about that?

"And they never found who did it?"

She turns to me, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry, honey, but I can't talk about this. I know it's been years, but being taken from your husband and child is something you just don't get over. And I can't..." She sniffles. "I can't talk about it."

I hug her. "I'm sorry."

She lets me go, her smile back. "Let's get out of here. It's a beautiful day and we're missing it."

"Let me grab my sunglasses." I go to the nightstand where I left them.

"Ready?" she asks, standing by the door, her giant purse hanging off her shoulder.

"Why are you bringing your purse? We're just walking along the beach. You don't need it."

She shrugs. "You know me. I always need my purse."

It's true. She brings it everywhere. I try not to carry one. When I do I tend to forget about it and leave it behind.

We go out on the path and find that it continues past the hotel. The stone path becomes all sand and the flowers are replaced by tall grass, but it's still a path, worn down by people walking on it.

"Look how far it goes," I say. "Let's keep walking and see where it ends."

"Not now. We need to turn around."

I see her worried expression. "What's wrong?"

She fakes a smile. "Nothing. I just think we should stay on the property." She does a scan of the beach. There are some people off in the distance putting their feet in the water, but other than that it's just us, which I like. It's calm and peaceful, the only sound being the ocean waves crashing along the shore. I love that sound. It's loud and powerful and yet I find it soothing.

"Come on." I grab her hand. "It'll be fun."

"No. We're not going any farther."

"Why not?"

"Because I...I have sand in my shoes. It hurts to walk."

"Then wait here. I'll go check it out and come back." I continue along the path, breathing in the fresh ocean air.

"Lilly, wait!" Rachel catches up to me and takes hold of my arm. "Stop."

I turn back. "Why?"

"It's too isolated. It could be dangerous."

I roll my eyes. "It's the beach. It's not dangerous. Now you sound just like Dad."

"Lilly, I mean it. We're going back to the room."

"Why can't we stay outside?

"We can, but let's go back to the hotel. We shouldn't be out this far. It's probably private property."

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