Page 129 of Love Takes Home

“A little better every day.”

“And the nightmares?”

“Staying away as long as he’s near.” She smiles at me. “We haven’t really tried to see what happens if I’m alone.”

“She’s no longer screaming out if I have to get up at night. That’s a huge improvement,” I tell the women.

“And we’re still on for next week?” Claire asks her.

“That’s the plan.”

“What about work?”

“I’m not going back. I told them this week. I think I’d be more of a distraction at this point.”

Claire purses her lips, but doesn’t argue. “Have you thought about the other thing we talked about?”

“About leaving Boulder Canyon?” Ginny clarifies. Huh, news to me. “I have. But I don’t think I can. I mean, for one, Joker’s there, and I won’t leave him. I refuse to leave him.”

I raise my hand like we’re back in second grade. “Umm, Joker’s only there because you’re there.”

“What? Really?” She turns to me, her face a range of emotions. I nod. “I thought you were there for work, though.”

“No, Beautiful. Daniel’s letting me stay there because he knew I wouldn’t leave you.”

“Well, son of a bitch, Harrison, I wish you’d have told me that earlier.”

“Ginny, you made it clear that you wouldn’t leave Boulder Canyon. And I would never make you.” She stares at me like she wants to argue about it, but she knows I’m right. “Is it possible that you might be willing to think about leaving now?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, turning to Claire. “Know of any openings at the high school here for a music teacher?”

Claire laughs. I think we all feel lighter with Ginny’s question. “There might be something. You never know. I’ll ask around.”

We say our goodbyes and I take Ginny to the diner, where Ms. Sandy grabs her in a big hug. “I’m so dang happy to see you again!” she exclaims, a wide smile on her face. “And thank you for sending that hunky brother of yours down here to say hello.”

Ginny laughs. “No worries. I was glad to yell at him for you. Might have told him you were going to hunt him down in his sleep if he didn’t find a way. And that I’d tell Ms. Mable.”

“Oh, now that is a threat. I love that woman.” Sandy smiles at her. “So, what are we having today? Your usual?”

Ginny squeals, clapping her hands. “I have a ‘usual’!”

I watch her interact with Sandy and George and the other patrons of the diner. I could see her flourishing here. I could see Claire pulling her into the fold. Abigail and her sisters would love her.

After Sandy delivers our drinks, I take her hand. “Could you really see yourself happy here?”

She shrugs. “Yes? I think if there’s anywhere I could be happy, it’s here. Everyone has always been so nice to me here. I know I couldn’t do a big city again. There are way too many fucking people, but this place has always been special. It’s why I came to visit Trish so much when she was in school here.”

“What are your reservations?” I ask, trying to figure out her obstacles. “Talk to me.”

“I think the biggest is that I can’t continue to rely on you.” When I start to protest, she hurries up to add, “Financially. I have to be able to help financially.”

“I understand that. And I think that’s fair.”

“You give me so much already, and I love you.”

“But you don’t want to feel beholden to me?” She nods. “I never want you to feel that, Beautiful. I never want you to feel trapped or like I’m a danger. Also, I love you, too.”

“I think if we could figure out the financial piece, it would be a conversation worth having,” she finally tells me, already looking both excited and terrified.

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