Page 9 of Reuniting with the Rancher

“If I hadn’t insisted on giving birth at home… If she hadn’t…” She took a deep breath and looked out the window. “I like to imagine she’d be planning her eleventh birthday party and fighting for the Tetris champion title with Boogie… My faith tells me she’s with people that love her like Mari and Mom. And Icarry her with me always, here,” she pointed to that sore spot in her chest, “and here,” Lily held out the ring she never took off. “Mari had jewelry made with her ashes for me, mom and for herself. We never talked about her, not really, but we carried her with us. Always.”

“My mother gave you those ashes?”

The anger in his voice cut. Deep. She quickly pulled her hand back to her, protectively covering it with her left hand as he looked like he wanted to rip the ring off of her finger.

“I have every right to her too Greyson,” she hated the way her voice shook. “I didn’t want to be treated like gum on someone’s shoe the way the hospital treated Mari when she had Caleb. At home with a midwife seemed better, healthier for both of us. I’ll carry that guilt for the rest of my life, no matter how many hours of therapy I endure. But I’ve learned enough to know I don’t deserve your scorn. I didn’t then and I don’t now. And your two minutes are up.”

She moved to leave when suddenly he was at her back, his hand pressing the door closed.

“Please…Lily…”

Moisture dripped on her shoulder and tank. She whipped around. “Your blood is–”

He was crying. It was the second time she’d seen him cry. The first was when he learned his father died while they were in grad school.

“I’m so sorry Lily. I fucked up. I fucked up so bad. I–she–, Jesus Lily,” he took a deep breath and blew it out. “Ivy is alive. Our baby girl is alive, beautiful, and healthy. I didn’t know you thought…She lied to us… I’m so…sorry.”

He searched her eyes and waited and she? Well, she LOST. HER. SHIT.

GREYSON

“Ivy?” she whispered in disbelief. “Ivy’s alive?”

“Yes, she’s–”

“Who took her? How did you find her? HOW–”

He took a chance she wouldn’t clock him and placed his hands on her arms to brace her and move her to the bed, helping her sit. “She wasn’t kidnapped. I’ve raised her best as I could with mom’s help. She’ll be home from boarding school in a month and–”

“I’m sorry. I think I’m having delusions. WHAT did you say?”

“Auntie?”

“You knew my daughter was alive for TEN YEARS and you never told me? You let me believe,grievefor a decade–”

Caleb slipped the door open, his eyes wide as he took in the both of them. He lingered on Grey’s broken nose. “Mr. Monroe, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.”

Dammit. This was turning to shit.

“I appreciate you takin’ up for your aunt Caleb, but we’re working through something and..”

Lily stood and paced damn near hyperventilating until suddenly she picked up her suitcase near the window and threw it. The big bay window cracked. She picked the suitcase up again and threw it again.

“MY BABY!”

Chink!The window splintered more.

“MY BABY!”

Chink! Chink!Spiderwebs of crack ricocheted as the glass shook under the force of Lily’s assault.

“ALL THIS TIME!

CRASH!

The window shattered and so did she, falling to her knees in tears and rage.

“WHOSE ASHES AM I WEARING? WHO DID I BURY WITH MYMOTHER, MYSISTER?!”

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