Page 30 of Dare to Need

I plopped hard against the back of my chair, feeling the rise of defeat and worry cinch around my already fatigued mind.

“The letter said I have to respond within twenty days. I thought all of this was behind me and that I was finally getting a fresh start. Now it feels like I’m about to be dragged through the mud again. Not to mention it’s not the best timing for this to be happening.”

“If there’s anything in life I’ve learned, it’s that life rarely waits for us to be ready. That goes for the good things as well. We aren’t always ready to fall in love, have children, or see our dreams come to fruition. And we’re never ready for the bad. But just as you proved to yourself last year that you’re a strong woman, you will prove it to yourself again during this trying time.” She gave me a warm smile. “I know it may feel like the sky is falling and you might crumble under the stress of everything. But these trials will only make you stronger—you and Garth both.”

I returned her smile with one of my own. “Thank you for saying that, Mrs. Walker. I try to tell myself that I’m strong, but sometimes I just need to hear it from someone else.”

“Of course. And I hope you know that I am always here for you. Whatever issues this subpoena brings up, I will help guide you through it the best I can. You’re not alone in this.”

“Thank you,” I said, again. And I meant it.

“Why don’t you bring the papers over to my room this evening and I’ll have our lawyer look over them for you. That way we know exactly what the court is expecting from you.”

I sat up a little straighter, some of the anxiety melting away. “That would be amazing. Thank you so much!”

“No problem at all, darling. In fact, why don’t you and Garth both come over this evening. We can sort out the subpoena and then go out for a nice dinner before I take my third visit with George.”

I ran my palms along the side of my jean shorts. “I, um, actually haven’t told Garth about the subpoena yet. I was hoping we could keep it just between us for now. I don’t want to add more to his stress level.”

Mrs. Walker’s chin rose slightly. “I see. Well, it can be just us for tonight. But I will caution you to be honest with Garth sooner rather than later.”

Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “Secrets always have a way of creating resentment and the longer that wound festers, the worse it is to heal.”

ChapterThirteen

GARTH

Iwasn’t sure why my father had been so coy with me during the business meeting. I’d accepted my fate and was trying to play the part he’d wanted me to play for so long. But something felt off this morning. Through countless efforts to get him to discuss my role in the company, he wouldn’t give me any guidance on logistics of what I was actually supposed to do. Instead, the past two hours were filled with his avoidance by means of philosophical talks about what life actually means and the importance of happiness over money.

It was strange, and I’d spent most of the morning wondering if the heart attack had somehow cut off the oxygen supply to his brain. I’d done what he wanted me to do. I signed the papers his lawyer sent over, but he wasn’t giving me any direction.

So I decided to start with the only piece of advice he’d given me over the years that I chose to live by—if I wanted to be respected, then I needed to dress the part.

Tugging at the hem of my suit jacket, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t often that I chose to wear a three-piece suit, but it was time to grow up. To stop playing games and finally don the mask I was always meant to wear. I was born into this, even if every fiber of my soul fought against it. And if my father was being resistant in teaching me what I needed to know, then I would figure it out on my own. Just like I always did.

This time, it wouldn’t be for my own benefit. I would bury myself in this work to bring our family back together. That was the only thing that mattered now.

But first, I needed to make things right with Eva. She didn’t deserve what I gave her the other day. It didn’t matter that my fingers twitched with the need to paint—to expel all the emotional baggage that was plaguing me. Or that every time I tried to make sense of the jumbled mess in my head, I failed epically. I shouldn’t have shut her out like I did.

From the small closet of our room, I grabbed the long black garment bag and unzipped the zipper. Folding the sides of the bag against the hanger, I slipped off the thin straps of the red silk dress and laid it out on the bed. She would be back any second from her afternoon outing with my mom.

As though my thoughts had summoned her, the click of the door sounded and Eva walked into the room. Her long auburn hair was swept up in a loose ponytail, showing off her delicate neck and toned arms. It didn’t matter that her face didn’t have a trace of makeup on or that she was wearing frayed jean shorts and a fitted black tank-top. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. My stomach dropped as I thought back to how shitty I’d been to her. I needed to make things right.

“What’s going on?” she asked as she took notice of me.

Stepping into her space, I wrapped my arms around the small of her back and pulled her in close. The warmth of her seeped into me as the sweet smell of lilac drifted around us. It felt so good to have her in my arms. Despite everything that was happening, she was my home and I needed to remind her of just how much that meant to me.

Leaning back just enough so I could see her face, I slid my hands up her back, my fingers dancing in slow circles on her smooth skin.

“I’m so sorry, Eva.”

“You don’t—“

“No, please.” I interrupted. “I need to apologize for being such a jerk. You were just trying to help and I shut you down. It wasn’t fair and I’m sorry.”

Her lips were a tight line before she said, “I just wish it didn’t have to be like this. You have worked so hard to be able to do what you love and now it feels like all of that is being stripped away from you. And I hate it, Garth. I hate watching this whole situation turn you into something you’re not.”

A subtle look of surprise washed over her face as the words hung in the air between us. But that surprise quickly turned to gentle confidence as she rolled her shoulders back slightly.

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