Page 120 of My Mistake To Make

I hear the rumble of the truck and turn my head as it turns onto the drive, and I feel like I might pass out. How is he here?

I’m frozen with confusion as I watch Doug get out of his truck and slam the door closed angrily.

‘Grandma. What the fuck?’

Wait, what did he just say?

‘Douglas Campbell. I know you didn’t just aim that language my way. Don’t you forget who you’re talking to.’

‘She was here the whole time.Really?You kept that from me? And how do you even know each other?’

I stand from my crouched position and slowly turn my head to look at Doris. My mouth falling open in shock.

‘What the hell is going on?’ I say, my voice barely there.

‘Cara, honey. I’ll explain. I just…’

‘Cara.’ Doug’s voice is softer than I’ve ever heard it, and I try my hardest to ignore the fast beating of my heart. ‘Please look at me.’

‘Why don’t we go inside, get a drink and something to eat,’ Doris interrupts, and I hear Doug exhale.

‘Sweetheart.’ My dad’s lovely soft voice has me turning to look at him in person for the first time in months, but I need a minute. Dropping the pruning shears in my hand, without another word, I turn and walk away.

I walk around Doris’s estate for maybe an hour before I accept that it’s too damn hot to be wandering aimlessly and head back.

When I reach the front yard, sweat beads tickling my spine, I stop and take a deep inhale as I see Doug sitting on the porch steps. He stands as I approach, so I stop, keeping the distance between us.

‘Why are you here?’ I ask, and he laughs.

‘I could ask you the same thing.’

‘Doris is my friend. I needed some space, and she offered it.’

He steps down toward me, and I instinctively take a step back.

‘Cara, please don’t act like I’m going to hurt you. I’d never do that.’

‘You already did.’ I glare at him, then shake my head. ‘I need a shower.’

Storming past him, I head inside the house and straight into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I thought today I’d be talking to my dad and figuring out that mess. Instead, I’m hiding, and I don’t give a damn.

When I come outof the shower, I change into some loose trousers and a t-shirt, tying my wet hair up before heading to the kitchen at the front of the house. I breathe deeply as I see Doug sitting opposite my dad and Doris at the kitchen table, talking like they’re old friends.

‘Oh, good, you’re here. Come on. Let’s eat.’ Doris says brightly.

I look at the only empty seat right next to Doug and shake my head.

‘I’m not hungry. You all enjoy it.’

‘Sit your butt down, young lady,’ Doris says, arching one eyebrow. ‘You may have your issues with my grandson, and that’s between the two of you to sort out, but I didn’t spend time preparing all this food in this heat for my guests to tell me they ain’t hungry. Sit.’

Taking another breath, I drag myself to the table and sit.

God, he smells good. How does he smell like that on a day like today? I wish I could force myself not to breathe, not inhale the scent of him, but the more I try, the deeper I seem to be breathing him in.

‘It’s lovely to see you, sweetheart,’ Dad says from across the table, and I raise my gaze to his.

‘You too, Dad. I’m sorry you had to come all this way.’

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