Page 127 of My Mistake To Make

‘Give Bo a kiss for me.’ I smile as I climb into my car and start the engine, then wind down the window, and she leans in. ‘Don’t let him get away, Cara. Men like him don’t come around often. He’s a good one. Trust me. I have plenty to compare him to.’

I place my hand on hers through the open window and smile, but I can’t say anything. My nerves are in my throat about heading back to Forest Falls, back to Doug.

‘Okay, get on the road. It’s a long drive. Text me when you get home, okay.’

‘I will. Bye.’

Her smile is beautiful as I pull away, and I can’t quite believe the past twenty-four hours just happened. I have a sister. Now I need to see if I still have a man.

As I hit the road that will take me most of the way back to Forest Falls, I pull up the contact I need on the dashboard and press call.

‘Oh my god, Cara.’ It sounds so good to hear her voice that I almost cry. ‘Where are you? I miss you. Are you coming home?’ I laugh as her words come out in a rush.

‘I am, Zo. I’m on my way now, actually, and I need your help with something.’

‘Okay, girl. Shoot, I got you.’

So I do. I tell her my plans as I press my foot a little firmer on the gas.

Will You Be Sad On Your Own?

Doug

‘No.’

I put my trunk in park and lean my head back against the headrest. I can’t quite believe I’m back to painting fences to put food on the table.

‘Doug, come on,please.’ My sister’s whining irritates me.

‘Zoe, I’m not in the mood to sit in a packed bar on a Friday night. I have to get to work.’

‘Douglas Campbell, don’t you dare cut me off,’ she says in a rush, and I shake my head. I take my phone off speaker and bring it to my ear as I climb out and see Mrs. Gleeson waiting for me on her patio.

‘Zoe, I’ve been working all day, and I have Bowie to get home to.’

‘Mama will have Bo. I already asked. Just take a shower and come down, please. I need you here.’

‘Why?’ I snap, and she huffs.

‘Because things have been getting a little rowdy with all the tourists and construction guys, and I just would feel a little better if I had you here in case it gets out of hand.’

Ah fuck. Zoe never asks for my help. I know if she is, it must be bad, and she knows there’s no way I can say no.

‘You suck,’ I growl, and she laughs.

‘I know, but I love you.’

‘Love you.’

‘Get to work.’ She cuts the call, and I do exactly that.

‘Okay, honey. I loveyou. Go to sleep for Grandma, okay? No funny business.’ Bowie giggles as I press my finger to the end of her nose, then lean in to kiss her forehead.

‘Goodnight, Daddy,’ she says sweetly before picking up her book and climbing up onto Grandpa Merv’s lap for a story.

‘Thank you for this,’ I say as Mama walks me to the front door. ‘I will fix us a place to live soon. I swear.’

I know she loves Bowie to death, but I feel bad having my mom share so much of the load of raising her.

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