Page 103 of Things Left Unsaid

“That’s why I blamed her.”

“Why didn’t you tell the Mounties?”

“She was already messed up as a kid. I didn’t want to add a juvie charge to it. She didn’t do it, of course.”

“How do you know?”

“I should have had faith in her but I didn’t. It wasn’t faulty wiring, Mum.”

Our gazes catch.

She releases a breath. “Clyde—the original sinner.”

Her lack of surprise sums up my father well.

Mum stays silent for what feels like endless moments, then she decides to blow my mind by changing the subject: “Callan knows about that DNA test Clyde did last year.”

“What?!”

“I heard him tell Zee. He said he only wished he weren’t Clyde’s son… She’s becoming quite the confidante of his.” Primly, she takes another sip. “You have feelings for her, of course.”

I run my thumb along my bottom lip. “Perhaps.”

“No ‘perhaps’ about it. It’s why you spend half the time hiding behind your phone whenever she’s grabbing coffee in the kitchen.” She sniffs. “I’ll tell you something, son. If you want her, you need to keep ahold of her.Butthere’s no keeping ahold of something that doesn’t want to be here… You need to give her a reason to stayifthat’s what you think is best for you.”

“I didn’t think you liked her,” I admit.

“I barely know the girl. Still, it’s a mother’s lot to think that no one is good enough for her son, but I can see she has a kind heart thanks to her dealings with Callan.” She pats my hand. “The way she stays in her room doesn’t bode well though, Colt. You need to make a decision. Nip this in the bud before it can sprout stinging nettles, hmm?”

“I guess.”

She fusses with her teacup. “Ida said Clyde came around yesterday.”

“What?” I snap, the news blindsiding me.

“She told him to leave because you weren’t above calling the cops on him.”

“That worked?”

Mum purses her lips. “Apparently.”

Concerned he might have frightened her, I demand, “Did you see him? Did he threaten you?”

“No. I was taking Hellie for a ride.”Thank God.“Ida found him in your office.”

My brows lift though I know what he was looking for… Something Mrs. Abelman found when she was packing his stuff and which is now in the new safe in my bedroom. Something which has kickstarted an investigation that, I hope, will ruin him for good.

“Ida wasn’t sure whether to tell you or not.”

When I think of the promise I made ZeeandCallan, never mind the unspoken one I gave my mother once I asked her to return home, the fuse on my temper explodes.

Grabbing my cell, I hit dial on his name in my contacts, but much like the other times I’ve called him since the day he confronted Zee at the airport, he doesn’t pick up.

Having to rely on texts, I type:

Me: You go anywhere near the Seven Cs and you’ll learn what happens when you break the protective order I’ve obtained against you, but only after you come face-to-face with Grandad’s DP-12.

Me: You’re not welcome here.

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