Page 87 of Sweet Escape
My heart seizes in my chest as memories come rushing back; a recollection of a much smaller version of Emmy, and a different woman altogether. For the first time, I don’t shove those memories away. Somehow, I know Jess would love this view. She’d be happy to know there’s someone else here now, dancing in the kitchen with our daughter. She’s filling the void Jess left behind, giving Emmy something I never could, and givingmesomething I didn’t know I needed… hope.
The microwave beeps, and I pull out the bag of fresh popcorn, setting it on the countertop, too captivated to do anything with it. The song ends, and it changes to a soft ballad. Emmy squirms to be let down, and I waste no time taking her place as she darts off to the living room.
I bring Olivia into my arms, swaying us to the music. “You’re good with her,” I muse. “She adores you.”
“She’s an amazing little girl, and you’ve done an incredible job raising her on your own.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I let go of Liv and spin her under my arm, pulling her back to me just as swiftly. She laughs, and that sound pierces straight through to my patchwork heart, held together by tape and glue… andthem.
Olivia’s stomach rumbles, and she swats me on the chest. “Wait a minute. Where’s my snack?”
“You go find Emmy. I’ll get your popcorn fixed and meet you on the couch.”
Chapter 23
Nevertheless, She Persisted
?Man, I feel like a woman - Shania Twain
Wilder
As I’m sprinklingan obscene amount of M&M’s over the top of Liv’s questionable snack for the third week in a row, the front door opens and closes, and my sister comes into view.
“Surprise, big brother!” Ruby squeals, rushing into the kitchen with her arms outstretched.
I wrap her in a hug, her high-heeled boots putting her at eye level for once.
“What are you doing here?” I ask incredulously.
“I’m playing an impromptu concert at The Ridge for a friend’s birthday.”
“Let me guess. Liam called, and you came running?” Someday she’s going to have to come to terms with her feelings for her ex’s brother, and I’ll have to be there to pick up the pieces when she does.
She rolls her eyes. “He did. But it’s for Miles and Maggie,” she says defensively. “Where’s my Loulou?”
“In the living room with Liv.”
My sister bites down on a smile and does a slow turn back the way she came. I snatch Liv’s popcorn off the island and follow close behind, muttering, “Be nice, Ruby. She’s a fan.”
“When am I evernotnice?” She’s got me there. Ruby’s known as the country music darling for a reason. She always goes above and beyond for her fans, and her family is everything to her. Liv is part of that family now.
Ruby stops in the archway, both hands planted in her back pockets, peeking over the threshold toward the sectional. I peer over her head, catching sight of my girls reading Emmy’s favorite finger puppet board book. They’re oblivious to the intrusion. Emmy giggles when Liv does a terrible impression of a donkey, and my sister smiles at me over her shoulder with a knowing gleam in her eyes. “They’re cute.”
“Yeah.”
“You care about her.”
“I do.”
“Looks good on you.”
“What does?”
Ruby ignores my questioning glare and walks further into the room. Emmy squeals at the sight of her favorite auntie, running as fast as her little legs will carry her. Ruby crouches down and catches her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Liv doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. She sits there with her finger still stuck in the donkey puppet, eyes wide and jaw slack.
“Think that donkey has pink eye?” I ask, plopping myself down on the sectional beside her.
