Page 62 of Fortune's Control
“Forcing her will lead to an insincere apology. I would help her understand why it’s in her best interest.”
The difference between those two statements was slim. A strange pool grew in my stomach, warming me as I considered what that meant, and I shivered.
“Are you cold?”
So far, I’d seen Shane’s commanding nature directed towards friends and family. What would he do to those he deemed enemies?
“I wonder if that part about my grandmother is true.”
“Probably not, or at least not in the way she described it. In my experience, people who lie about one thing will lie aboutanother.”
If her claim were true, that would make two generations of toxic Mayberry women. What did that say about me? Toxic or messy? Which was worse?
“Wait. What did Sarah Jane lie about?”
“She implied life with you was difficult, which is impossible.” His thumb stroked my cheek, and I shivered again. “She’s mistaken about that, Lilah. You made friends with Lainey, and deserve credit for my sister and me talking more than we have in years. You played matchmaker with Diane and Pete.”
“With your help.”
“My part barely mattered. You also made my life better. Considering all that, it’s more than fair to call your mother a liar.”
Sophie pounded on the door. “Hey, you two. Are we ready, or should I put earphones on?”
I wanted to melt into the floor. “I thought we were discreet.”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t.”
“One minute,” I called out.
“Stay with Sophie today. If you two separate, call me. I don’t want you alone.”
“All day. We’re touring a few buildings and pulling tax records.” I clapped my hands with excitement. “I get to build a budget.”
He struggled for a response before settling on caution. “Be careful. Anywhere downtown, I’m two minutes away.”
“I’ll be safe the entire time.” Nothing could happen to me in Fortune’s Creek, not in my newfound oasis.
21-Lilah
“What are you looking at?” Sophie craned her neck toward the sky.
“The squirrels.”
A dozen leaped from branch to tree and back again as they took turns playing chase.
“Do you see that pile of leaves?” Sophie pointed up at a pine tree. “The one that looks like a strange mess. It’s a squirrel’s nest.”
I always pictured them hiding in hollow trees, like an image from children’s books.
Eager squirrels, a sunny day, and a gentle wind. Shane worried about me, but there was no reason. Wilson Skane didn’t know where I was, and the ankle monitor prevented him from coming after me, which meant my reasons for hiding in Fortune’s Creek disappeared. If what my mother said was true, my grandmother didn’t want me.
My feet dragged on the grass as the realization hit all over again.
“What’s wrong?” Sophie’s eyes tightened with concern.
“Nothing at all.” I forced a smile back onto my face. “Is this the last place?”
“You sound disappointed.”
