Page 96 of The Love Ambush
“Oh, my candy,” she says, bouncing on the couch. “I want to take it back from the raccoons.”
“Do you think you’ll stop being mad at me anytime soon?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” she says. “It hurts too much to think about it.” She sighs heavily. “But it doesn’t matter. I don’t trust Dad until I’ve figured out what he’s up to. I have to focus on what’s best for the kids.”
I drop back against the couch. “You really don’t trust him to have your sisters’ best interests in mind? Maybe he’s changed.”
“Maybe.” She stares at the floor, swaying slightly. “I hope so, but I have to be ready for anything and everything. He’s smart, and I need to be smarter.”
I want to be with Gentry, but I’ll take being in her life any way she’ll have me, if it keeps her and the kids safe. “Will you let me help you?”
She stares at me, blinking slowly. “Maybe. But not until I’m not mad at you anymore.” She rubs her face. “We’re supposed tobe a team, but you cut me out. You lied to me, and you decided what was best for me without asking my opinion. That’s not the kind of partner I want.”
“I didn’t lie,” I say, but it sounds weak even to my own ears.
“Mom was wrong to let Dad become her whole world, her whole purpose, but Dad was wrong too. He manipulated her. I can’t be with someone who manipulates me, and that’s what it feels like you did. You and Brodie made a decision about my life, and now you just want me to believe it was the right choice, like I’m a stupid child.”
“You’re right,” I say, feeling like the biggest asshole. “I fucked up.” And I don’t think I can fix it this time. “Can I at least help you to your room?”
She pushes to her feet. “Nope. I got this.”
I follow her anyway and make sure she lands in bed okay.
“I told you not to help me,” she says as she curls up under the comforter, fully clothed.
“I’m leaving now.” I go, shutting the door behind me, but I’m determined to help Gentry, whether or not she wants me to.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gentry
Iam never drinking again. I feel like someone scooped out my brain and replaced it with jello, which isn’t great because I need to have all my wits at full speed ahead with Dad standing on my doorstep, his child bride by his side and a moving truck on the street behind them.
It’s been an hour since we got back to Catalpa Creek. The fact that he’s already here with all his stuff has my danger alerts blaring.
“Wow, Dad,” I say. “You’re here. Come on in.”
He gestures at the truck. “Where should I tell the guys to unload all this?”
“Um, we weren’t expecting you, so we’re going to have to make room. Maybe put everything in the garage for now?”
Dad looks over at Trisha, who’s staring at him with a worried crease between her brows. “You said you told them we’re moving in.”
He laughs uncomfortably. “I did tell them. At the wedding yesterday. They haven’t had time to make…” He looks back at me. “Why don’t we come in and have a look around? See where we might fit.”
He brushes past me before I have a chance to invite him in.
“How did you have time to pack up and get here?” I ask.
Dad waves a hand. “We packed and sent the truck here before the wedding.” He’s looking around the place with intense concentration, and I avoid the urge to apologize for the mess. “I knew you’d need us, kiddo.”
Those danger alerts blare even louder, and I have to breathe through my nose to quell the panic. Dad’s name is still on the lease. I can’t tell him not to move into his own house. And maybe he really wants to be close to his daughters.
I can be civil for my sisters. “None of us ever uses your old room,” I say. “You two can totally take it over. We’re pretty set on furniture for the rest of the house, though, so you might want to put the bulk of your things in storage.”
Trisha looks at our worn couch and gives Dad a pleading look. He misses or ignores it.
“We’ll figure it out,” Dad says. “Don’t you worry. Why don’t you take your sisters out to do something fun for the day, and we’ll get settled while you’re gone?”
