Page 83 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to worry her.”

I rake my hands through my hair.Why wouldn’t she want to tell her?“You sure?”

“I’ll call her, just not today. She has enough on her plate, and I think I’d find it hard to string a sentence together.” She briefly talks about her autistic cousin Jayson and his daily struggles before she clams up and the flames from the open brick fireplace steal her attention.

“Irreplaceable,” she mumbles. “Memories of them. Photos, postcards, birthday cards. It’s all I had left.”

I move my hand to her blanket-covered knee and squeeze, straining to find words. If I ever lost the letter my mother wrote me, they’d have to lock me up in a padded cell. It’s all I have of her.

“I’m truly sorry, Liv.”

“I have a necklace. It’s a solid sterling silver heart. It has some of my mother’s ashes in it.”

Holy fuck. I’ve seen her wear it before. And now it’s God knows where in the rubble.

Sweeping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her to my side. No matter where it is, I have to be positive for her. “Maybe it’s not destroyed. Once they’ve cleared the place, we’ll search for it.” I’ll sift through the rubble myself to get it back. Anything to ease the burden.

“It’s my fault they’re dead.”

Her flat tone and words drive a shiver up my spine. Dead? “Who?”

Liv snuggles into my side, pulling up the blanket to her chin. “My mother. Her parents.”

“Why would you say that?” I try to keep my voice even despite the chaotic thoughts raging inside my head.She holds herself responsible?

“I was selfish. I should’ve been the one driving.”

Her breathing evens out and a soft hum leaves her lips. Whatever went down with her family, I know one thing... guilt is eating this woman alive.

If only she’d tell me the full picture.If only I could share more of myself with her. If we both open up, maybe then we can move on from our pasts that haunt us.

“It’s gonna be okay,” I tell her. Whilst she’s been through hell today, a selfish part of me is grateful that, somehow, my day ends up with this beautiful woman in my arms. I only hope she’ll give me a chance to show her what she means to me, and what we could have. However long, I’m lucky enough for her to stay.

A soft knock comes from the door, followed by the rustle of plastic bags.

Daynah enters. “Hey,” she whispers, looking down at a passed-out Liv before meeting my eyes. She places the bags down beside the couch. “How’s she doing?”

I shake my head.

Daynah frowns. “Oh.”

“Give me a sec.” I carry Liv to the spare bedroom and join Daynah in the kitchen as she unloads containers of baked goods.

“Bernie baked,” she says.

“She’s the best.” Chocolate cupcakes and the best vanilla slice in the world.

I put on the kettle and grab two mugs. With a scrape of my hand down my face, the jug groans to life. “Fuck,” I mutter under my breath.

Small arms wrap around me from behind. “Hey.”

I turn and hold Daynah, letting her ground me, if only for a minute.

“So, what’s the plan?” She places her hands on my shoulders before stepping back.

“Guess we’ll see what tomorrow brings. Liv will need more things, and—”

“Do you think having her here is a good idea?” She drills me with a look of concern.

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