Page 82 of Forever in the Country

“Oh, land disputes!” Isla claps her hands and Waylon coughs to cover his laugh. “Baby, we love those, don’t we?”

“Yeah, City Girl, can’t get enough of ’em.”

“Great!” Isla beams in that scary way she does right before she flies off the rails. “Sheriff Kade is on the way over because I hate confrontation.” Marlee snickers and reaches out her hand for Isla who takes it and steps up next to my sister.

“That is unnecessary and just—”

“You’ve been told to leave. You were not invited here. Haven’t you done enough to my brother for one lifetime?”

“He’s our son and you’re our daughter.”

“No.” Marlee points at Flora and Vincent’s house. “He’s their son. I’m their daughter. The man in that house”—she points again—“danced with me at my wedding. My brother gave me away to the man of my dreams.My brother.” She accentuates the words as she points at our parents. “You have no claim to him. If he wants a relationship with you, that’s his business, but right now? You’re makin’ him upset.” She takes a breath. “And as for me? You’re nothing and I don’t want you comin’ anywhere near me or my family.”

Isla claps.

I’ve barely said a word, but maybe this is what was supposed to happen.

“You ungrateful—” Vivian is cut off by the sound of Sheriff Kade coming down the road. Her spine straightens, but Michael barely reacts like he doesn’t have a spine at all. He’s older, tired, and still catering to the wretched woman beside him.

“You’d do well not to finish that sentence,” Waylon says, his voice laced with warning as he stares at Vivian.

She looks to me. “Another time.”

“I’m all set. Y’all can see yourselves out of Clementine Creek.” Her eyes widen the slightest bit before she’s turning back to the car.

“I hope you didn’t pay full price for that knockoff,” Isla calls out, her gaze dropping to Vivian’s purse. “The stitching is embarrassing.”

Vivian gasps, and it’s only when Kade gets out of his car do they hustle into theirs. We watch as he talks to them for a moment and then directs them back onto the main road.

“Well, I guess I’ll make breakfast,” Hank says, but before anyone can answer, Marlee’s gaze locks on mine.

“I need to be alone right now,” Marlee says and takes off toward the house.

I need to go to her. I need to talk to her. I need—

My boot has barely left the ground before Waylon’s hand is on my chest, holding me in place. “She’ll let you know when she’s ready.”

“Waylon.” His name is a hoarse whisper as it’s ripped from my throat, but he shakes his head. I remember watching Hank stumble backward when he learned Isla had left for Chicago. I remember the look of anguish on his face and how the panic had almost pulled him under, and I suck in a deep breath. “Then you take care of her like you promised. If it can’t be me anymore, then I’m trusting you to take care of her.”

I hadn’t understood what it meant, but I do now and Waylon does too. I was trusting him to keep her heart safe—even from me.

“I’m gonna go,” I say, turning to Rhea, and I know she wants me to stay. She wants me to stay and let her help, but I don’t fucking know how. Dropping a kiss on her cheek, I watch as her eyelids fall closed. Stepping back, I turn toward my car because I won’t be able to stomach seeing the disappointment when she opens them.

36

RHEA

We watch as Sorren and Marlee take off in opposite directions. I want to go to them—both of them—but I can’t get my feet to move.

“So about breakfast…” Hank says earning an elbow to the stomach from Isla and a scowl from Waylon.

“Too soon, big brother,” I whisper to Hank before wrapping my arms around Waylon. Heartbreak and devastation are written all over his face as Marlee disappears from view.

“I don’t know how to fix this,” Waylon says quietly.

“Together, Waylon,” Isla replies pointedly. “We are going to fix it together.”

“But how?”

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