Page 65 of Montana Rain

“Yup.”

Ava narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t sound suspicious at all.”

“I’ll tell you in a second. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“No.” Mom gestured to the living room. “We’re just about to eat dinner. Do you want some?”

“I’m okay.” I rested my hand on my stomach. All day, I hadn’t been hungry. It would hit me later, I was sure. “Thank you, though.”

“Okay.” Ava wheeled herself back to the special table that fit over her chair. “Spill the details. Why are you here?”

I laughed, sitting in a chair where I could see them both. “You guys act like it’s some kind of miracle I’m here.”

Mom gave me a look. “Well, it is. A little.”

Making a note to make sure I saw and called them enough that they didn’t act like I was a ghost, I sighed. “I wish it were better news. Do you remember last time, when I came home from the hotel and told you there was a woman being chased?”

“Yes,” my mother said. “Why?”

“She wasn’t all right. She was murdered.”

Ava gasped. Mom looked pale, and I told them the story of what had happened, playing down the dangerous details as much as I could. I also avoided telling them about Cole’s involvement, as he would come in at the end.

“So, I’m here. I gave the drive to the FBI, and, in theory, I’m all clear. Though I can’t say I’ll be sleeping through the night for a while.”

Mom shook her head. “God, Rayne. I’m sorry for making you feel bad about being here.”

“No,” I said. “That’s on me. I shouldn’t make you guys feel like I’m not a presence in your lives. It’s my fault.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Rayne? Do us all a favor and don’t take on another thing you think is your fault. It’s not, and it’s exhausting. We love you, we want to see you more, and while we understand why you feel the way you do, we don’t feel that way.”

I gaped at my sister, shocked at her words, necessary as they were. “I—”

“I know you think that this is your fault.” She gestured to her chair. “I know you think Dad is your fault too.”

When I glanced at my mother, she nodded. “And you know life doesn’t work that way. So, can we all please stop pretending like you have to keep your distance in this messed-up version of you trying to keep us safe? I’d rather just see you.”

Tears filled my eyes, along with shame I’d work through later. “I’m sorry, squirt. I should know better.”

“I’m in therapy too,” Ava said. “So is Mom. Therapists have problems, Rayne. Everyone has problems. But I’m done ignoring the wheelchair-shaped elephant in the room.”

I laughed in spite of myself, tears running down my face. “I really am sorry. I’m still working on it, I promise.”

“We know,” Mom said. “We can tell. Still.”

Taking one deep breath in and letting it out, I bowed my head. “I’m hearing you loud and clear.”

“Good. I expect you to keep up your end of it, though. I’ll call your ass out on avoidance.”

Looking at my sister, I appreciated the young woman she’d turned into. There was nothing stopping her, including her disability—and including me. “You got it. I actually have something else to tell you along those same lines,” I said. “I met someone, and as hard as I tried to push him away, he got through. He’s here with me, and I would love for you to meet him. I left him at the hotel because I didn’t want to spring the ‘Mafia coming after me’ thing and a guy at the same time.”

Ava’s face lit up. “Oh my god, yes. It’s about fucking time.”

“Language,” Mom said, and Ava ignored her.

“What’s his name? What does he do? When can we meet him?”

Wiping away what remained of the tears, I smiled. “His name is Cole. He’s an FBI agent, though this isn’t the way I met him, and if you want to, you can meet him tomorrow.”

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