Page 76 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Is that hideous woman, Dorothy, still giving you the run around?”

She swiped her palms together. “Everything is a game to her.”

“You do realize as long as she has her claws sunk into your emotions she’s going to keep bleeding you dry.” Damon smirked.

“I do, but I care for Ruby. I don’t want her to be stuck in the middle. I can’t begin to explain how terrible it has been for her since the accident.”

“The one where her drunk mother almost killed them both?”

“I had truly believed Dorothy woke up and saw her second chance after almost dying, but I fear she’s back to her old self.” Sadie crumbled her napkin.

“Honey, let me tell you a story. Addiction is a parasite. It’ll keep sucking until a person is only a shell and then it feeds off loved ones. She hasn’t reached rock bottom yet. I know because I watched my brother gradually sink further into a dark abyss until he eventually took one last hit.” Sadness crawled across Damon’s expression and he pushed his coffee cup away. “Trust me, Dorothy is the only one who can save herself.”

Sinking back into the cushion, Sadie looked through the window and saw nothing but her own misery. There didn’t seem to be any end or beginning. She had no clue what more Dorothy wanted from her, but she supposed she’d find out sooner rather than later.

Two days later, Sadie was about to find out what her cousin wanted when she was pushing Ruby on the swing at the park.

“Higher! Higher!” The six-year-old giggled.

Leah waved at Sadie from across the playground. “Ruby, I need to go speak with my friend for a minute. Do you want to go play? Just stay in sight, okay?”

“Okay.” Ruby jumped off the swing and ran for the slide.

Sadie noticed how Ruby favored her right foot, the one that had been mangled in the accident. Dragging her attention away, Sadie met Leah on the park bench. “I hope Dorothy has finally spoken with you.”

“It’s interesting how the woman is too busy to speak to me until she has something she wants to say. I don’t know how you haven’t given up yet.”

“Ruby needs some stability in her life.” Sadie searched for the little girl who was now in the sandbox. Her long, wild curls were caught up in the wind, exposing the deep, pink scar from her brow to her chin.

“True. You’re good with her, Sadie. Not everyone would have stuck by her side like you have.” Leah specialized in adoption and had seen the worst cases. “She looks like she’s doing better.”

“Day-by-day. You have news, don’t you?” She prepared herself for what was coming.

“I’m sorry, Sadie. I hate to even relay what Dorothy is asking now.”

“Has she changed her mind?” Sadie’s heart plunged into her stomach.

“No, not exactly.” Leah’s frown grew. “She said she’ll sign her rights over to you when you get married.”

After absorbing what Leah said, Sadie laughed, but it came out as a cackle. “What? I’m not even engaged, or dating.”

“Something tells me that’s the whole idea.”

“She can’t be serious.”

Leah shifted on the bench as if she worked up the nerve to say the next words. “I wish she wasn’t, but I’m afraid she is.”

“Did she explain why?”

“Something about wanting Ruby to be in a better position than she’s in now.Blah. Blah. Blah.”

“So now she’s worried about what’s best for her daughter after she almost killed her?” Once the words were out, Sadie realized how harsh they sounded. “I shouldn’t say that. It’s not right. I just don’t understand. I can provide Ruby with everything she needs. I’ve been by her side for all these months.” She felt the sting of tears in the back of her eyes, but she refused to cry, refused to weaken. Dorothy was trying to bleed Sadie dry, just like Damon said.

“Look, Sadie. Look!” Ruby danced in the sand. The little girl was so happy, oblivious to what she’d face in the future.

“Fabulous.” Sadie clapped.

“I’m on your side, Sadie,” Leah said. “You know that, but as your attorney I must advise you on what I professionally think is best. If you meet this stipulation, there’ll be another, and another, until you have nothing left to give.”

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