“When I first met Lydia in rehab, she took me under her wing. At the time we didn’t know our connection to you, but she watched out for me, encouraged me, made sure I was sticking with the program.”
Jade fought the stabbing envy. Lydia had been more of a mother to him than she was to her own daughter.
“After we found out who we were, she filled me in on some things.”
“I don’t want to hear her excuses—”
“Good, because she didn’t give any. She took responsibility for everything she’d done to you.”
Sure she did. “That’s called manipulation, Logan.”
“I know manipulation. I’m an expert at it. But I get it—you can’t trust her. Just like you can’t trust me. And I understand if you don’t want to see her. I’m just glad you’re talking to me now. We’re family, Jade. I don’t want to lose that again.”
Her eyes stung.Family.As a kid, she longed for a permanent one. As an adult, she tried to make a legal one with Logan. And the one biological family member she had—that she knew of anyway— was just down the hall, hanging on to life.
Logan stood. “I told Tameka I’d get her some coffee. She’s been amazing through all this.”
Jade managed to smile. “I take it she’s your girlfriend.”
He nodded. “We met at work about a month ago. She’s a cashier and is going to UALR to get her degree in education. She has to go to work at three, but she’s been here for me as much as she can.”
“Then you’d better make her the best cup of coffee she’s ever had.”
Logan grinned. “When do you go back to Clementine?”
She frowned, then remembered she hadn’t told him where she was when she called him from the airport. “I’m not. I’m heading to Atlanta, probably tonight.”
“Oh.” His smile dimmed. “What about Seb?”
Her heart pinched. “He’s... working.”
“Hopefully you two can get together soon. He’s a cool guy.” His smile was back. “After the doctor shows up, Tameka and I will take you out before you go. There’s a great restaurant out in the Promenade that does Mediterranean fusion. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds great. What’s a promenade?”
“Outdoor shopping center. A lot has changed since the last time you were here.” He left the room.
Jade stared at the picture of watercolor lilies on the opposite wall. She could be in Clementine right now, talking to Evelyn Margot, eating chicken tenders at the Clementine Diner, taking another drive in the country.Being with Sebastian.
She shook her head. She could do none of those things ever again.I did it to myself.
After a few more minutes, she got up. She had a few hours still before she, Logan, and Tameka went to lunch, and she tried to figure out what to do. She could go back to the hotel and do some work. There was always work to be done. Or she could go shopping. Hit a café for a cappuccino. Take a drive. Find a car wash, forsure. She definitely needed to decompress. There were plenty of things she could do to fill the time.
She left and turned to go back to the elevator. She had taken three steps when she halted. Looked over her shoulder. Why couldn’t she leave?
Regrets.She had enough to last a lifetime.
Jade drew in a deep breath... and went to Lydia’s room.
* * *
Plink. Plink. Plink.
Seb stared at the slowly moving river and tossed another stone. He had no idea how long he’d been here this morning. He didn’t care either. After he left the Clementine Inn yesterday, he drove to his cabin, intending just to spend a few hours there and go back to work. He had another column to write, since the July Fourth one he’d impulsively penned was too early to go to print. Then there was the article about the fire, and he also needed to get things set up for Flora when she came in the next morning. At least he didn’t have to search for the ledger anymore.
Plink. Plink. Plink.
But he didn’t go back to Clementine. He turned off his phone for the night, then turned it on again to text Evelyn Margot that he was taking a few days off and she would be in charge ofThe Timesuntil he returned. He hit Send and turned the phone off again.
