“I’m okay. He acknowledged that he didn’t make great choices but said he didn’t feel capable of making better ones. He told me everything he gave up for money wasn’t worth it.”
He brushed some hair from her face. “And how do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure. I’m glad that he recognized what he lost five years ago. Nothing will ever change the past, but at least heacknowledged that Mom and I deserved better. That this town deserved better.”
“I’m glad you got your answers.”
“Me too.”
He cupped her neck. “What do you want to do now?”
“I amsoin need of some Sugar and Spice to lift my mood. Maybe we could take some cupcakes and iced coffees to the mountains?”
A damn perfect afternoon. “Done.”
When they were in the car and driving, Kayden shot a glance across at her. “Do you feel better after speaking to him?”
“I do, actually. I guess because he left without any explanation all those years ago, I never got any closure, but now, in a way, I have. And maybe the town will stop hating me so much because they can hate him in prison instead.”
His fingers tightened around the wheel. Jesus, he hated remembering what this town had put her through. It was getting better though, and it would keep improving.
“Were you on the phone when I came out?” she asked, reminding him of his chat with Matthews.
“Yeah, Flint Matthews called me, the farmer who bought my family home.” He felt her muscles tense but attempted to smooth them out with a graze of his thumb on the back of her hand. “He’s going to sell the property, and he asked if my brothers or I wanted to buy it from him.”
Tilly gasped. “Really?”
“Yeah. And one of us will. Or all of us. We’ll figure it out.”
“You’ll finally get your family home back.”
“We will.” He pulled into a parking spot near Sugar and Spice, then turned to face her. “I can show you the home we grew up in, where all our memories were made.”
Her features softened. “I can’t wait.”
They’d just climbed out of the car as Harry Jacobs, the local electrician, was walking past. The same man who’d intimidated Tilly at the visitors center and exploded on her the night they’d celebrated Cody’s birthday.
Jacobs stopped in front of her. “Tilly.”
Kayden moved quickly around the car to Tilly’s side and inched in front of her. “What do you want, Harry?”
The older man lifted his hands. “I’m not here to cause a scene or fight. I just…I heard about what happened with Pixie and Martin, and I want to say sorry.”
“Sorry?” Tilly asked, sounding confused.
“Yeah. It was your father who stole from me, and that’s where the blame always belonged—on him, not you. I shouldn’t have treated you like I did. It was just that when I saw you, it brought it all back and I took it out on you.”
There was a small pause before Tilly responded. “Thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll do better. And I’ll make sure my boys do better too. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Tilly nodded, and they both watched as Harry walked away.
She looked up at Kayden, smiling. “I got Harry on my side.”
“You did.”
“Maybe others will come around too.”
