“Which covered—and still cover—my front yard,” Sky cut in.
“About me trimming her tree—”
“Butcheringmy tree.”
“But look at us now.”
“Look at us now.” Humor actually sparkled in Sky’s eyes before she rose to her feet. “I’m going to clear the table.”
“I’ll help.” Becket stood.
Esther helped as well, and the three of them moved around the kitchen while Roger and Tony discussed the last church sermon at the table.
“So,” Esther started, “your family’s been in Amber Ridge for quite a while, haven’t they?”
“Yes, ma’am. My siblings and I were all born here, and my mother still lives in the same house.”
“And your father?”
“He passed away when I was young. A stroke.”
Sky’s gaze flashed to him, and Esther gently rested a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago. My mom’s pretty great. And she’d never leave Amber Ridge.”
“People don’t tend to leave here,” Esther murmured.
Becket looked at Sky. “Why’dyouleave?”
Sky paused, her hand still on the dish she was rinsing. “I wanted to live somewhere else for a while, where no one knew me.” Her gaze flickered briefly to her mother before returning to the dishes.
Ah, it wasn’t just about the town. It was about getting space from her parents and their expectations. She didn’t have to explain further for him to get it. She loved them, but they were clearly a lot, both assuming they knew what was best for her.
“She deserted us for a while,” Esther chided. “But we’re glad she’s home. It’s been hard for our Skylar to leave what happened in Cheyenne back in Cheyenne.”
Sky’s head whipped around. “Mom!”
“What? I’m sure you’ve told him about the fires.”
Becket frowned, his attention fixed on Sky. “Fires?”
She gave her mother what could only be described as a warning glare. “Mom,stop. Not tonight.”
“But, honey—”
“I’m going to take out the trash.” She grabbed the bag, which wasn’t even half full, from the trash can and quickly left through the back door.
Esther came to stand beside him and lowered her voice. “I think I should tell you something that I’m sure Sky hasn’t told you. Skylar thinks she’s…well, she thinks she’s cursed.”
Becket frowned and tracked Sky through the window as she crossed the yard toward the big trash can.
“A lot happened in Cheyenne, and if you can convince her that the universeisn’tout to get her, then we’d be grateful.”
What the hell was she talking about?
“What happened in Cheyenne?” It was probably low of him to ask her mother and not Sky, but he was sure if he asked her, she wouldn’t give him the entire story. Hell, she probably wouldn’t give him anything.
“There was a—”
