She wadded up the tissue and tossed it on the bed next to her. “That I’m going to screw up. That I’m going to screwthemup.”
“Do you lovethem?”
“Of course Ido.”
“Then I’m pretty sure you can’t screw them up.Next?”
She sighed and tilted her head back, unsure whether Bree’s dismissiveness was helpful or not. “Where are we going to live? We can’t live at the rescue in my little apartment and I refuse to stay at Sarah’s. The area isn’t safe and the schools suck. And that’s another thing.” She threw up a hand. “How do I even begin researchingschools?”
“Well, the schools in this district aregood.”
“Okay. But I can’t afford a house in thisarea.”
Bree bit her lip. “You could if you rented myhouse.”
Her brows pinched together. “What?”
“I was going to tell you this afternoon while we were getting the food ready, but Jase and I are moving in together. To hishouse.”
“Oh my God! When did thathappen?”
“The day after Gran’sbirthday.”
“You mean the day after you freakedout?”
Bree rolled her eyes. “Yes, the day after I freakedout.”
Denise hugged her. “I’m so happy foryou.”
“Thanks.” Bree squeezed back, then released her. “But that means I need to get a renter.” She shrugged. “I’d rather rent to you than to somestranger.”
She leaned back. “I can’t afford the rent on thishouse.”
Bree gave her a balefullook.
“Bree.”
“Denise.”
She knew that look. Sometimes the woman could be even more stubborn than she was. “You’re not going to let this go, areyou?”
“No. The house is perfect for you and the kids. And it saves me having to hire a management company because I know you’ll take care ofit.”
Sucking up her pride, she gave Bree a small smile. “Thankyou.”
“You’re welcome. All that was superficial. You’d have figured it out on your own given enough time.” She tilted her head, her gaze searching. “Tell me why you’re really scared.” Her voice was low. She was going to force Denise to sayit.
To give voice to her greatestfear.
“What if…?” She swallowed and shifted her gaze away. “There’s still a lot of darkness inside me. I still have nightmares where I’m interrogatingsomeone.”
“Okay?”
“It scares me. That I still have them. That, somewhere inside me, that person still exists. That I’m still capable of doing thosethings.”
Bree leaned forward. “You are a long, long way from that ever happening again,Denise.”
“Am I though? What does it say about me that I could even do that to another human being? I’m not a goodperson.”
