And with that, the case is closed. We change the subject to Finn’s personal training business and his angst overhaving another few weeks before the adult soccer league opens for spring. Then he updates us on every tiny detail about the horses, including Thistle’s imminent need for a visit from the girls, which she reportedly wouldn’t stop talking to him about this morning.
Weirdo.
But I can’t stop thinking about the simple statement Dec made. It shouldn’t hit me so hard, but him saying he wants to do something nice for Evie makes me realize I’ve been a right ass to Sam.
What I should be doing is making her life easier.
I should be trying to help her feel safe and at home. I should be helping her. I saw the police report for abuse even if I didn’t open it—I have at least a small insight to what she’s dealt with. She’s here in Juniper View, and she’s not passing through. She’s digging in.
My suspicion of her was at best misplaced and at worst, unkind.
The reality is I’ve done what I so often do—I’ve presumed guilt rather than innocence with her. I’ve launched into protective mode instead of reaching out and being someone who’s in a position to help her.
I can’t offer her much, but I can be kind. So, I resolve to do just that from now on.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sam
Tears stream from my eyes as Evie cackles and I am laughing so hard, I’m silent.
“That baby just looked at me with his big blue eyes and made this little sound, then said, ‘Mama!’ and went on smearing. Like it wasn’t two o’clock in the morning and he wasn’t diaper diving.” She shakes her head. “I honestly could’ve thrown up right there. There should be some kind of reward for not losing your damn mind to your own child painting with feces.”
“Noooo.” I cover my eyes, but I’m still laughing. Her little boy is so cute and innocent, but apparently, he’s a little tyrant when it comes to testing her.
“Anyway,” she exhales long and slow. “Declan—Dr. Ryan.” She shakes her head. “He could tell I was exhausted, so he brought me lunch and suggested I take a nap in his office instead of a regularlunch break.”
My eyes widen and she rushes to explain. “The clinic closes for an hour so everyone can break at the same time. Since he’s often the only doctor anymore, there’s no point in staying open if we can’t see clients. There’s just no demand for it. So everyone eats in the break room, or goes out, whatever. And he has a couch in his office. If I hadn’t been so desperate, I wouldn’t have said yes. And he made sure I knew, before he even mentioned it, that he would be gone the entire break.AndI insisted on paying him back for the food.”
The way she ducks her head gives me pause. “Hey, I don’t blame you. He could offer you a break when you needed one, and he solved the no groceries problem by bringing lunch. I’m sorry you were so exhausted, but I’m really glad he did that.”
She nods but still doesn’t meet my eyes. “Yeah. Me, too.”
“Then what’s…” When she finally looks up, I see it. A kind of misery I didn’t see coming is etched in the lines of her brow and the way her mouth turns down. “Oh, honey.”
She sniffs. “Yeah. Pretty pathetic, right? I fall for the first guy who’s nice to me like some kind of charity case.”
“Nah. In that case, from what you told me, you would’ve fallen for Grant, right? He literally helped you have your baby, and you’ve mentioned several times how nice he is.” I raise a brow because there is no denying she’s been on a mission to make sure I know what a good man Grant Ryan is.
“True.”
“See? So it’s not just ‘the first man.’ It sounds like Declan is different.”
She flops back on the couch and covers her face. “Heissodifferent. From anyone I’ve ever known. And it’s killing me.”
“It’s not. And who knows, maybe he?—”
“No. Honestly, no. I cannot afford to think like that. I’m sorry I even let on about this to you.” Her brows pinch in desperation. “Please don’t mention it again. My pathetic little heart needs less than no encouragement to just plummet straight into the ground with this one, and I don’t think I can take it after…”
After fleeing from her abusive fiancé. After having her baby on the side of the road instead of in a hospital because her ex attacked and kidnapped her. After rebuilding herself and her life, but as a single mom now.
Yeah.I get it.
I’m not a mom, but on some level, girl, do I get it.
“I promise I won’t. If anyone can understand the need to start fresh, it’s me.”
She grabs for my hand and squeezes. “You doing okay?”
