Daisy laughs. “Of course she did. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Several hours later, Daisy is propped in bed in the only guest room that’s on the first floor. She argued she could remain in the pool house, but I wouldn’t be close enough to help her. The doctor agreed that she should stay off her ankle, which he proclaims to be sprained.
“Are you sure you have everything you need?” I ask when the doctor leaves.
Daisy rolls her eyes and points to the bedside table next to her. “Hmm, I’m not sure. You’ve gotten me pain medicine, three choices of drinks, half a dozen snacks, two fashion magazines, and three romance novels. I would’ve loved to see the expression on the clerk’s face when you bought them. I also have my laptop for movie-watching. I think I’m set for life.”
Her smile settles into something softer, more serious. “You didn’t need to do all that,” she breathes.
“I did. You shouldn’t have to manage alone.”
Daisy frowns. “I spent most of my life managing alone.” She avoids my eyes.
“Daisy, I…” I don’t continue. I’m not sure what to say. But the idea of her on her own, with no one to rely on, makes my chest tight. I may have been emancipated at fifteen years old, but I was never without support. I had my band and my friends. And I had my grandmother.
“Stop.” She holds out her hand. “I don’t want your pity.” She shifts her ankle, which is wrapped tightly in a bandage. “I just can’t believe I really twisted it. What are the odds?” she mumbles to herself.
“With you walking up that driveway—in those sandals? I’d say the odds were pretty damn good. We all tried to convince my grandmother to fix the uneven bricks, especially as she got older and we worried she’d hurt herself. But she liked things the way they’d always been. This place needs repairs. It’s one reason I’m here. We’re probably selling it.”
“You’d sell this?” she asks in surprise, pressing her hands to her heart. “It’s your legacy. Jesus, Ryder. First your dog, now your grandmother’s home. Aren’t you sentimental about anything?”
I run my hand through my hair, a twinge of discomfort at her words.
“It’s not just my decision. I inherited the estate with my brother. And he doesn’t want to keep it. Restoration would be a massive project, one I don’t have time for and he doesn’t want.”
She stretches out. “What’s he like?” Daisy asks. “You don’t talk about him much.”
I rub my neck. “My brother? He’s older. He and I were close when we were young. But we drifted apart when I fought with my dad and became legally emancipated.”
“You fought because your dad wanted you to quit your band, right?” she asks me, her expression hesitant.
“Yes. He wanted me to go to boarding school. We’re Blackmoors. Performing for the masses was beneath the family legacy. My brother sided with my dad.” I shake my head. “My grandmother was the only one in the family to support my music. I always came back and spent summers here. Holidays. Whenever I had a break.”
“That’s what you’re doing here this summer,” she says slowly. “You’re also here to say goodbye to this house, aren’t you?”
Daisy was always too perceptive.
“Piper’s Peak deserves to have more than just Mrs. Halle fill it. What am I going to do with this place?”
Even as I say it, my gut twists at the thought of letting the old house go.
Letting the memories go.
And now, some of those memories include Daisy.
And a ridiculous dog.
CHAPTER 10
Daisy
(TEN YEARS AGO)
Dear Diary,
Ryder and I spent the entire day together. He wrote two songs. I sewed one dress. We didn’t say much while we were working. We didn’t have to. And then he cooked us grilled cheese sandwiches while I kept him company in the kitchen, and we ate them by the pool.
It was the perfect day.
