“I grew up on a farm, the oldest of four children.I’d been taking care of my siblings and mucking out stalls for as long as I could remember.My parents were staunchly religious, and incredibly strict.I felt like a servant.I couldn’t wait to leave.”
“Where did you go?”
“A bunch of different places.Tulsa, Kansas City, Nashville.Unfortunately, it wasn’t the great escape I’d envisioned.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I got married too young.I broke free of one cage and flew right into another.”Tripp had been far more controlling than her parents.He’d grown crueler over time, tightening his grip on her.
Wade’s brows rose.“How long were you married?”
“Long enough to regret it.”
“Was he a good man?”
She avoided the question.It felt like a bad omen to discuss Tripp, as if speaking his name aloud would summon his demon.
“How old are you, really?”
Meredith rose to her feet, and the water bottle fell out of her waistband.It flopped on the kitchen floor with a heavy slosh.Wade followed the trajectory before making his way back up, examining her soft pajamas and thin top.Her breasts were nothing spectacular, but he appeared transfixed by them.
“You said you didn’t want to start anything,” she reminded him.
He looked away, his neck flushed.
Butterflies swarmed her stomach as she picked up the water bottle and set it near the sink.She didn’t turn around for several seconds; she was afraid he’d see the longing on her face.“Your mother told me about Billy.”
He went quiet for a moment.“What did she say?”
“That he died in November.”
Wade didn’t respond to this statement.
“She’s grieving.”
“She drinks too much.She always has.”
“What’s your goal for her, Wade?Do you expect her to get sober?”
“She needs to take better care of herself.”
“And how will you make her do that?”
His gaze narrowed.“I’ll find a way.”
“Do you support her financially?”
“You know I don’t.”
She gave him a measured look.
“What do you suggest?Patting her on the head and partying with her?”
“I suggest talking to her.Connecting with her.”
He rose from his chair.“We don’t connect.”
“Why not?”
