“Yes, but she had to move here?—”
“No. She didn’t. She already lived in Winter Lake. Lived here her whole life, actually.”
“But…”
“Your mother’s family is from here. Your parents moved here just after you were born to take care of your mother’s aunt. The house you have lived in your whole life belonged to your mother’s parents. Your grandparents. Bethany was your grandfather’s sister.”
What he’s telling me is my history, and I know none of it. Know none of the people he’s speaking about except my aunt. Shaking my head, I say, “I didn’t know any of that.”
“I figured.” He reaches over with one hand and places it over mine where they’re twisted together in my lap. “There’s more.”
“Okay.” My thoughts are running in every direction. What does any of this mean? And why did Aunt Bethany never tell me?
“You own the house Warren kicked you out of.”
I open my mouth but no words come out; my brain is an open void of nothing.
“And there are a couple of trust funds left by your parents.”
I own a house? Have trust funds?
“Riley. You have the means to do whatever you want. You don’t need to rely on me or anyone else ever again.”
“But how do I get them?”
“First, you need to contact the law firm who dealt with your parents’ estate. That’s easy enough—they’re in Winter Lake. Once the storm clears, you can head into town and get things sorted out.”
“Will you come with me?”
“No.” He swallows hard, his gaze dropping from mine for a moment. “I can’t leave here.”
“Oh.”
With his eyes back on mine, I can see how much he hates not being able to say yes. I’d never force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. I’ve lived too long doing what others told me to turn around and expect it from someone else. It doesn’t stop me from wanting him with me. I trust him. I probably shouldn’t, but I do.
“It’s okay. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Saying it out loud doesn’t make me believe it, but I need to. I need to learn to stand on my own.
“You will be better than fine. And I’ll ask my uncle to go with you.”
“Oh no, you don’t need to do that,” I say in spite of the relief rushing through me.
“I want to make sure you’re okay, and Uncle Granger knows everyone in Winter Lake. Or enough of them to know who you need to talk to. Possibly the police chief first. I’m not sure. But we’ve got time to work it out.” He tips his head toward the window. “This storm looks like it will keep us here a day or two yet.”
I need to think about everything he’s told me. Think about what it means for my future. But one thing is clear.
Whatever that future is, Felix is staying here.
FELIX
Having Riley in my home is torture.
After what I discovered and told her yesterday, she’s been quiet. Too quiet.
Compared to before she knew about her past, it’s like living in a tomb.
I can’t blame her for pulling into herself. I laid some big things on her. Basically told her the life she’d lived was a lie. The worst part is the discomfort she lived with could have been avoided. If only Bethany Sanders had been a better woman.
I’m supposed to check in with Uncle Granger soon but after this morning’s call, I’m not sure I want to. One thing about my uncle is he doesn’t wait around. If something needs doing, it gets done, and he took his promise to call some people to find out what he could about Riley seriously.
