“Dutton. Last night. He came home unwell, and it seems the entire family now knows about Mr. Richford's extracurricular activities.”
Dad just stares at me.
“Dutton just found out about it last night. As did I.”
He doesn't say anything, so I don’t let silence fill the space. I keep talking.
“It’s not Dutton's fault that Mom and Henry made the choice they did, and it’s wrong of you to hold that against him.”
“I don’t hold that against him, Brooke. I hold his past crimes against him.”
“Crimes he committed to retaliate against his dad after he caught him cheating on his mom.”
My father's eyes narrow in confusion.
“It’s really Dutton’s story to tell, but you won’t know it unless you give him a chance.”
“I can’t, Brooke.”
“Yes, you can.”
“No, I can't."
“Yes, you?—”
“I can’t lose you to a Richford the way I lost her!” he snaps. “She left me for him, and then when he didn't want her, she left us all. And I blame Henry, I really do. I can’t … I can't go through it again.”
“You’re not going to lose me to a Richford, Dad. You're going to lose me because you gave up on me when I needed you. You didn’t check on me or console me. You didn’t trust me and my judgment, and you sure as hell didn’t trust me to stick around. I’m in love with Dutton, but I’m also not going anywhere. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not Mom.”
I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“Sheriff.”
My father and I both look at Kimmy.
Her face morphs into worry.
“There is a call for a disturbance at the lodge.”
“The lodge?” I repeat as if I didn’t hear her right.
She nods. “It’s between Dutton and his father.”
“Goddamnit.” My father groans and then heads for the door.
“Get moving, Brooke. You’re coming with me. We aren’t done talking yet.”
I’m stunned. I never thought he’d say those words to me.
A smile touches my lips.
We might not be done talking, but he’s been listening. And for once, he’s not telling me to go home.
I rush behind him and climb into the passenger side of his truck before he can change his mind.
“I …” is all he says as we start the five-minute drive to the lodge.
It’s literally nothing, but the way he looks over at me says more than enough.
