Page 64 of Burning For You

It still blew her mind that the Lancasters adopted her, taking away an almost free ride to college for her. Yet they paid for her education.

Not right away, they didn’t. They paid half, helped her secure loans and made sure she had what she needed every single day.

When it was all done and the degree was in her hand, she’d never been so proud of herself.

Scared of the debt, but proud and hopeful she was going to make something of herself.

And one year after working full time and making it on her own, they cleared her debt.

She didn’t want to think it was a test. To see if she was taking advantage of them.

She’d only been in their lives seven years at that point. Maybe she would have cut and run.

Though she hadn’t.

And they reaffirmed they were making her one of them by paying it off.

Part of her would always feel indebted to them, but not monetarily.

Not anymore.

“I’m not turning it into that. I still want to know. This person reached out to me. They want attention, obviously, and now they are getting it.”

“That’s right. But you need to stay safe. And by not telling the public this person reached out, they aren’t getting nearly the attention they might hope for.”

“Between Keegan and Tate, my ears are bleeding. Then Holden called. I think he felt he had to out of principle because Corbin told him. I hung up with Corbin five minutes before your call. I’m sure I’ll hear from Brenna tomorrow. I think she’s working now. Did you guys all pick a time to ride my ass?”

The laughter on the other line wasn’t lost on her. “Well then. It’s time to talk to your father.”

She groaned. “I’m good. I really am.”

“Jim, it’s Skye.”

She moved to the couch and flopped. “Hi, Dad. I’ll be careful. I didn’t ask for this. It landed in my lap. But aren’t you proud of me for putting great stories out and maybe I can help catch the person?”

“Don’t pull that with me. I’ve got too many kids and have lived with your mother for too long to fall for it.”

She grinned. Not that he could see it. “It was worth a try.”

“And not a very good one. You need to be careful.”

“That’s it. That’s all you’re going to say to me?”

“I believe you’ve gotten an earful from everyone else.”

She heard her mother shout in the background. “Coward.”

“Mom thought you’d say more,” she said.

“She thought wrong. You don’t need to be beat over the head with it. Just know we are all here and all watching.”

She groaned even louder now.

That was worse.

And when her mother laughed over that comment, she realized that had been part of it all along.

“Guess coming back came with that risk.”