Page 73 of Hearts on the Mend

It’s quiet for a minute between us. “So where does that leave us?”

“It means you finish the construction work I hired you to do, and Ruby and I will keep to ourselves.”

It’s like a fire catching the wind wrong and dying instead of spreading. Keep to ourselves.

“Is that what you want?”

She stills before aggressively sawing the sourdough into a thick slice. “It doesn’t matter what I want. He’s not going to take my daughter.”

“Let him fucking try…”

She slams down the knife, rage simmering in her usually bright eyes. “I’m not willing to take a chance, and I sure as hell am not going to count on you when you’ve made it nothing but clear you’re leaving.”

“Why are you mad I’m leaving? You keep telling me you’re selling the house. So what the fuck is the difference?”

“I’ve done this once, and it sucked. You don’t want to talk about it—fine—but I saw the burns on your back. I’m not holding my breath anymore every time the man I love walks out the door because he gets off chasing something dangerous.”

The air squeezes out of my lungs, my ears ringing in the answering silence. “Did you…”

“I need to think of Ruby. I need to protect her. And I’m not going to let Matt take her away because you crashed into our lives. We’re leaving. All of us. This is only the step in between.”

“And where are you going to land next?” I ask, skipping over the bomb she just dropped between us.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, grabbing the mayo and smearing it onto the bread. Cassie tosses it down, dashes to the fridge, and pulls out the sliced ham and cheese, then throws that on the counter before sighing. “Maybe near my mom. I bet Ruby would love to learn to ride. Maybe…”

“When’s the last time you decided for you? What do you want, Cassie? I’m not convinced it’s going to be New York or Oregon or Maine or wherever you decide to go. You’re running, and you’re hiding behind Ruby because you’re afraid of trying for something good.”

Quiet stretches between us before Cassie unzips the plastic bag of deli ham, sets it out, and folds a few pieces on one half of the sandwich.

I pinch my brow. “I can make my own. Don’t want to intrude. Don’t want to cross the employer and employee line.”

“Don’t be an asshole. I can make you a sandwi⁠—”

Ember leaps up, drags the package of ham backward in a flash and scrambles off the table as the lunchmeat splats against the wooden floor.

“Fuck!” Cassie whacks her palms against the counter.

I almost laugh. Almost. But Cassie’s back is turned toward me, and I can tell by the way she’s holding herself that she’s about to cry.

“Don’t worry. I’m heading out.” I grab the truck keys and my jacket, closing the front door. It’s not until I jump into the truck that I whack my hands against the steering wheel. I fold forward, resting my forehead, and stay like that, dragging in a steadying breath because I don’t trust myself to drive yet.

“Fuck.”

Chapter 24

Cassie

It’s a miracle I live each day like it’s Groundhog Day, and yet I still manage to always be late.

“The animals were all scary, and no one would play with them, but then I stayed with them…” Ruby prattles on as she stands outside my closet as I hook up the green bra I should have thrown out two years ago. “…But then another monster… wait, Mom, are you listening?”

“Yep. Are you dressed yet?”

“Yes! Anyway, back to my dream…”

I bite back my correction. It’s too damn early to be on her case, but I’m always aware of the likelihood of her outfit being anything remotely fitting for what should be worn outside the house. Last week, she insisted on two tiaras and the musty life jacket she found in my aunt’s basement. Insisted it was a puffy vest.

And also, how can a six-year-old wake up and never stop talking? I don’t think science has studied that enough, but I do know I’m at my limit, and Matt is already running late. I’m one hundred percent going to be late for my shift if I don’t get out the door soon.