Page 78 of Here With Me

Sadie spun around. “That won’t —”

“I know you like to do things on your own, but I’m here, Sadie. I can help.”

“You don’t understand.”

Romee shoved her hands on her hips. “I would understand if you’d let me in. If you’d let me help.”

If it were that simple. If telling Romee all about her problems, if just speaking them out loud would solve them, she’d shout them from the rooftop. “There’s nothing you can do.”

“I can help. Look—I’m sorry I almost burned the house down when I was eight. It wasn’t your fault, and you need to stop holding it over my head.”

“I don’t?—”

“You do. And seriously, you have to let that go. It wasn’t your fault, and I’m a grown woman now. I haven’t started a fire in the kitchen in twenty years. Let me help with this.” Romee stomped closer, reaching for her shoulder with a strength that surprised Sadie. Her sister had grown up, turned into a successful musician, and a competent and caring woman.

“I’m sorry. I have hung on to that. You’re right though, we’ve both grown up a lot since then. But even so, this has nothing to do with not wanting to ask for help. Even with help, things are gone. The store, my home, possibly even Lottie.”

“Lottie is safe. That is over.”

“I’m talking about Doris contesting the adoption.”

“What? Doris is contesting the adoption? You didn’t tell me this?” Romee stepped forward and gripped Sadie’s arms, shaking her slightly. “Okay, that’s it. We’re getting out of here.”

Romee linked arms with Sadie and pulled her through the door, into the morning sun. She wiggled her fingers for the keys. Sadie handed them over, and Romee locked the door.

“It doesn’t really matter if we close it. The front window is wide open.”

“We’ll have it boarded up soon, but first we’re talking.” Romee grabbed Sadie’s hand again and continued to drag her around to the back of the store, up the wooden steps, and into her apartment. “Go sit on the couch. I’ll make coffee. But we’re talking about this. Let’s talk about the adoption.”

Sadie settled into the sofa so she could see the room and wrapped her favorite throw around herself. Soon, Romee came out with two cups of coffee, handing one to Sadie.

“Doris and Patrick are contesting.”

“Wait. Hold that thought.” Romee pulled her phone out and pressed a few buttons. A few seconds later, Anna’s voice filled the room. “Hang on, I’m connecting Toby.”

Sadie sipped her coffee as she listened to her brother join the call.

“Okay. Sadie is here with me. You both heard that Lottie was lost last night. And about the accident at the store. But what you haven’t heard—” Romee lifted an eyebrow. “They haven’t heard, have they?”

Sadie shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone. Well, except David.”

“Told us what?” Anna. Direct and to the point.

“Doris and Patrick are contesting the adoption hearing. And now that I can’t pay the bank the money the store owes, I won’t have a job, a home, or anything. I’m not sure that the case will be open-and-shut.”

Silence.

Sadie looked at Romee, who chewed on her bottom lip and glanced at the phone between them.

“I really messed up, you guys. And on top of it all, David and I—” What? Broke up? It was so much more than a simple breakup. “He went back to Costa Rica.”

“Idiot. Leopards don’t change?—”

“That doesn’t help, Anna.” Toby cut off her sister’s tirade. “David isn’t a leopard, and I am guessing him leaving wasn’t just on him. Just like I am guessing him leaving last time wasn’t only on him. Am I right?”

“What do you know?” Romee and Anna practically said in unison.

“Nothing.” Toby sat in silence as if waiting for Sadie to fill in the blanks, but she couldn’t. Not right now. “Sadie, did you ever tell him you wanted him to stay?”

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