Page 147 of Rags to Royals

Well, of course. I had wondered why she hadn’t been called to the office for this altercation.

“What happened?” she asks in her usual snippy tone, pulling the strap of her purse up onto her shoulder.

“More or less just a misunderstanding. They’re both fine. On their way back to class.”

“You know, you should be more concerned?—”

I put my hand up. “I’m going to stop you right there. I’m not interested in what you think about my life, my daughter, how I’m parenting her, or even what toppings I put on my pizza, Hannah. I really don’t care what you think aboutanything,to be honest.”

I start to step around her when she says, “I don’t want Mariah anywhere near Leah.”

I turn back. “Then tell Leah to leave Mariah alone. She’s the one starting most of this.”

Hannah scoffs. “There’s no way. If Mariah is telling you that, she’s lying. But what else would I expect, growing up in that house with you and Ruby?”

I do not want to do this. I am feeling a number of emotions, including worry about Cian’s grandfather, worry about Cian and the rest of his family, and I’m already missing him. I’m also feeling restless. Having him leave so suddenly when things are very up in the air between us, feels strange. Wrong. There’s no other choice, of course. He had to go to Cara. But I am feeling discombobulated. The last thing I want to deal with is Hannah.

“Hannah, I really don’t care what you think of me, but you will not speak about my daughter or my sister in a disparaging way. I’ll admit that you know some things about me that are not good, things I’m not proud of. They’re from my past, and I’ve changed, but if you don’t see that, I can’t control that. However, you donotknow my daughter or my sister well enough to say a word about them.”

She props a hand on her hip. “I don’t need to know them. I hear all about them. I hear about Mariah from Leah and her friends. And everyone’s been hearing about Ruby over the last few days.”

Do not ask. Do not ask. Do not ask.

“Hearing what about Ruby?”

“The lies she’s been spreading about the city council and the church. “

I shake my head. “Ruby doesn’t care about the city council or the church. Whatever you’re hearing isn’t true.”

Hannah gives me a smug, bitchy smile. One I’ve given too many people, too many times.

“Really?” Hannah asks. “Ruby hasn’t told you about the gossip she’s been spreading?”

I really don’t know what this is about. Ruby can handle herself. She has friends in town. I’m sure someone overheardher talking about something and took it out of context. I do not have to get involved.

“Hannah,” I say, meeting her gaze. “I just want to tell you, and I mean this with all my heart, I hope you have the day you deserve.”

Then I turn and walk away.

When I hit the sidewalk outside, it only takes me two seconds to decide where I’m going. I’m not going to get anything done at the garage. I don’t have any cars to work on anyway and I’m far too distracted to work on any foundation business. I head home, knowing that I’m going to pull upWait ’Til I Tell Yeand see what I can find out about the king.

I let myself in through the back door and find Ruby at the kitchen table. She’s painting her toenails while listening to the podcast.

She looks up. “Oh my God. Is Cian okay?”

I toss my purse on the table. “He’s on his way to Cara.”

Ruby drops the foot she had propped on the chair seat to the floor. “Babe. I’m so sorry.”

I shake my head. “Don’t be. He had to go. Of course.”

“Yeah. And you couldn’t go with him. That would’ve been crazy.”

Yeah, of course it would’ve been. “In the midst of a potential family drama isn’t really the right time to meet everyone, you know?”

“For sure. But you saw him?”

“Yeah. He came by to say goodbye. And then I saw him again at the school.” I frown as I realize what that really means. He was on his way out of town after he said goodbye to me. I pull the chair out and sit down. “He actually turned around and came back because Mariah had a problem at school.”

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