Page 45 of Rags to Royals

It has the feel of a new episode in an ongoing drama.

I look at Henry. He just shakes his head. I sigh. Do I want to go over there? Absolutely. Will it draw even more attention to Scarlett? Of course. But does it gnaw at my gut that she’s standing there,alone, facing off with this woman trying to defend her daughter? It sure fucking does.

“Henry,” I say quietly.

“No. You won’t help right now,” he says. “This isn’t new.”

“But—”

“Cian, just wait.”

“But Leahneedsto call out lying,” Hannah says. “You know that. Or youshouldknow that, anyway. She can’t just look the other way when someone is doing something wrong and sinful.”

I can see Scarlett’s eye roll from four tables away.

“Seriously?” she asks. “Mariah’s soul isn’t Leah’s responsibility. And not only are you judgingMariahunfairly, but you’re putting a lot of pressure on Leah.”

“Of course Mariah’s soul is Leah’s responsibility,” Hannah exclaims loudly. “It’s all of our responsibility.” She looks at the two women sitting with her. They both nod. She even casts her glance around the diner. “Wehave to look out for her when she’s stuck with the…influences she has. That’s what being acommunityis all about.” She gives Scarlett a sly smile. “Your father spoke directly to the youth group about it, in fact.”

Scarlett’s face gets pale and she straightens slowly. “Excuse me?”

Her tension, the shock on her face, makes me straighten as well.

“No, Cian,” Henry says firmly.

“She’s not okay.”

“She’s tough.”

“She shouldn’t have to be tough.” Dammit. This is her hometown. She’s talking about her daughter to a fellow mom. This should be hercommunitybut it’s clear that what Hannahis talking about is not at all what I think of when I think of that word. And it’s obviously not what Scarlett wants.

Hannah goes on. “Your father said that our kids can have a special influence for good on lost and confused kids.”

“Mariah isn’t lost or confused,” Scarlett says. Her fists are now balled at her sides.

“Well of courseyoudon’t think so. But I think we’re going to listen to our pastor.”

“Did he use her name?” Scarlett demands.

Hannah smiles. “Of course. She’s the prime example of someone that our kids can intervene with. Itpainshim to watch his own granddaughter reject the church and so blatantly lie, brag, and try to elevate herself with these false narratives.”

I’m scowling now, my lunch entirely forgotten as my gut tightens.

“Itpainshim?” Scarlett’s voice rises.

“What the fuck is going on?” I hiss to Henry.

“Scarlett and Ruby’s father is the pastor of the big church here in town.”

“What?”

“Their biological father. He didn’t raise them. He was never married to their mom.”

“He isinvestedin Mariah’s future and well-being,” Hannah says. “He’ll do whatever it takes.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Scarlett asks.

“For instance, the first one in the youth group to get Mariah to church gets a hundred dollars,” Hannah says. She looks smug.

---