Page 125 of The Lilac River

I looked at Nash who was reading the will again. At the name Emily Miller. At the signature that changed everything.

“Should someone check on Wilder?” I asked.

“I’ll go, and get the drinks, too,” Gunner said. “Bourbon?”

“Don’t you have poker?” Nash asked.

“One drink,” Gunner replied. “Then we’re gone. Leave you two lovebirds alone.”

I blushed as he left, but Nash was already watching me.

“Christ, you’re cute,” he said softly. “But beautiful with it.”

His arm slipped around my waist, and I melted into him as he pulled me onto his lap.

“You know, despite everything… I feel good. Lighter. Like we’ve finally broken the chains.”

“You really think so?” I asked, brushing my fingers over his stubble.

“I do.” His voice was sure. “We’re free, Lila. We can finally move forward. Build something that’s ours.”

And I believed him.

Maybe for the first time, I let myself believe it.

The door opened again, and Wilder and Gunner stepped back inside.

“We’ve decided against bourbon, we need clear heads for poker, so,” Gunner pointed at us, “before this becomes some Nicholas Sparks scene, maybe we should talk about next steps?”

“Tomorrow,” Nash replied. “Tonight, go win some poker. I’m staying right here with my girl.”

“What if Dad notices the missing stuff?” Wilder asked.

“He won’t,” Nash answered assured. “We hide it. We act normal. No different than yesterday.”

“And if he figures it out?”

“We deal with it. But first, we get legal advice. And second, we show up at the next town meeting and watch it blow up in his face.”

The idea of confronting him in public made my stomach drop.

“What if he brings up my dad?” I whispered. “If it all comes out…”

Nash took my hands. “Lila. He can’t hurt you. Not anymore. Not your mom either.”

I nodded slowly. “Maybe I should talk to her.”

“Maybe she should do the story,” Wilder offered.

“Hey,” Nash cut in. “Not tonight.”

“Okay, okay,” Wilder said, throwing up his hands. “We’ll regroup tomorrow. Clear heads.”

“Good idea,” Gunner added. He nudged Wilder. “Let’s go play poker and leave Mom and Dad to play hide the?—"

“Do not finish that sentence and fuck off,” Nash snapped.

Laughing, the boys grabbed their coats and disappeared into the night.

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