Page 77 of Grit
“No, we can’t do this!” Melissa felt like her world was crashing around her. She wanted to curl up and hide. “What if she’d seen us? She can’t see us. She’s ten! She’ll get all these ideas.”
His eyes narrowed. “So let her get ideas. I don’t care.”
“Do you know how big her hero complex is with you?” Melissa spoke in a low, urgent voice. “You have no idea. She thinks you walk on water. She thinks you are the absolute best.”
“And?” His smile was confused. “Melissa, I don’t understand what the problem is. IloveAbby.”
She stood. “And what happens when she gets all these ideas and then something doesn’t work out? What happens then?”
He started shaking his head. “Oh no. Not this bullshit.”
“Are you and your mom still going to come over for family dinners like you did tonight if you’re mad at me? Or I’m mad at you? Are you still going to come help her build corrals for her goats? Or go to her school programs? What we had before…” She felt panic rising in her chest. “It was good, Cary. We’re friends, and shedependson you being there.”
“I will always be there for Abby,” he hissed. “Always.”
“Really? Are you sure? Even if you’re sick of me? Sick of us? If we fight or break up or—”
“What are you doing?” He glared at her. “Don’t do this! You are not allowed to break this because you’re scared of whatmighthappen, Missy.”
“Except I have to.”
Because Abby came first. She had to. Calvin was gone. There was only Melissa now. And she’d been distracted. Flustered. Not focused on her daughter or her ranch.
Because of Cary.
He gripped his hair with both hands and she could see how angry he was, but in a flash of panicked clarity when she heard Abby’s footsteps on the porch, Melissa had seen the worst-case scenario.
It ended with Melissa emotionally brokenagainand Abby heartbroken because she’d lost one of the only men in her life she could depend on.
“Why do you insist on looking for the worst thing that could happen every time?” He was fuming. “Every time, Melissa!”
“Because it’s my job. Because if I don’t do it, then no one will, and I have to be prepared.”
He walked over and looked her straight in the face. “So you’re willing to sacrifice something that could be great—that could be everything for us—because you’re content with making something that’s just okay for Abby? Is that what I’m hearing?”
Her heart was screaming. She couldn’t speak. She could feel the tears threatening in her eyes, so she tried not to blink. She couldn’t nod. She couldn’t shake her head. She was frozen between what she desperately wanted for herself and what was best for her daughter.
Cary stepped back. “I’m taking my mom home, but do not think this is over. I will talk to you tomorrow.”
He walked out, and Melissa’s knees buckled. She leaned against the wall, covered her face, and cried silent, hot tears.
Chapter Seventeen
Her mom was sittingat the dining table, sipping herbal tea and reading a book when Melissa made it back to the house.
“Where’s Abby?”
Joan looked up. “I am so sorry about that. We were trying to give you two privacy, and she literally snuck out of the house behind our backs.” Joan waved down the hall. “I sent her straight to bed.”
“She said she wanted me to tuck her in.”
Joan gave her the “are you that dumb?” look. “Melissa, she’s ten years old. She’s been going to bed without you for a few years now. She just didn’t want to go to bed, and she was curious what’s going on with you and Cary.”
Melissa’s heart sank. “Nothing is going on with me and Cary.”
Joan looked back at her book. “I don’t need to know details. You’re a grown woman, and it’s none of my business what—”
“Mom, nothing is going on with me and Cary.” Melissa felt her throat start to tighten up. “Don’t get any ideas, okay?”
