Page 79 of Caught in the Axe
Sandra didn’t seem to mind that she’d stunned me speechless. “And the fact that you’re a Hebert? Trust me, one of the reasons I want her to get out of this place is to get as far away from the Heberts as possible.”
I cleared my throat, finally finding my voice, and sat a little straighter. “I am not my father.”
She gave me a pitying smile over the rim of her mug. “Of course not. He’s a one-of-a-kind piece of shit.”
I laughed. Despite the sweet, feminine exterior, and the bubbly energy, Sandra had claws. It made me happy that Lila had someone like this in her corner.
“And your brother.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve heard all the rumors about you Hebert boys.”
I sucked in a breath, irritated that I’d once again been lumped in with Cole. He’d made a name for himself, and it wasn’t a good one. And the rest of us were guilty by association.
“It’s a good thing I don’t put much stock in rumors. This town has been talking shit about me since I was a kid. Trailer trash, teen mom. I’m sure they’ve called me worse behind my back.”
The ache in my chest throbbed at that admission. “I’m so sorry.”
She waved her hand. “Don’t be. I’ve got a good life, and I take great pride in pissing off the sanctimonious jerks. But my girl.” She shook her head. “She puts on a good front, but it’s not as easy for her to tune it out. She’s dealt with her fair share of shit too, and come out stronger for it.”
I likely didn’t know half of it, but I respected what she was saying. Lila had a quiet strength, and she bore her scars privately, but she had plenty. The way she’d reacted after our weekend in Boston revealed that she wasn’t as free-spirited as she pretended to be.
The bathroom door opened, and soft footsteps sounded down the hall, followed by the soft snick of a door closing farther away.
She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I know something happened between you two.”
I stiffened but pressed my lips together. I had no interest in giving away anything Lila hadn’t shared with her mother.
“But I’m not a meddling mom. My girl knows what she wants.” She squeezed my hand. “Promise me something?”
I gave her an encouraging nod.
Her expression hardened. Not in an angry way, but in a way that made it clear she was dead serious and concerned for her daughter’s well-being. “Do not trap her. Do not clip her wings. Let my girl fly. Because I believe she can soar.”
The lump in my throat made it hard to speak. “I’m not—” I coughed. “We’re not—”
She shook her head. “I’m not saying stay away. I’m not saying give up. In fact, I’m impressed with your effortsso far. She’s gonna make you work for it, but if I had to guess, you’re the kind of man who likes a challenge.”
I roughed a hand down my face, then busied myself with my tea. Wasn’t that the truth. She’d been hot and cold and everything in between for weeks. Flirtatious and seductive and then closed off and cold.
Then there were the most glorious moments of vulnerability sprinkled in. When she confided in me about her fears about graduate school, or when she was so kind and patient when we’d gotten locked in the supply closet.
Sandra put her other hand on top of mine. “She’s not going to be someone’s obedient housewife. She won’t be content to take the back seat and always be the runner-up. If you can’t deal with that, then please walk away now.”
Her words hung in the air between us, threatening to swallow up all the oxygen.
But then Lila appeared. She was wearing a Boston Bolts sweatshirt, her wet hair hanging around her shoulders, and I jumped to my feet.
“Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head and headed straight for her mom, who stood and wrapped her arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Have you heard anything?” she asked, her face buried in her mom’s scrub shirt.
“Yes.” I pulled my phone out and double checked the information I’d been given. “The police were able to identify him. His name is Hugo Barrett. He’s an employee of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.”
She cleared her throat and tilted her face lower. “Is—is he alive?”
