Page 20 of A Rancher's Love
“They were plans for down the road.” Caleb’s confusion grew deeper. “I’m lost.” He shook his head as he looked at Ginny. “I’ve been trained a little better since you left in the fine art of listening when someone is telling me a thing, so I’ll start again. Ginny, we never made you aware of how bad things were—for reasons that made sense to me at the time. You’re saying that was the wrong decision.”
He paused and gave her a chance to respond.
“It was.” Ginny swallowed around the knot in her throat. “I am so happy to be home. I am so happy to have a home to return to, and I know that’s meant a lot of work and sacrifice on all your parts.” She included Tamara in her comment as well. “Please don’t think I’m ungrateful. This isn’t about that at all. And your good news is incredible, and I feel as if sharing this is a childish rant, stomping all over the beautiful cake you’ve presented me. But it’s been burning up inside me for the longest time, and I don’t want it to taint anything we do going forward.”
“Hell, kiddo. I’m sorry.” Caleb got to his feet and opened his arms. “Come here.”
She was in his embrace a moment later, tears falling freely. The safe, secure place in her brother’s arms felt right—
But she wasn’t a child anymore.
“I didn’t leave to go traipsing across the countryside on a holiday. I know gallivanting across Europe sounds exciting in concept, but in reality, it wasn’t always. It was damn hard work, and at times I was scared. Or I’d finish up the day dirty and exhausted, same as if I’d been at home. But Iwasn’tat home, and I would’ve been if I’d known.” This time she said it clearly. No quaver in her voice, just complete honesty. Then she didn’t shout, didn’t demand, just calmly finished. “Please don’t leave me out again. I need to knowI’mvaluable to you. And protecting me by keeping me ignorant isn’t the way to show that.”
“I promise,” Caleb said, his voice a low rumble against her temple. “Of course, I can’t promise I won’t screw up at all, because making mistakes is what big brothers do best.”
“Ha.” She let out a long breath. “I’m sorry for dumping on you tonight.”
“Trust me. I’m far happier we’ve dealt with it now before you’ve got a full supply of herbs at your disposal.” Caleb snorted as she dug her fingers under his ribs. “Your magic elixirs are dangerous, witchy woman.”
Tamara raised a brow.
Ginny smiled sweetly. “Laxative tea. I don’t even remember what he did, but he deserved it.”
Two little girls zipped into the room, running full tilt into Caleb as he released Ginny from the hug.
“Dad, the movie was so funny,” Sasha shared.
“Sasha giggled so hard, water came out her nose,” Emma said softly, hands pressed to her mouth.
It was impossible not to feel the joy radiating from these two. Ginny dropped to a squat and examined Sasha closely. “Doesn’t look as if there’s permanent damage.”
Sasha made a face so reminiscent of Caleb it was eerie. “It was water, not glue.”
Behind them, Tamara snorted. “That’s a very specific observation that I don’t think I want any more details about. You two go with your daddy and get ready for bed. I’ll be in to say good night in a minute.”
“Good night, Auntie Ginny,” Emma said, turning her face up for a kiss. “You’ll be here tomorrow, yes?”
“For a whole lot of tomorrows,” Ginny promised.
One more hug from Sasha, and an impulsive additional hug from her big brother. Caleb pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad you’ll be here tomorrow, too.”
The girls swirled away, bright happy leaves dancing around the tall sturdy figure of her brother.
Tamara laid a hand on Ginny’s arm. “Here’s where I apologize. I screwed up big time.”
Ginny shook her head. “You said you didn’t know. I don’t hold you responsible for a mistake Caleb made. Plus, I get that itwasa mistake, and he meant well. This is done, and we can put it behind us.”
“You’re right, and we will move past this, but I still need to apologize because I should’ve known better.” Tamara looked sheepish. “You’ve heard the sayingassumemeans making anassofuandme?”
Ginny nodded.
“You and I have talked plenty over the past couple of years. Technology can leave something to be desired in terms of dealing with nuance. But I never brought up anything regarding financial or work plans because I assumed you would when you were ready. I thought Caleb had you up-to-date, and you were dealing with other priorities.”
Hell. “You thought I chose to stay away rather than come help?”
Interestingly, Tamara paused, her expression pensive. “You know, I can honestly say I didn’t jump to any conclusions as to why you weren’t coming home. I haven’t spent the past couple of years thinking ill of you, if that’s what you’re worried about. You’d made a commitment and you were sticking to it, and I—honestly—admired you for your bravery and the risk you’d taken to go somewhere so far away.”
Ginny took a shaky inhale before confessing, “It was damn far away at times.”
