Page 24 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
Leah wanted to shuffle her feet but instead said, “We’re not really well-liked in Lyntacky?—”
“Bullshit,” Zoe said. “That’s in your head and no one else’s.”
“You need to let that go,” Birdie said softly. “I’m a McAllister?—”
“Was a McAllister,” her sister-in-law said.
“Was, but my point is, people move on, and so do we. Let the past stay there, Leah,” Birdie advised.
She wanted to laugh at that. The past had defined her. It had given and taken away from her. She was living in the past on her family’s land. The only thing she’d got from her name was a farm with run-down outbuildings and a house that was barely habitable, which she knew was more than some had.
Leah clenched her fingers into fists and released them. “The diner will be fine for now, Zoe. Don’t worry about me.”
“How’s your uncle? My memory is scratchy, but I remember he was pretty cool,” Birdie asked changing the subject as if sensing Leah’s tension. “He used to bring you presents.”
“Uncle Callum, and yes, he’s awesome, but he’s always traveling. I haven’t seen him for a while. I don’t even know where he is, so I couldn’t tell him about Cassie.”
She’d left him a letter though, so hopefully he’d get that and come and find her and Hudson. Leah would love to see her uncle again.
They were interrupted as the door swung open.
“Do not enter without coffee!” Zoe barked at Sawyer, who walked in.
Leah watched his face transform from a scowl to a smile as he saw Birdie and Sadie. He came to the counter and lowered the tray of coffees. He then took his daughter from Zoe and kissed her cheek before wrapping an arm around Birdie and doing the same.
“Hey!” Zoe said.
Sawyer kissed her next and then Leah.
“Your brothers.” Leah sighed, watching as Sawyer tossed his kid into the air. The man wore worn jeans and a Henley shirt with a ripped sleeve. “Haven’t lost their looks with age.”
“Gross,” Zoe whispered, and they watched him laugh with Birdie as Sadie giggled again.
“They are definitely not gross,” Leah said, her eyes still on Sawyer as she told herself the pain in her chest was not jealousy.
“Lucky I brought three coffees because you’re always gossiping with someone in here, Zoe. I’ll go get another one for me. How are you, Leah?”
“I’m good, thank you, Sawyer, and I don’t need a coffee.”
“I still can’t work out if I prefer you grumpy or happy,” Zoe said, taking her drink.
“Oh, happy,” Leah said. “This is a great look on you, Sawyer, and you’ve made my old friend happy. Plus, you’re an awesome daddy.”
The smile slipped slightly. “I’ll be honest, knowing what an asshole me and my brothers were, it’s daunting, Leah. What if Sadie wants to do some of the things we did?”
“We’ll work it out,” Birdie said, patting his arm. “It won’t happen tomorrow, Sawyer. We’ve got time, and we’ll be ready.”
“Tell me about it,” Leah said. “This parenting stuff is hard.”
“How’s Hudson doing?” Sawyer asked.
“He’s okay and making friends at school.”And every day I’m scared that I’m doing something wrong, because I’m it, and don’t have anyone to help me.Hudson was her responsibility alone.
Leah had read twenty parenting books and still felt unqualified. Parents usually had the years when their kids were first growing up to adjust to being a mom or a dad, but she’d just stepped into the role, and it was terrifying.
“Well, that’s good, then. How’s the house treating you?” Sawyer asked. “Place hasn’t been touched since your dad went away. You settling in okay?”
She tensed again.
