Page 82 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
“Okay, you go do that, then.” She waved him away.
“How is the planting going?” Sawyer asked. “We can help you with that.” He then looked over her shoulder. “What’s Dan doing here? In uniform,” he added, now looking at her.
She fell back on her old standby—being a smart-mouth. “He’s arresting me. What else would he be doing here?” It didn’t come as easy as it used to, but she’d had years of practice.
“What?” Birdie demanded.
“Not really,” Leah added quickly. “I found some things he’s looking into.”
“What things?” she asked.
“I’m not sure I can talk about it.”
“Why not?” Sawyer demanded, frowning.
“Don’t speak to my friend like that.” Birdie slapped her big husband’s arm again.
Why did hearing the word “friend” in connection with herself make Leah feel good?
“Sorry. I’m used to talking to my siblings,” he muttered.
“All good. That’s how I communicate too,” Leah said.
“You okay there with Hudson, Ally?” her uncle yelled to the girl.
“Yup” came her reply.
“We’re going to talk to Uncle Dan for a bit. He’s here too,” Sawyer added.
“There are some of those donuts in the house that we got from the store if you want to give Ally one, Hudson,” Leah told her nephew.
“Okay.”
She followed Sawyer as he headed to where his brother stood waiting for him. Birdie walked at her side.
“What’s going on, Dan?” Sawyer demanded.
“Not your business, brother,” Dan said, looking relaxed and calm, while Leah’s belly was full of acid. “But Leah has a headache, Birdie, and needs to rest.”
“No, I don’t,” she protested. “The pills you gave me are working.”
“What’s going on here, Dan? I’m your brother. Tell me,” Sawyer said, scowling.
“This is sheriff’s department business,” Dan said.
“I want to see some of your pottery, Leah, seeing as I didn’t know you did that,” Birdie said. “Come on, you can show me.”
“I’m not going anywhere at the moment, Birdie. I have something that I need to sort out first,” Leah said.
“She’s good. I’ve seen a few pieces,” Dan said, making her want to slap him.
It felt like her business was suddenly everyone’s business, and she wasn’t happy about that. Leah had shared things going on in her life with only one person for the past seven years, and her secrets had died along with Cassie. Even before she’d left Lyntacky, Leah had held herself back, even from Dan.
“I want to see them,” Birdie said, looking annoyed that she hadn’t already.
Leah gave up then and started for the house. She turned to look at Birdie, who was standing where she’d left her. “Well, come on.”
“She’s still got that sweet nature, at least,” Dan drawled, his eyes on Leah.
