Page 91 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
Chapter 25
Seven days after they’d emptied that safe and all the money and things found in the room, she hadn’t heard a word from Dan or his uncle. Possibly because they’d found out nothing. Leah had gone between wanting to know and not wanting to know.
She was trying to move on in Lyntacky, but this had pushed her back a step. How could she find happiness or believe she deserved it when her father’s actions continually played a role in undermining that?
The sole shining light in a world of darkness aside from Hudson was Uncle Callum. He and her nephew had become friends, and Leah had to say she was happy about that. It meant she would have someone to discuss Hudson with. Not that her uncle had ever been a parent, but he’d been a fantastic uncle when he’d appeared in her life.
It felt like some of the weight had been lifted off her shoulders, having him here. He was a good cook, too, which Hudson appreciated. Uncle Callum was also worrying right alongside her about the money and what was going on in that room in the barn.
The midday sun beat down on Leah as she and Benny walked to check the mailbox. She took out the only letter in there. It was an official-looking document, which always terrified her becausea, it could be a bill, orb, Hudson’s father was about to make life difficult. Of course she knew that wasn’t likely to happen, but it still worried her. Leah worried about everything lately.
She opened the envelope and read the paper inside. It was some kind of tax overpayment, and she was being refunded… holy hell, the amount was huge!
She stopped in the driveway and just stared at it. It said overpayments, and the document looked official. Pressing a fist to her chest, she stared at the amount again.
“Ten thousand dollars,” she whispered, and then she was moving—sprinting back down the drive with the dog running at her side. Leah leaped the stairs and ran into the house. “Uncle Callum!”
“What?” She heard the thud of his feet coming downstairs and jumping the last few. “What’s happened?” He appeared wearing a bathrobe and had shaving foam on his face.
“This,” she said, handing him the paper. “I-it can’t be true… can it?”
He scanned the words on the page before him, and then he smiled. “Well now, it seems like your luck is turning, Leah.”
“How is this possible? I didn’t overpay any tax, and this is a large sum of money, Uncle Callum.”
“It’s not a fortune, but it’s enough to spruce this place up and get the shade houses planted. I’ll chip in, too, and then we can finally get that kiln and have you making pottery again.”
“You are not giving me money,” Leah argued, her head spinning. “I just don’t know how this is possible.”
“I am. Now let’s get you to the bank, and then we’ll go to the store and pick up some more seeds and other things you need. Ifyou won’t accept my money, I’ll at least spot you until you clear that check.”
“I don’t understand how this could be true, Uncle Callum.” Leah stared at the check.
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Leah. They take enough tax money off us, so enjoy getting some of it back. Now hustle it along, and we’ll go shopping. You can buy me coffee, seeing as you’re now flush.”
Leah watched him walk away. Was this money really hers?It seemed almost unbelievable.
“Move it, Leah!”
“Moving it!” she replied, and then, laughing, followed him up the stairs.
Hudson was at school, so they could head into Lyntacky and get him after they’d had coffee and been to the store.
She ran to her room, shed her work clothes, and looked in the wardrobe. She pulled out a dress and put it on. Leah hadn’t worn it since arriving in Lyntacky, but today felt like the right day to do so. She brushed her hair and slicked some gloss on her lips.
Happy,Leah thought, looking in the mirror.Happy for now,she amended. She couldn’t be completely happy with mild panic simmering beneath the surface. Panic that something would happen to Hudson. Panic that she wouldn’t be able to care for him well enough or to his late mother’s standards. Panic that her beautiful sister was gone… and so it went. Mostly Leah could keep it down, but when she went to bed at night, it filled her head.
There was still so much uncertainty with the investigation, too, but as there was nothing she could do about that, she would focus on this… the fact that she now had enough money to start her business venture properly.
Leah hurried back down the stairs to find Uncle Callum there waiting for her.
“I’ve put Benny in his pen with a treat,” he said.
They’d built it under the shade of a tree. He had a small house, and a run, which Hudson had declared fit for purpose.
“I’m thinking the Swing Through Cafe by the pizza place. We’ve been working hard on the house and land, so we’ll be adults and sit down, eat lunch, and drink excellent coffee. There’s something I want to run by you too,” Uncle Callum said, walking out the door.
“What?” Leah climbed into the passenger seat of the pickup he’d insisted they start using because her father was never going to drive it again and someone should.
