Page 95 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
Dan was pretty sure that woman would be lodging a complaint with Uncle Asher, but he could cope with that.
“You okay, Leah?”
She nodded. “You shouldn’t have done that. Protected me, I mean.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not worth it, making enemies like her.” She was still watching Miriam Sutton walk away.
“You are worthy of my time every day, Leah. And worthy of my protection. I won’t stand for anyone speaking to you like she did.”
Her eyes moved to his face.
“When are you going to believe you are worth five of that bitch?”
She looked away again.
“That woman was born to hate. Don’t give her anymore of your time.”
“I guess old habits are hard to break. I don’t want that for Hudson,” she said softly.
“That won’t happen. He has people in his corner, plus Ally. She’s fierce.”
“I know,” she said, still looking down the street.
“When are you going to understand that people in Lyntacky are here for you, too, Leah? They are your friends and want to support you.”
She looked so small and vulnerable standing there. Dan wanted to hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right. Instead, he said, “Can we talk?”
She looked wary now. “About what?”
“I’m not discussing it here on the main street. I think we’ve created enough of a disturbance for now.”
She was clutching a bag to her chest. Dan knew what was in it because he’d been there when his family had discussed asking her to play.
“Please, Leah. Just give me a few minutes.”
“I’m meeting my uncle after Tai Chi. Is this about what was in my barn? Do you have news about that?”
“They have awhile to go yet. My mom’s at the Tai Chi, too, and yes, I can let you know what we’ve found out so far.”
She nodded, though he knew she was trying to find a good reason to walk away from him, and then she surprised him by saying, “Okay. What did you want to say to me?”
“Come on, we’ll get a coffee. I’m not talking here.”
She hesitated, so he began walking, and thankfully heard her footsteps following. Not close enough that their hands or armsbrushed—no, there were at least two feet between them as they moved. They reached the Swing Through Cafe, and he nudged her inside ahead of him through the open door.
“Take the stairs up, and we’ll have privacy. At this time of the day, it won’t be busy.”
“I can listen here,” she said, stopping just inside the door.
“I don’t want to discuss your family’s business here,” Dan said and knew that would get her moving. Leah had grown up with people talking about her, and he knew she’d hated that.
“You want coffee?” Ryder asked as they passed him at the counter, his eyes giving away nothing of the curiosity Dan was sure he was feeling.
“Leah?” Dan asked. She nodded, and Dan held up two fingers to his brother.
They climbed, and thankfully no one was up here. He led her outside to a table on the deck overlooking the river and pulled out her chair.
