I cracked open my soda and took a sip. “It seems like she has a way with animals, too.”
“She does. Horses, especially. I think she likes the idea of your sanctuary.”
“She seems to. She’s been helping out a lot. Says she’d like to help me get it up and running.”
Hayes slowly set his slice of pizza down. “I didn’t know she’d come by before we had to help with the barn.”
I’d realized that about Shiloh as I’d gotten to know her a little better—she kept things close to the vest. Especially around her family. “She showed up the day after your mom did and said she wanted to help. It must run in the family.”
Hayes’ jaw worked back and forth, and I could almost hear his back teeth grinding together. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Helping out once or twice is one thing, but being there all the time…? It’s not healthy.”
I was quiet for a moment, trying to choose my words carefully. “Shouldn’t she be the one to decide that?”
“You think you know my sister better than I do?”
“Not at all. But I think she knows herself best.”
Hayes flexed his fingers against the lip of the table. “She can get triggered easily. I just don’t want that to happen more than it already does.”
“I get that.” Oh boy, did I ever. More than Hayes would ever know. “But, sometimes, we have to confront the ghosts. I think that’s what she’s doing in a way. Proving to herself there’s no reason to be scared anymore.”
“I need you to keep a close eye on her. And tell me if she seems to be having a hard time.”
I didn’t think Shiloh would let me in on that sort of thing. “Hayes, if she talks to me about anything…I’m not going to betray that confidence and come running to you.” He started to speak, but I held up a hand. “It’s not like we’ve become bosom buddies or anything.”
“Bosom buddies?”
“Haven’t you ever read Anne of Green Gables?”
“I can’t say that I have. But if there were boob friends, maybe I was missing out.”
I choked on the sip of Coke I’d just taken and nearly sprayed it across the table. “Don’t say something like that while I’m drinking.”
“Good to know you think I’m funny.”
“You’re denigrating my favorite Anne. You probably deserve a little backwash spray.”
Hayes pushed back from the table a bit. “I’ll keep my distance, then.”
“Wise.”
He looked up and met my gaze dead-on. “I love my sister. She’s different because of what happened to her, and I’d give anything to change that for her. I’d do anything to keep her from hurting now.”
His words sliced and clawed. Each one cutting deeper than the last. “You’re a good brother.”
“I try.”
I took a deep breath. “But different isn’t always bad. Sometimes it’s a superpower. Make sure you’re not overlooking what’s so special about Shiloh in search of things that are wrong.”
Hayes was quiet for a moment, but he didn’t look away. “I don’t. I…hell.”
I reached across the table and laid my hand over his. “There’s only one thing you need to do.”
“And what’s that?”
“Love her for who she is now, no matter the whys of it.”
“I can do that.” Hayes turned his hand over so we were palm-to-palm. And, for some reason, I kept mine there.
We stayed like that as the seconds drifted into a minute, and still, I didn’t pull away. Not until a whine sounded from the back room and broke the moment. But I felt the heat of that hand for the rest of the night.
22
Everly
I swung my keys around my pointer finger as I leaned against the hood of my SUV. I’d begun to notice a pattern over the past few weeks. Every Monday, someone brought Addie into town. Sometimes, it was Allen. Other times, Ian. But every once in a while, I got lucky and it was Ben. And it was always during my lunch hour that she walked past.
Today, I wasn’t taking a chance. I’d overheard some guys at the hardware store saying they were working a fencing job at the Kemper ranch. Allen would never let workers be at his home unsupervised. I had to hope that meant Ben would be the one bringing Addie today.
I looked up as two figures rounded the corner—Addie with a bag slung over her shoulder, and Ben beside her. I straightened from my spot and started towards them. “Addie, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She ignored me and kept walking past.
“Addie, please.”
Ben moved in closer. “Give her some time. She needs to trust that you’re back for good. And you know Addie. She doesn’t trust easily.”
I muttered a curse under my breath. Addie’s mother leaving her with her asshole of a father had done a number on her. And I’d repeated the cycle. “I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me.”
He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “She will. I promise.”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
“I know Addie, and I know you. Evie, you’ve never given up on something you truly wanted. And Addie has high walls, but you’ve always been able to scale them.”
That was before. When Addie thought I was on her team. Now, I was pretty sure she only saw me as the enemy.
Ben raised his chin to point down the block. “Walk with me? I need to pick up a few things for my mom at the quilt store. Unless you have plans?”
I looked down at the little lunchbox cooler in my hand. I’d made enough food for two, hoping I’d convince Addie to eat with me. I lifted the insulated bag. “Hungry? I was planning on having lunch in the park. Unless you’re in a hurry?”
“Fabric and thread can wait.”
We started towards the little park a few blocks from the vet’s office. It was impeccably kept. The grass the perfect height, and the picnic tables were refinished each year over the winter months. It looked as if they’d gotten new playground equipment since I’d been here last. There was even a splash pad now. A handful of children squealed with delight as they ran through the dancing water.
Ben led us to a table under the shade of an Aspen. I unzipped the bag, pulling out two sandwiches, a bag of chips, and two sodas. His expression gentled as he sat. “You were hoping Addie would join you.”
“Hope springs eternal.”
“She will, eventually. Just—”
“Give her time. I know.”
Ben unwrapped his sandwich in the same methodical way he always had. “This looks delicious.”
“I have to warn you, it’s veggie. But I promise it’s good.”
He raised a brow. “A vegetarian now?”
“I think it’s a hazard of the job.”
“Understandable. You always did have a soft spot for critters.”
I unwrapped my sandwich and popped the tab on my Coke. “How are you doing?”
Ben washed down a bite of his sandwich with a sip of his drink. “It’s been a tough year, but I’m hanging in.”