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Thea threw her hands out at her sides. “It’ll always be like this. I’ll always be looking over my shoulder here. I can’t have a normal life, and that’s why I can’t stay here. That’s why things would never work between us.”

Brett stepped away from her and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he spoke, each word was laced with carefully controlled anger. “I’m sorry… Things would never work between us?”

Everything was spiraling. Her worries, doubts, and fears tangled together into a massive storm that was wrecking everything in its wake. “We can’t do this. I–”

“I get it. You’re not interested in me. Message received,” Brett’s words tumbled together as they bit at her. “But you’re still not a prisoner here. You can leave at any time. I’ll be glad to drive you to the airport. I would even drive you all the way to Alabama. Trust me, I won’t keep you against your will.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” He’d never pushed her. She’d always had a choice. It wasn’t his fault that her choices were slim and included a mountain of baggage.

Brett stalked toward the door before rounding on her. “I’m sorry you thought I was holding you back, but I won’t apologize for looking out for you. I’m going to be the first in line to tell you that you’re worth protecting, whether your family sees it or not. You deserve more than this, you’re right about that. But if I can’t give you what you want, don’t let me stop you.”

Thea’s eyes burned. Of all the people to be caught in the crossfire of this war, Brett deserved it the least. He’d always been there for her. Besides her mom, he was the only one she could count on.

“It’s not you. I’m…”

Scared? Terrified? Afraid of losing someone else who didn’t deserve the danger she carried with her?

Brett grabbed his coat and opened the door. “Call me if you need a ride out of town.”

“Brett, I–”

The closing of the door cut her off. She made her way across the room with only a slight limp and threw open the door. Brett was already in his truck and seemed intent on running as fast as he could.

He’d be better off without her. She didn’t have the strength to end things with him on her own, but maybe letting him walk away was the best option, even if it broke her heart.

Chapter20

Thea

“Miss Thea! Cover your eyes!” Abby shouted.

Always shouting. The little girl didn’t have an inside voice, though, and the constant excitement kept everyone on their toes. Apparently, Abby had the run of the house on Tuesday nights at Stella and Vera’s. This was Thea’s first attendance, and Abby was the perfect hostess.

Thea did as she was told. “Okay, okay. They’re covered.”

The pitter-patter of skipping feet on her right side had Thea’s lips stretching into the first real smile in days.

“Open them,” Abby said.

Thea removed her hands and gasped at the small crochet piece Abby held. “What’s that?”

“I did it! Miss Stella taught me.”

Thea took the square and laid it over her hand. It barely hung over the sides, but it was an accomplishment. Especially since Thea’s attempt earlier had looked oddly like a blue rat’s nest.

“I’m so impressed.” It wasn’t perfect, but it was incredibly neat to have been made by a four-year-old.

“I tried real hard and listened real good,” Abby said. “Do you want some more tea, Miss Thea?”

Picking up the plastic teacup on the end table beside her, she peered at the drop of juice in the bottom. “Yes, I would love that.”

Abby took the teacup and skipped to the kitchen. Thea brushed her thumbs over the pink square in her hands. At least she wasn’t bringing Abby down with her foul mood.

“Have you talked to him?” Hadley asked.

Thane stood from where he’d been lounging at her feet and rested his head on Thea’s knees. She set Abby’s masterpiece on the armrest and gave the perceptive dog her attention.

“Not much. What he’s said to me has been cordial, but he still doesn’t want to talk. I tried to talk to him last night, but I barely got through the introductory ‘I’m sorry’ before he cut me off. Then I left him a note this morning, asking if we could talk, but he didn’t give me an answer.”