Page 29 of The Last One You Loved

At the turnoff to the lake, my body seemed to take control, heading toward the water instead of back into town. There were a handful of cars parked in the lot. A bonfire going on the shore and the rowdy noise of teens and music competed with the sounds of the crickets. It was a gathering I was sure I could bust up, but I had no desire to do so while out of uniform.

Instead, I strode toward the path winding its way to the top of the cliff overlooking the lake. The worn trail was steep, but I was hardly out of breath by the time I reached the top. The water sparkled below, drawing me to it as it had my entire life. McKenna and I had found peace out here—escape from her mama for her and escape from the heavy burden of the ranch’s failure that had weighed on me.

My phone buzzed. It was Ryder, not in the group chat with our sisters, but a private message. Eighty percent of the time, we texted as a group, leaving the solo chats for more serious discussions.

DIPSHIT: Just checking to make sure you haven’t driven your Bronco off a cliff.

I rolled my eyes.

ME: I can’t believe Gem-Mine told you already.

DIPSHIT: Actually, it was Mama who sent Dad a message. Seriously, though, are you okay?

The cold feeling of dread inside me eased a little with the warmth of Ryder’s concern.

ME: She’ll be gone tomorrow.

DIPSHIT: Yeah, but if I’d had to see Ravyn even for ten minutes, you might have had to lock me up for murder.

ME: Totally different situation. I might have to lock myself up for murder if Ravyn showed up.

DIPSHIT: Drinks tomorrow night.

ME: Maybe.

DIPSHIT: I wasn’t asking, Mads.

I couldn’t help the wry grin that hit my lips.

McKenna might have torn open my painfully healed scars by showing up, but my family would be there to help me cover them back up. I’d lose myself in my job and my daughter, and I’d forget she’d ever blown through town.

At least, that was what I hoped.

CHAPTERELEVEN

MCKENNA

COMING HOME

“I’m longing for the real thing, people who know the real me

And all the ways to love me back to life.”

Performed by Keith Urban with Julia Michaels

Written by Rotem / Michaels / Urban / Haggard / Galyon

Something was pokingmy cheek that felt oddly like a finger, and it dragged me out of fitful dreams. Ones filled with memories of punishment at my mama’s hands, which had turned into Dr. Gregory’s fists, until Maddox had stormed in to save me. He’d never had to physically save me growing up. I’d always escaped on my own. But he’d saved me emotionally, kept me from going off into a deep abyss.

“Miss McKenna?” It was a breathy, childish whisper that joined the pressure on my cheek, and my eyes flew open.

Maddox’s daughter was standing before me. She now had two unicorns clutched under one arm, but she was wearing the same grin as the night before. One that was infectious as much as it stabbed at me with the reminder that she was Maddox’s. That he’d fathered a child with someone.

“Hey,” I finally croaked out.

“Nana says you need to come to the house for berry craps.”

I choked out a laugh. “Craps?”