Page 139 of Traces Of You

“That was the excuse your mother used to abuse you. Or any guy you were with.”

“I didn’t think I did things wrong, but when someone tells it to you enough it’s hard to believe otherwise.”

“I’ll tell you if you do something that isn’t right, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I mean that. And you never have to fear me or anyone in my family. Ever. You believe that, don’t you?”

She blinked her eyes. “I just... I love it here. I don’t want to leave, but I don’t want anyone mad at me.”

“No one is,” he said. “Cross my heart. Everyone loves you. You need to love yourself.”

Which was the hardest thing for someone to do.

She heard his phone ringing and got up to get it off the table where he’d tossed it and tried to compose herself. “It’s a Florida number.”

He reached for it and she let him take it and went to the laundry room to start the clothes and give him privacy.

She was betting it had to do with Oliver or her and she wasn’t sure she wanted to stand there and listen.

He’d tell her what he thought she needed to know.

When she returned to the living room ten minutes later, she had a plate of snacks and two bottles of water for them and he was off the phone.

“They arrested Officer Stiles without bail and want to extradite Randy back and charge him there. They also arrested Oliver, and he confessed. Guess he was the first to talk, willing to give anything, including how they communicated online through random Reddit posts and that he staged the break-in himself by trashing the house. He’s got all the details written down. Almost like a blackmail to cover his ass.”

“That would explain why he wasn’t upset over it when I came home. I was terrified that someone had been through my stuff and they might come back, but he acted like it was nothing more than the remains of a rowdy party.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised. He probably kept all the information hoping for immunity or protection if he was ever caught.”

Ford laughed. “Yep. Whether or not he gets it, I don’t know and won’t know. I don’t care about that. What he confessed to was hiding drugs for Gregory Stiles and his cousin Randy. He was skimming off the top because they weren’t paying him enough.”

Unbelievable. “He always wanted more than his fair share.”

“He’s getting what is owed to him now. It’s truly all behind you, Reenie. You might be called to testify. You need to know that. I asked that they try to do it without you, but understand that might not be the case.”

Her teeth tucked her lower lip into her mouth. “I don’t want to go back. They can’t make me, can they?”

“They can make you. It’s harder from one state to another, but it’s done. You need to be prepared. You’ve got time and you’ve got Gale. She’ll figure it out. Not today. Today is about us, okay?”

“I feel as if I’m never going to move forward in my life. I hate it.”

“You’re not stuck anymore. You’re not looking over your shoulder and are free to do what you want. I hope you choose to stay with me, but I’d never hold you to that either.”

The tears fell in a flood over her cheeks, a few falling to the floor. “You’d be okay if I left?”

“That’s not it, Reenie. I’ve wished for you for twenty years. But I want you to have your freedom more. I never want you to experience pressure to do anything you don’t want. You’ve had that too much in your life. But can you promise me one thing?”

“Anything.”

“That if the day ever comes, you’ll tell me. You won’t make me guess or worry, or wait if I’m not what you want?”

“I promise you. I’ll never do that to you. I knew I was leaving twenty years ago, Ford. I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t.”

“Why? It killed me when you were just gone. That’s it. Not even a simple goodbye. To sneak out and tell me nothing.”

“Because my mother didn’t know about you. If she had we would have moved sooner. She never let me get close to anyone for fear they’d find out what was happening in my life. I asked her not to leave days before. It didn’t go well for me.”

“She beat you?” he asked.

“Nothing more than normal,” she said. “But my cheek was bruised. I didn’t want you to see it. I knew you’d be upset and didn’t think you’d be able to keep quiet about it.”

Even back then, she knew he’d fight for her.