Ridin' Solo (Sisters From Hell Book 1), Marika Ray [librera reader txt] 📗

things now. Today is a day of celebration. My Wyatt is home!” Mom clasped her hands together under her chin.

I hated to burst her happy bubble, but I was done ignoring the elephant in the room. “Sorry, Mom, but I’d really like to talk about Dad.”

Mom shook her head, her hair looking even more of a mess with the movement. “No. Absolutely not. I’m too sad to talk about him.”

I reached over to take her hands in mine. “It’s been two years. I think it’s well past the time we talk about him.”

Emmeline sniffed, but nodded her head. “He’s right. You’re clearly not over it and this family is falling apart because we won’t talk about it. We lost Dad already. We shouldn’t lose each other too.”

Mom’s head bowed, her shoulders shaking. She gripped my hands so tight her strength surprised me. I nodded at Em, beginning to talk and hoping she’d follow my lead. We couldn’t force Mom to talk, but maybe she’d at least listen.

“I stayed away because I couldn’t admit that I was mad at him.”

Mom’s head popped up, tears filling her eyes and streaking down her cheeks. “Mad?”

Em nodded. “I was mad too. I mean, he worked seven days a week. He barely even saw us. For what? Another million in the bank? When would it be enough?”

“I needed a father figure, but he put his heart and soul into his company. That’s why I went into the sheriff’s academy and moved away. I needed to do something for myself, not just step right into Dad’s shoes.”

Mom took in a shaky breath, and Em stood up to grab a box of tissues for her. She blew her nose and wiped her face.

“Your father was a good man who only wanted to build a nice life for us.” Mom swept a hand around the room. “Look around you. He wanted to provide this life for you.”

Em sat down again, taking a tissue for herself. “I know, and we’re so thankful for it, but we really just wanted time with you and Dad. Before he could retire, he had the heart attack.”

I sat back on the couch. “Let me explain a different way. I met a woman.” At my mom’s gasp, I held a hand up, signaling to wait before asking me a million questions. “She’s my partner at work. I was invited to her sister’s baby shower, where I met her whole family. Her parents are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Her dad dotes on those girls and they have a really special relationship. I wanted that with Dad, but never got it. I guess seeing that kind of dynamic with my own eyes made me want it for my own kids one day.”

Mom finally nodded, twisting the tissue in her hands. “You know, sometimes I wonder if he knew time was running out. Your father came home late the night before his heart attack. He showered and then sat on the side of the bed where I was reading. He said, ‘Margaret, I’ve made mistakes in my life, but none as great as missing out on raising those two kids of ours.’ Of course, I told him not to be silly, never imagining that he’d be rushed to the hospital the next morning.”

Em sniffed and grabbed another tissue. “You never told us that.”

Mom stood and knelt between us, holding each of our hands in hers. “He’d be proud of you both. He wanted you to be happy, first and foremost. The family working in the company wasn’t a priority. That was his baby. He’d want you to go out and find your own passion in life. And that’s what I want for you, too. I’m sorry I haven’t said that before now. I love you kids, and so did your father.”

I looked at Emmeline, who looked back at me with watery eyes. If the burning in mine was any indication, I wasn’t doing much better than her. Talking about our father wasn’t easy, but something about the softer edges of this pain felt like it might be healing too. For all three of us.

Mom stood and patted down her hair. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get ready and then I’ll meet you in the dining room for brunch. We can talk more if you’d like.”

She leaned down and kissed Em’s cheek and then mine, giving me a wink before sweeping from the room like the queen of England. There was the mom I remembered, acting like a robe was a ballgown.

Em bounced on the couch next to me. “I knew you coming home would fix things.”

I pulled her into a hug, needing someone to hold on to until I could breathe through the ache in my chest. “It’s not fixed yet, Em, but I have faith it will be. In time.”

Em leaned her head against my shoulder, giving me the time I needed, only breaking the silence when I stood and gave her my hand to help her up.

“So…were you talking about Oakley earlier?” She bounced on her toes. “Because I really like her! Are you seeing each other? Like romantically? Do you think she’d give me lessons on how to do the arm thingy she did on me? Do you think you’ll marry her and I’ll get a sister?”

“Whoa! Slow down, Em.” I backed away slowly and then made a run for the French doors, thinking I could make it outside before she cornered me with more questions I couldn’t answer. She’d loved to play chase when she was little.

The girl had gotten faster in my absence. She was hot on my heels as we ran around the infinity edge pool that overlooked the hills of the Bay Area. Darting around a huge shrub, I spun and jumped out at her, making her yelp.

“You don’t scare me, Wyatt Clifford.” She put her hands on her hips and lifted her nose exactly like Mom.

“Then why’d you yelp?” I teased her, out of breath