The Redemption Of Lillie Rourke. Loree Lough

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      He rolled his eyes. “Have you met your mother?”

      Lillie removed the plant from its shelf and took it to the register. It surprised her when her dad slid a pale pink moth orchid onto the counter beside it.

      “She’s not your mother,” Lillie teased.

      He shrugged. “True, but she’s a good egg. And gave me some of the best kids on the planet. So why not.”

      “You’re a big softie, just one of a thousand reasons I love you.”

      Once outside, they gently placed the plants onto the floor of the back seat. After they were seated in the front, Liam said, “Did you mean it that Mom and I are free to ask questions?”

      “Anything.”

      “Okay. Same goes for you, you know.”

      “I’ve always been able to talk to you.”

      “Not always.”

      Her therapist had warned her that from time to time, a comment like that would sting. The woman had recited a list of platitudes intended to help her cope when it happened: Consider the source. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You got through rehab; you’ll get through this. Lillie’s least favorite cliché? Don’t try to go around the mountain; make it your home.

      During those excruciating months following the accident, Lillie had worked hard to spare her family and Jase the truth about her condition. Why worry them about things they couldn’t control, like her never-ending pain? For the same reason, she’d kept her addiction a secret, too. If she could point to a specific time or event that made them see through her ruse, Lillie might have prevented the humiliating intervention. “You’re not fooling anyone,” they’d said. “Get help, or else.”

      Now, she said, “I know, Dad, but that was the old me. This me is very up-front about things.” A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “You’ll probably get sick and tired of hearing me ’fess up all over the place!”

      Liam didn’t respond. Instead, he exhaled a long sigh. “You still mad at me for getting that court order?”

      When he realized how quickly she was going through the insurance settlement from her accident, Liam had seen a lawyer to gain control of her money. She’d fought him at every turn, because his actions would put a stop to her street drugs. He’d won, and she’d despised him for it. In hindsight, Lillie felt nothing but gratitude.

      “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me at first. But time, and sobriety, helped me see that if you hadn’t done it, I would only have wasted every dime. So no, I’m not mad. In fact, I’m relieved that you did it. You quite literally saved my life.”

      Another deep sigh, and then, “You don’t know how pleased I am to hear that. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But that’s all history now, thank God, and I’m glad we got it out of the way before we reached the inn.” He squeezed her hand. “I can have things reversed now, if you want me to.”

      Lillie believed she’d kicked the habit for good. But she’d heard too many horror stories of people who assumed the same thing, only to fall back into old habits.

      “Let’s just leave things as they are for now,” she said. “I’ve paid everyone back, except for you and Mom and...” And Jase. “And it isn’t like I need the money for a world cruise or anything.”

      That, at least, produced a genuine laugh.

      “So, how long before you’ll call him?” her dad asked.

      Lillie had to give him credit. He’d heard that little hesitation in her voice and knew exactly what it meant.

      “I don’t know.” Of all the confrontations, that one scared her most.

      “The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be.”

      “He doesn’t know I’m back, so there’s no rush.”

      The look on her dad’s face told her otherwise.

      “But how could he know? I didn’t know myself until a week ago, when I made the plans and called you guys.”

      “He... Jase sort of stayed in touch.”

      “Sort of?”

      “Every time he calls or stops by, he says it’s just because he wants to make sure we’re okay. But we weren’t born yesterday. We know he only wants a Lillie update. He’s dating someone. This one seems nice enough.”

      This one? There had been others? Of course he wouldn’t have put his life on hold, waiting for her to come back...

      “You...you met them...these women Jase dated?”

      “Not exactly. Ran into him at the movies once, at a restaurant another time. And there were a couple of chance meetings at the ice cream stand. I’ll give him this: he sure knows how to pick the purty ones!” Liam chuckled. “No surprise there, when he started out with a beauty like you.”

      Again, her father cut loose with the ear-piercing whistle. Her heart ached at the thought of Jase with someone else, but she had only herself to blame. If she hadn’t single-handedly destroyed their relationship, they’d be married, might even have a child by now. “Some of the people you’ve hurt will move on,” the rehab psychologists had said. “You need to let them. Wish them well, and do the same, yourself.”

      Easier said than done, Lillie thought.

      “Well, great.” He didn’t know it, but Jase had spared her the challenge of working hard to earn back his trust. “I’m happy for him.”

      “You’re happy for him? Really?”

      “Don’t sound so shocked, Dad. Jase is a good man, and deserves the best that life has to give.” And God knows that isn’t me.

      “I give it another month,” her dad said. “Two, tops.”

      “Why? I thought you said she seemed nice.”

      “Oh, she’s all right, if you’re into leggy blondes. It’s just that this thing Jase has going with—Whitney’s her name—let’s just say she’s all wrong for him. You know your mother’s talent for reading people? Well, she says it’s healthy for Jase to sow some wild oats before he finally settles down. And I agree with her.”

      A twinge of guilt shot through her, because it didn’t bother her one bit, hearing that this...this Whitney was all wrong for Jase. If you had an ounce of decency in you, you’d want him to be happy.

      “What do you mean, she’s all wrong for him?”

      Liam shrugged. “She isn’t you.” He turned into the inn’s drive. “So of course it won’t last.”

      Another eddy of guilt swirled through her. And right behind it, a glimmer of hope.

      Because oh, how she wanted her dad to be right!

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