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I drag my thumb over my lip, mulling it over. I appreciate both men sticking up for her. With their lawyers looking into it, giving her a place to stay—or hide, and giving Claire a job to work on.
My mind keeps rolling over the memories of the afternoon, stuck in a loop seasoned with anger, shock, and despair. My thoughts keep cycling back to one thing, and I consider it with an open mind. I challenge myself not to view it as a far-fetched what-if, but a viable option.
It’s a risk. A daring thought to suggest, but I can’t stop revolving back to how it could play out.
Dalton might not be able to help Claire, but I could.
Caleb leaves, asking to be updated about this. He heads out to return to the bed-and-breakfast to help Marian figure out how they’ll hold down the fort while Lauren goes to comfort Claire.
Alone with Dalton again in this quiet kitchen, where I have the freedom to think and truly analyze my idea, I try to think of the best way to word my thoughts on this. He could be angry, thinking I’m taking advantage. He might be elated, expecting too much hope. I don’t know what he’ll think, and I’m less sure of how to speak up.
He grabs a bottle of whiskey and brings it to the table. After he sets two glasses down and sits, he pours me one.
I bite my lip, debating if I’m being ridiculous or smarter than ever. It seems he’s on to me, eyeing me suspiciously but not angrily or with any trace of accusation.
“I think…” He clears his throat. “I think we might have the same idea right now.”
I hesitate, waiting to reply as he slides the drink to me.
Chapter 26
Claire
When Lauren and Aubrey showed up at the cabin, I burst into a whole new wave of tears. I got my crying under control before Sawyer headed out, but seeing my two new, real friends, I lost it all over again.
Lauren didn’t give me a chance to explain. Somehow, they both knew. Why wouldn’t they, anyway? Dalton saw the whole thing happen, and he wouldn’t keep it a secret from Aubrey or their closest friends.
Like angels, they swept up to the cabin and corralled me into Lauren’s car. Between the tears from what my mother did, the shame and worry for Lauren’s reaction over her dress, and the confusion over what was going on, I followed what they said like a numb, lost sheep.
A chalet? In Vail? Just for me?
I was stunned.
As I sit here in the cozy space with them, an hour after they came to spring me from my misery at the cabin, sipping spiked hot beverages before a roaring fire under the mantle, I try to wrap my head around it all again.
They hadn’t been heading out here and thought to ask me along. No, they did this all for me. To hear me out, to listen without interruption. These two sweethearts give me the freedom to let out all my anger and tears, and I know they’re counting on finally piecing together all the details.
I don’t hold back, telling them how this all came to be.
This is, without a doubt, a moment for the bitter truth.
“I know a little bit,” Aubrey says, shaking her head. “I was there when your mom came over to yell at Dalton.”
I sigh, hating that my cousin has faced her wrath on my behalf. “I’m sorry you had to deal with her like that.”
Aubrey scoffs. “I sure hope she won’t be invited to my wedding if he ever gets around to proposing.”
I shake my head. “I don’t blame you.”
“I’m clueless,” Lauren says. “Other than knowing she ruined the dress.”
“Not any dress. Your dress.” I sniffle, feeling another wave of tears coming.
She growls and scoots forward on her chair to grip my hand and squeeze hard. “No. Claire. You’re not crying over my dress. Because whatever that woman ruined or broke or tore, I’m going to replace.”
Aubrey giggles and elbows her. “Yeah, after what Dalt said about finally catching Jeremy in court, you’ll be loaded!”
I blink, amazed she can have such hope. Financial freedom has sounded like a pipe dream for too long.
