Page 27 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

They stared at each other for a moment before Suz spoke again, this time softer, but still as insistent. “Just because that woman contacted you doesn’t change a thing. You guys are under no obligation to speak with her. She doesn’t get any say in what happens going forward.”

“I know.” Chelsea and Charity said it at the same time.

Charity stared down at her hands and her engagement ring flashed brightly. A single spark of light that broke through the darkness in so many ways.

“I know…” Charity repeated, slower this time. “Because I have a rock-solid family that loves me unconditionally. You two. Dustin. The Stones. Fern and Cody.” She glanced up at the screen, the hurt from the flash from the past retreating enough for her to breathe again.

“But if she’s been working on…” Chelsea’s words died off. She swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and met Suz’s eyes. “If she’s been working to become a better person, that’s a good thing. But it’s not a thing that affects us.”

“Right, my love.” Suz pressed a kiss to Chelsea’s forehead. “We live in the here and now, with solid plans for the future. The past is done.”

So much rushed through her brain, Charity found herself clinging to the edges of the table. People could change, and that was a good thing. But even the reminder of what had happened in the past, between the lack of parental love and what was basically emotional abuse, sent Charity back into negative memories.

Not a place she wanted to go.

The end of the conversation was full of virtual hugs and affirmations of love, and that’s what made it possible for Charity to flip into solution mode.

When Dustin picked her up and they headed toward Diamond Valley for lunch, Charity was still mulling over her options.

They were parked outside the restaurant before the fact they’d both sat in complete silence for the past forty-five minutes registered.

She knew what was distracting her. But Dustin? He’d been quieter than usual lately, a clear sign that something was on his mind.

Time to get it all out in the open.

She laid a hand on his arm before he could open his door. “Wait a sec. I need to tell you something, and I don’t want to do it where we might be overheard.”

Dustin blinked as if coming out of a cloud. “Something wrong? You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Only I don’t want any eavesdroppers fueling the Dus-Tee social media tank again.”

He twisted in his seat. “Go on.”

“Our mother contacted both Chelsea and me today. Said she was working on herself, apologized. Threw dad under the bus a little, and then said she wants to meet in person. To be a family again.”

“Oh, hell no,” he said instantly.

A laugh managed to escape. “Suz said the same thing.”

“Suz is a brilliant woman who loves your sister. And I’m the man who loves you, and no way, no how, does even a new-and-improved version of your womb-provider get any say in your life.”

“Agreed.” Charity slipped her fingers into his. “Growing up we didn’t deal with physical abuse, but it wasn’t healthy. Chelsea and I have done a lot of work to break free of the pain of the past.” She met his eyes. “That’s not a place a truly loving person, who had ‘worked to become better’ would willingly send a child they’d abused.”

“Good for you for seeing that.” He lifted her fingers to his lips. “What’s the plan? Do you know what you want to do?”

“I thought I should talk to Caleb. Ask if he can get the Silver Stone lawyers to talk to her. Tell her on behalf of Chelsea and I that she’s not allowed to contact us again.”

Dustin nodded slowly.

“I already blocked her number, but I know she could get a new one. I refuse to hide my entire life, so she needs to know to stay away.”

Dustin cupped Charity’s face in his hand. “You’re strong, Tee. Strong and beautiful, and I’m very proud of you right now.”

She leaned in and took the kiss he offered, staying close when he would have pulled back. “Your turn.”

He blinked. “Um.”

“What’s got you waking up in the middle of the night?” she asked quietly. “I don’t think it’s something terrible, but you are pondering.”