Page 37 of Her Forever SEAL

“She’s doing well.”

“That’s good.”

When it was clear that Lettie wasn’t going to say anything more, Sophia figured it was time.

“How's Bree liking Temecula?” Sophia asked.

Lettie's hands stilled on the mugs she was pulling from the cupboard. Just for a moment. “She's having a good time.” She turned and placed the two mugs on the island in front of Sophia. “Bree loves her grandmother.”

“She must.” Sophia kept her voice easy. “Kayla's missed her at practice.”

“She'll be home soon.” Lettie poured them both coffee.

Sophia wrapped her hands around the warmth and looked at her. Not demanding. Not pressing. Just… looking.

Lettie's eyes filled….

She blinked it back. Fast. Turned toward the counter again.

“Lettie.”

“Don't.” Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “Sophia, please.”

“I'm not going to ask you anything.” She meant that. “I just want you to know that I see you. Whatever you're carrying right now? I see it. And you don't have to be alone in it.”

A long silence.

Lettie's shoulders rose. Her hand pressed flat to the counter. She stood that way for a moment, very still, like she was deciding something she'd already decided against a hundred times.

“You can't help me.” She turned around. Her face was composed. It cost her something to make it composed. “Nobody can. And if you try… if anyone tries —” She stopped. Pressed her lips together. “Please. For your own sake. For Kayla's sake. Let. This. Go.”

Sophia looked at her.

For Kayla's sake.

She felt something go cold and still inside her. She kept her expression exactly the same.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “I hear you.”

Lettie's breath came out slowly, like a pressure valve releasing.

“Thank you for the lemon bars,” she said.

Sophia finished her coffee. Made small talk for two more minutes, the easy kind, the kind that let someone feel like they could regain their footing, then let herself out.

She sat in her car at the curb and did not start the engine.

For Kayla's sake.

Lettie hadn't said that by accident. She'd said it to make Sophia stop. To make her understand the reach of whatever this was. To tell her, in the only way she could, that it wasn't just the mechanic families in the circle. That this could easily go bigger.

Sophia stared at the Bowman house.

She started the car and headed to the bakery.

Sophia called Angie as soon as she pulled her car into her spot at the bakery.

“She's been told that asking for help would make it worse,” Sophia said. “Those were her words. 'Nobody can. For your own sake, don't.'“