Courage renewed, Meg said, “It’s true. Amber and I are sisters. Who would’ve seen that one coming, right? But I want to thank my sister for this opportunity.”
The crowd slowly stilled.
“We hadn’t gotten to the part in Amber’s thorough presentation, but I’m sure it was there, about how we’d sneak out at night and let your cows out, Mr. Bower. And Mrs. Wilson, I owe you a few lawn gnomes. I see you can still get them on eBay, so I’ll get right on that. And Mrs. Beckett? I’m sorry about the paint job on your car. I didn’t know the eggs would do that in the hot sun, but I’ll find a way to pay you back after I get my lodge up and going.”
She held up her right hand. “But I swear, it’s been over ten years since I’ve stolen apples from anyone’s trees, thrown snowballs at windows, or even plucked daisies from your lovely garden, Mrs. Mitchell. I used to do that and then give them to Casey because they’re her favorite. I just liked to see my hardworking sister smile.”
Meg swallowed the tears welling in her throat. “I plan to stay this time, but I also plan to apologize to each and every one of you, individually, for the things I did when I was a kid. I know it’s not enough for me to stand up here and tell you I’ve changed. I’m going to have to prove it. And I will. If you can find it in your hearts to give me the chance. If not . . . I understand.”
Amber leaned close to the mic. “Nice try, Meg. But we all know you’re a liar and just trying to save face.”
A liar was the one thing she was not. She’d just been about to leave, but couldn’t let Amber get away with that. It was tempting to tell them all how Amber had been there encouraging many of those stunts, but that was all in the past. Time to move forward.
Recalling the interesting things she’d learned about Amber at girls’ night, all confirmed by Casey, Meg faced her half sister. She was just about to air Amber’s dirty laundry, but Meg paused. Stooping to Amber’s level wasn’t the answer. She needed to be the bigger person. “I guess time will tell if I’m not being truthful, won’t it? But I wish you nothing but the best.”
After Meg turned off the mic, she whispered to Amber, “Leave Randy. No one deserves to be treated that way. And I’m honestly sorry about your mom.”
Amber’s eyes grew wide as she whisper-yelled back, “Who told . . . those are just more lies, Megan.”
It was too small a town. Everyone knew the truth. The “story” was, Amber’s mother had moved to California, but she was in a mental institution. And Randy was too much a jerk not to brag about all his women to the guys when he’d had a few drinks.
After Amber’s head swiveled, probably checking to see if anyone else had heard, she said, “Whatever, Megan. I’m outta here.” Red-faced, Amber marched down the stairs and out the side door, slamming it behind her.
Silence hung heavy in the air as two hundred sets of curious eyes bore down on her, wondering what Meg had said to set Amber off, no doubt. She gently slid the mic into its stand, then turned and stepped off the stage, struggling to hold it together.
Throwing her shoulders back, she aimed for the rear set of doors, where Eric stood waiting for her. While taking her walk of shame, thoughts of crawling into bed and pulling the covers over her head until next month sounded pretty good.
Once outside, she let her pent-up tears fall.
Josh stood beside Haley in the hallway, waiting for her. “I heard the tail end of that. You did good, Meg.”
When he spread his arms, she melted into his warm embrace and whispered, “I’m sorry you had to hear any of that.”
He held her tight. “What I heard were the words of a brave woman with a big heart who cares enough to apologize to anyone she hurt. We all have a past, Meg. Let’s go home.”
Later that night, still lying wide awake long after everyone else had fallen asleep, Meg tried to slip out of bed without waking Josh, but his long arms reached out and pulled her back against his chest.
She whispered, “I thought you were asleep.”
He grunted. “You were thinking too loud.”
“Sorry.” She chuckled and turned in his arms. His eyes were closed but a cute grin tilted his full, irresistibly sexy lips, so she gave them a quick peck. “I’ll go make some tea and try to think quieter out in the living room so you can sleep.”
Josh rolled over and trapped her under his big, heavy body. “Instead, why don’t I give you something better to think about?”
The gleam in his eyes challenged her to put her troubles aside for a few minutes and play with him.