Until Lilly(46)
“Cops are on the way,” Nico says, walking back over to us. “When they get here, I want you to make sure that you tell them everything that happened. And I want you to tell them that you are pressing charges and applying for a restraining order.”
“Okay.” I take a breath, letting it out slowly. It takes about thirty minutes for the cops to arrive. They ask a few questions and take pictures of my car window, and then the back of my head at Cash’s demand. After they leave, I look at Cash and Nico. I can tell that they are up to something. “What’s going on?” I ask impatiently.
“Nothing, sugar. Why don’t you go see Ashlyn? She’s in the trailer with Mom. Me and Cash will take your car and get the window replaced.”
“But—”
“Baby, go inside. When you’re ready, I want you to take my truck and the kids to my house. I will be home later.”
“But—” I try again, getting sick of people not letting me get a word in. He shakes his head, and then wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush with him. His face goes into my neck, and I can feel him taking a few deep breaths.
“I want you to go inside and sit with Mom until you’re ready to take the kids home,” he repeats.
“What are you going to do?”
“I'm going to get your car fixed. Then I'm going to meet up with my dad.”
“And that’s all?”
“That’s all,” he says, avoiding my eyes.
“Please, don’t do anything stupid. And you,” I say, pointing at Nico, “if he gets in trouble, I'm going to hurt you.”
Nico smiles, and then looks at Cash. “Whatever you say, sugar,” he says, walking off to my car.
“Please be careful,” I say, standing up on my tiptoes, pressing my mouth to his. Cash groans, wrapping his arms around me and plastering me against him.
“I won’t be long. Hang out with Mom for a while, before you take the kids home. We can order in food if you want.”
“So, you don’t want fish sticks and tatter tots?” I ask, knowing that was the only thing left in our freezer.
“No, thanks.” His face looks disgusted at the idea of fish sticks, making me laugh.
“Okay, I will see you in a little while.”
“See you,” I say, taking a step back. He starts to walk off, and then turns abruptly, walking back to me. His hand goes to the back of my neck and pulls me forward, being mindful of the back of my head, and this time, the kiss is all tongue and teeth, and when he pulls his mouth from mine, I'm completely breathless. “What was that?”
“Love you. See you when I get home,” he says. His eyes flash before he turns and walks to my car, climbing inside. I go up the steps of the work trailer and watch as he pulls away. Once I can no longer see him, I go inside and sit with Susan for a while, watching the kids finish a project she has set up for them. While they are occupied, I explain to Susan what happened with the police, and why they took me in for questioning last week. I’m so worried she won’t believe I didn’t do what they accused me of, until she pulls me in for a hug, much like my mother would do. When she pulls away, she puts her hands on each side of my face, holding me gently.#p#分页标题#e#
“You know I wouldn’t believe you could do something like that.” She pushes my hair away from my face. “You are an amazing woman, Lilly, and I know you are a good person. You’re good for my son, my grandson, and my family. I hate that I have missed so much time with you and my granddaughter, but now that you’re here, I will do everything in my power to make sure you stay right where you are. You and Cash both deserve to have something good, and it’s not very often that God offers you a second chance at love. I know Cash has told you some of the stuff that went on with Jules, but I'm sure that my son has kept most of that bottled up. I doubt any of us really know everything he went through. He doesn’t like people to feel sorry for him. But as God as my witness, I hope that woman burns in hell for what she did, not only to you and Ashlyn, but for the pain that she has caused—and continues to cause—my son and grandson. I know I shouldn’t wish something like that even on my worst enemy, but she deserves it,” she says, looking over at the kids. “You both have a lot to be thankful for.”
“Thank you,” I mumble over the giant lump that has invaded my throat.
“You don’t need to thank me. That’s what family does. We may all fight and argue and get on each other’s nerves, but if one of us stumbles even slightly, there is always someone there to lend them a hand.” Her eyes search my face before turning serious. “Be strong for my boys; they need a woman who will not only show them what the power of a strong woman’s love is capable of doing for the soul, but they need a woman who will fight to keep them.”