“That’s all you can do. Is Mila still asleep?”
“She’s stirring. We should probably get ready to head over to the Trough. We’ll have supper there.”
“Okay. I’ll go get her ready.” I sit up, running my fingers through my short hair.
“I wish she wasn’t so scared of me,” he admits quietly.
My hands fall to my lap. “You know, I don’t think she’s that scared of you. She’s never been loved by anyone as much as you, and I think it’s just a little overwhelming for her.”
I push up from the bed and walk over to grab a sweater. The nights get a little chilly around here. “You know, she loved this little duck.” I point to the music box on top of the dresser. “Maybe you should give it to her.”
“You think she will like it?”
“She’ll love it.”
“But it’s yours.”
It makes me laugh lightly. I learned a long time ago that nothing is yours to keep. Besides, I would give my life for Mila. “It’s okay. She needs it more than I do.”
“But it reminded you of your brother.”
I shrug. “Someday maybe it will remind her of hers.”
Mila pushes our door open. She and Peanut stand side by side, staring at us. She has her little mermaid doll in tow.
“There you are, you sleepy head,” I say to her. “Are you getting hungry? We’re going to a party.”
Mila perks up at this bit of news. “A party?”
“Yes. Let’s get ready. We’ll need to find you a jacket in case it gets cold.” I scoop her up in my arms and gallop down the hall, making her giggle the whole way.
It doesn’t take us long to get out to the Trough, but as soon as we arrive I sense the tension between the men.
Cole places his arm around my shoulders as I watch Mila play with the other kids from the club. She instantly fit right in with them. I wish that CPS worker could see her right now. Mila’s not shy. She’s going to be a social butterfly. She’s just never had the chance to make friends.
“She’s so happy. It makes me happy too,” I tell him.
“You don’t look very happy,” he notes, tapping the end of my nose.
“Well, I am.” I laugh, wiping my eyes.
“Hey, everything will be okay. There are just some things we have to decide, but like my mama always says, everything works out the way it’s supposed to in the end.”
I watch as the officers of the club begin filtering inside. “You’re having a meeting about me, aren’t you?”
He sighs. “Like I said, I’m sure it will all work out.”
“I wish I had your confidence. I feel terrible for bringing my problems to your club’s door.”
Rage nods his head toward the building, letting Cole know to get his ass moving.
I bite my nails nervously after they disappear. Something tells me my family’s chaos has caught up to me once again.
My gaze roams over the sun that’s dancing just above the mountains in the distance. I don’t know why I thought it would be any different here in Cheyenne. Their troubles always find me.
Mila runs toward me with the biggest smile. “Mommy, look.” She leans back to show me what she has cupped in her hands. A lightening bug lights up between her palms. “It glows.”
She’s in a state of awe over the tiny creature, just like I am of her. She is so incredibly sweet, and she’s healing at a record pace. I’m so proud of her. She’s strong.