Home Torn

By Tijan

She left five years ago because her sister took away someone she loved. It had always been like that. Her sisters were adored while she was ignored. Now she's back, but she's different. She had changed and now sought healing in a cold and torn home.

HOME TORN was the original version of HOME TEARS before it was edited. While the story may be similar, there will be additional storylines dealing with secondary characters. This version is barely edited. It's being published for the readers who fell in love with the original.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tijan
• Release date: Dec 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386194606

Tijan

Tijan is a New York Times Bestselling author that writes suspenseful and unpredictable novels. Her characters are strong, intense, and gut-wrenchingly real with a little bit of sass on the side. Tijan began writing later in life and once she started, she was hooked. She’s written multi-bestsellers including the Carter Reed Series, the Fallen Crest Series, and Ryan's Bed among others. She is currently writing to her heart's content in north Minnesota with an English Cocker Spaniel she adores. To find what to read next of hers, go to www.tijansbooks.com

Book preview

Oh my god.

It was whispered from behind and Dani turned around. She’d driven through town with mixed emotions. She wasn’t glad to be back in Craigstown and now she’d been spotted. It was the first of many, she was sure.

Of course. It had to be Kelley Lynn. She was the popular girl from Erica’s grade, Dani’s youngest sister. She wore the same blonde bombshell look with added highlights atop the same slender figure. Her clothes had upgraded from the too-tight tank-tops to the just-right cleavage underneath a trimming cashmere sweater. She still wore pink, everything had been pink, even the shoelaces…and she was holding a deposit bag.

Is it…is it you? She blinked. Dani?

Hey, Kelley. She flashed her perfect white teeth. How are you? What are you up to now?

Oh my god. It’s you! She wrapped her arms around her. Rocking back and forth, she exclaimed, We all thought…we all thought you were dead. I mean…you didn’t come to Erica’s…we didn’t know what to think.

I was on location for my job. Julia and Aunt Kathryn hadn’t gotten a hold of me.

She didn’t know if they would’ve, had they had the chance.

You’re home? For good? she asked, breathless, her hands still held her in place, as if she feared she would run away.

For a while.

Well, hey! Me and Dave are grilling tonight. You should come! Julia’s bringing Jake. It’ll be the old gang.

Julia and Jake? It had been Erica and Jake. The old gang?

Oh. Kelley flushed, I’m sorry. We all kind of all regrouped you know, after Erica’s thing…Julia, me, Katrina Lloyds, Heather Carlile, and some of the others all formed a clique. Kind of like in high school, but all we really do is get together for dinners and have a few beers around the campfire. Sometimes the girls will all go shopping. It’d be great if you came!

I’ll think about it. First night and all, you know…

They both knew she wouldn’t go.

Oh. Okay. Her smile lessened. Well you’re welcome, you know that. I want you to know that. Gosh. Have you been home yet? Have you seen Julia and Kathy?

Not yet. I wanted to do some business first.

They’re going to be so excited. I just know it. Julia’s going to die happy tonight. They’ve all been missing you so much.

Well, they thought I was dead. So, there’s that.

Oh. Okay…I should get going. Dave needs all the steaks and brats before long. We have to start up the grill before the guests start arriving. A few steps away, she stopped and turned back. It really is great to see you, Dani. Really.

Thanks, Dani murmured. She doubted it.

As one of the windows opened up, she moved forward and produced her checks.

Mrs. Gallows was the same and unlike Kelly Lynn, she did not look happy to see her. Her gray hair was in the same bun. She wore the same pressed pink sweater, and even the same flamingo brooch pinned to her left breast.

Miss O’Hara, your account was closed three years ago. Your aunt emptied your accounts. We thought you were dead.

You can see, I’m not. My aunt was never given permission to have access to my savings account, so my account shouldn’t have been closed.

Nothing we can do about it now.

Dani dropped her bag on the counter. You can open another one and you can deposit my checks.

Their eyes caught and held.

Dani didn’t blink. Mrs. Gallows did.

Fine. Mrs. Gallows sniffed, But you need to cover the registration fee.

Fine.

Fine.

That’ll be fifty dollars for the registration fee.

Take it out of my checks. Dani pushed them over.

As she counted each and every one, she saw her eyes widen with every check as she shifted it to the back. As she typed the amounts in, she then asked, Would you like some cash or a bankcard, Miss O’Hara?

No. Just my receipt.

She slid it over and spoke, That’s $823, 932.46. Anything else for you, Miss O’Hara?

There wasn’t. Thank you, Mrs. Gallows. It’s so good to see you.

Dani had learned the art of being fake. She’d grown up with the three masters of the town, but she needed to go see maybe the one person that would actually want to see her. The other aunt.

Well, hell, the fucking cat dragged something in here worthwhile. Mae slapped her bar towel over her shoulder as she leaned against the counter. Dani caught sight of her feet and smirked. Fifty-three and Aunt Mae still wore steel-toed boots to the bar. Everything else was the same too. Her silver-blonde hair pulled in a haphazard ponytail, a checkered button-up shirt showing a lacy tank top underneath, a tease of cleavage peeking out, and faded jeans.

Dani couldn’t hold back a grin. She had missed this aunt.

One of the regulars looked up from his drink. I didn’t know you had a cat, Mae?

I didn’t, dumbass. It’s a saying, Barney, she snapped, but turned her pearly whites on Dani. Christ’s sake, it’s about fucking time you got your skinny little behind back to these parts.

The regular was frowning, studying Dani. Who’s she, Mae? Barney slurred, tightening his grasp on the mug. She’s purrty.

And you have about the manners of my barn cat, Barney. Mae rolled her eyes. Now shut up, will ya?

Hi, Mae.

What’ll you have, baby? On the house!

You don’t have a barn, Mae. How’s can you have a barn cat? Barney mumbled, dipping over his drink.

Sighing loudly, she turned and replied, I got a barn. Why don’t you go look for it?

He watched her, trying to make her out, but he asked, Where’s it at abouts?

Right behind here, go take a look see. Tell me when you find me that barn cat of mine. I’d like him back someday.

Are you joshing me, Mae?

Barney, she sounded tired, when the hell do I ever josh you? You’d have to be sober for me to josh you. Now git and find me that damn barn cat of mine.

But Mae, he sounded contrite, I don’t know where your barn is and if I don’t know where your barn is, I can’t find you your barn cat.

Then you better find the barn first, Barney, she explained.

Mmkay, but if your barn cat scratches me and I have to get me some tetanus shots, you’re paying, Mae. Just laying the law down there. He stumbled upright. He was a keen negotiator.

Shaking her head towards me, she murmured, Fine. If you get scratched by my barn cat, I will pay for a tetanus shot.

As he stumbled out the back, the buddy next to his vacated seat snorted, Mae, that was cruel, even for you.

Shut up, Jeffries and drink your damn beer while I’m still giving it to you.

Shutting up. He saluted and drank.

Chuckling to herself, she slapped a bottle before Dani and asked, So what finally brought your ever-pretty mug back to these whereabouts?

Mae. Dani shook her head.

Eyebrows arched, she whistled, You ain’t getting off that easy, you know. You better start yapping that yap or your aunt Mae is going to get almighty pissed and Aunt Kathryn may be getting a phone call.

Still the same, Aunt Mae, aren’t you? She took a sip.

Sobering, she said quieter, leaning closer, Seriously, girl, you were always my favorite even though Kathryn and Danielle thought I wasn’t fit to be a part of you girls’ lives, but I saw enough. I knew what was going on and I’m glad as hell that you’re back. About damn time, if you ask me. Slapping a hand on the counter, she demanded, Now you tell me how you’re going to break the news to that sister of yours because we both know that she’ll have some almighty words for you, especially since you missed your sister’s funeral.

Dani’s hands paused at her words.

They were the first words spoken about Erica’s death.

She’d known, everyone had known, but it still wasn’t talked about. Not outright and point-blank.

Aunt Mae blew right through that, like she had always done.

Clearing her throat, Dani murmured, I didn’t know about Erica’s death when it happened so I couldn’t come for the funeral. I’ll tell Julia that when I see her.

Not going to fly with that Miss Priss. She’s going to light into you because you didn’t tell anyone where you were and it’ll be your fault. They’ll turn everything on you. You know that, Dani.

Yeah, she did. But she ceased caring five years ago.

If they wanted me to know, they could’ve hired a P.I. They didn’t care to let me know.

"And how did you find out?"

Dani shrugged and replied, guarded, Just heard around, you know. What’s done is done.

That why you’re here? Aunt Mae watched her niece intensely, studying and scrutinizing. Her niece had always been good at being invisible. If she didn’t want to be read, the girl was damn near impossible to even get a reaction out of her. She had that same look now. Her little protected niece, with a cement wall surrounding her, sure as hell didn’t want to be read about this.

Just time to come back. she evaded easily. I’ll have a Coke and rum.

Ah hell, don’t go breaking your aunt’s heart. You’ll have a beer on tap, not some diet soda crap drink.

Dani grinned and murmured, I’ll take one of those then. Whatever you have on tap and need to get rid of.

Sliding the drink across the bar, Mae said proudly, That’s my girl. A pause and a tap on the counter with her fingers, she spoke up, pursed lips, So you going out to see that sister of yours after this?

Actually, I was wondering about a place to stay. I wouldn’t feel right about imposing on Julia and Aunt Kathryn.

The girl was lying, and Aunt Mae knew it. Dani wouldn’t step foot in that home if it were the last place habitable in the world. She was lying through her teeth about not wanting to impose. Julia and Kathryn would love it, give them ample time to tear into little Dani.

But Dani had grown some teeth. It was evident from the strong shoulders her favored niece now wore around. She looked good too. Damn good and that’d cause more problems. Her and little Jakey had been nice and tight, and he was nice and tight with the eldest O’Hara now.

Julia wouldn’t take a shining to having little gorgeous sis around nowadays.

There’d be fighting in that house again.

You look good, girl, Aunt Mae said approvingly. Proud. You look damn good.

Dani shrugged a slender shoulder and replied, guardedly, How about a place to crash for a while?

There’s my place, you’re always welcome. But...if you’re looking for some privacy, the cabin’s always there for you.

Nice and secluded. Dani had always loved it out there. A three bedroom log cabin on a corner of Loon Lake and protected by miles of woods on both sides. It was out in the middle of nowhere, but that’s what Dani wanted. What she’d been hoping for anyway. Aunt Mae had gotten it from Dani’s grandmother. Mae’s two sisters had thrown a fit over the decision. Aunt Mae held firm, stuck her chin up, and dared her two sisters to try to take that cabin away from her.

Aunt Mae won. And since then, the sisterhood had fallen apart. Much like Dani’s sisterhood with Erica and Julia, but they’d been doomed from the start. Dani thought so anyway.

Sounds good. Thanks, Aunt Mae, she said lightly, finishing her drink.

Stay awhile, girl. You only got some fighting to look forward to right now.

Put that way…Dani stayed sitting.

The settled atmosphere that ascended the bar was broken when the front door opened up, sending a ray of sunlight filtering through, alighting right atop Dani’s back. A second later, the door slammed back shut and darkness overcame everyone’s eyes for a moment.

Mae, Mae, Mae. How about a drink to parch my thirst? The voice was smooth and silky.

Jonah Barron.

Glancing from the corner of her eye, Dani saw he looked the same. Except he had a bit more recklessness built into the twitch of his jaw. His hands were tan and strong. Firm. A bit rough from working, but a person could tell the 3D anatomy sculpture was still there underneath those clothes. No matter the bulk of its cloth, Jonah’s infamous build couldn’t be hidden.

The only other difference she could see was that his ruffled curls so rich and thick before were shaven for a clean-cut buzzed look. It agreed with him.

Slapping some money on the counter, he hopped on a stool three down from Dani and said casually, And while you’re at it, you can tell me who owns that delicious Mustang out in your parking lot.

Aunt Mae reached for a bottle and glanced to Dani underneath her eyelids as she set it before him.

She waited a minute, studying her closed-off niece, and then commented, No can do, Jonah. My loyalties lie elsewhere on that topic.

What? he asked, startled, pausing in midair, the bottle held in the air suspended. Are you kidding?

She shook her head, Nope. ‘Fraid not. I know for certain that owner won’t want you bothering him. Can’t tell you a thing.

The backdoor slammed shut and a second later Barney stumbled back to the bar, holding a bleeding arm to his chest. Mae, I don’t find no barn back there, but I’m pretty sure I found your barn cat. He didn’t take a likin’ to me. You might need to pay up on that tetanus shot you offered before, Mae.

You damn fool, Mae cursed, grabbing his arm and yanking it over the counter. I don’t have a barn cat, I was just joshing you.

You was joshing me? He sounded like an insulted four year old. But you said you weren’t joshing me.

That’s the whole point of joshing, you idiot. You don’t admit to it when you’re doing it. She cursed again and yanked him farther over.

Ouch, Mae! That hurt.

Oh shut it. We need to clean this so you don’t get an infection. Barrow, watch the bar for a while.

A guy at the end of the counter lifted a hand and replied, Sure thing, Mae.

Come on, Barney. Let’s clean this in the back.

You make sure that’s all you’re cleaning up.

Shut up, Jeffries, Mae shouted over her shoulder.

Shutting up. He saluted and took another drink.

As they disappeared into a back area, Jonah turned to Barrow and asked, Hey, Kevin, who owns that Mustang out front?

Barrow shrugged and took a drink, You got me there. I haven’t seen a vehicle like that around for a long time, not since Aunt Mae’s little niece took off.

Jonah frowned, You mean Erica and Julia’s sister? That niece?

That’s the one.

Dani had yet to look up as she finished a second drink. She was situated perfectly in the dark, hidden from plain view.

What was her name?

I dunno. Didn’t talk much, but Mae thought the sun set around that girl. She went in a slump for a good few months after that girl took off.

Yeah, I remember that. Whole town was in an uproar because Erica and that guy started hooking up. No one seemed to like that couple, Jonah murmured, his voice slightly muffled as if he hunched forward over his drink.

It was enough for her to hear and Dani slid off her barstool. No one noticed as she made her way to the door and just as her hand reached to open it, she heard Barrow mumbled, It’s a damn shame too. Mae was hoping that girl would come back for the youngest’s funeral. When she didn’t show, Mae went into another stupor for a few months. She got her heart broken by that girl.

Her mind was whirling as she got in her car.

She hadn’t realized. All those years she thought no one cared. She hadn’t realized how Aunt Mae would’ve taken it. Her aunt was so strong and independent. Nothing penetrated her and she just held firm. Unwavering under any circumstance.

Dani hadn’t known.

Arriving at Mae’s cabin, Dani circled around and approached the lakefront. The dock was still sturdy, Aunt Mae kept everything up and she’d put a fresh coat of stain on the wood so it looked brand new. Sitting down at the end of the dock, Dani dipped her toes into the water. It felt warm, fresh, and like a different world.

Water held a refuge from land and air, but the sound of an approaching car interrupted any other daydreams that might set her body to take a swim. Dani stood and walked off the deck, back around the cabin.

Jake’s police cruiser had just parked beside the Mustang and he wasn’t alone.

Jonah Bannon was in the front passenger seat.

Both men were watching Dani as she paused, hands on her slim hips. Waiting.

Ignoring Jonah and his piercing eyes, she tilted her chin towards Jake as they both climbed out of the cruiser. Hey, Jake.

He looked like he had seen a ghost. He got out of the car, but didn’t come near her. Jonah remained beside his door, just resting his back against it with his arms crossed.

What’s going on, Jake? Dani asked again, silently cursing as her voice came out slightly huskily. Jake had once whispered she had a throaty voice that could turn heads and knees. It worked on his every time.

He shifted on his feet and glanced upwards to her. I didn’t believe it. Uh…, he coughed again, clearing his throat a second time. Uh…Julia knows you’re back. She called me to tell you that you can’t go to the house, but I…I can’t believe it’s you. I didn’t believe it.

Tonight? But Dani knew better.

You never called or came back for Erica’s funeral and Julia’s got a lot on her plate with taking care of her aunt Kathryn.

My aunt Kathryn.

Uh. He was visibly shaken. Yeah.

Jake.

Yeah? He kept shaking his head.

You go back, Dani spoke up. And tell Julia that I heard her message.

Jake waited, but when no other message followed, he glanced up in surprise. That’s it?

What else do you want me to say?

I don’t know…I just…

Dani saw the struggle and she caved. She crossed to him and leaned close to kiss his cheek. Once. Softly. Then she held his head and pulled his forehead down to her lips where she placed another tender kiss there. Standing close, she whispered, I loved you and that love doesn’t disappear, but I’m back and things are different.

What about Julia? Not Erica.

They’d never discussed Erica. Not in five years, not in the four he’d been with her and held her hand as she died before him.

What about Julia?

She’s, he looked up and held her eyes. She lost a sister, Dani. Julia’s not…she needs Aunt Kathryn and me now more than ever.

Then you best stay away from me. It can’t be easy for Julia knowing that I’m back.

He caught his breath, searching her almond eyes.

You look so much like your mother. Do you know that, Dani?

She hadn’t seen a picture of her mother in eight years. They’d been burned after the funeral.

Dani stepped back. How do you know that?

Jake shook his head. Never mind.

Jake—

I best be going now, Dani. You said it yourself. It can’t be easy for Julia knowing that I’m here talking with you.

She nodded.

Moving back to his door, he paused. Where’ve you been these five years, Dani?

Why are you back now? That was the unspoken question felt in the air.

No one was surprised when she didn’t answer.

Jake slid back into his car and a second later, the police cruiser was heading back down the driveway. Jonah was studying her Mustang.

It’s not for sale and you can start walking. It’s two miles before you’ll see anyone for a ride.

Jonah flashed a smile. This is a sweet ride.

Which is why it’s not for sale.

Which is why you’re going to get to know me very well.

I got no time for charmers like you. It’s wasted on me so save that smile for some other weak-willed girl. Ignoring him and everything else, she went inside and locked the door.

It had been almost three months since she’d had a full night’s sleep. The nightmares were the worst. They ripped through her, caused her to wake up gasping, feeling the sudden onset of rushing waters, ready to drown her. The screams surrounded her and caused her heart to clench in ice-cold fear.

Some were paralyzed, some ran, and some tried to fight. But, you see, in those situations when it’s life or death, you can’t fight if there’s nothing to fight against. Sometimes you just gotta run…and pray. Pray fervently with every breath in your body. That’s all a person can do some days.

Dani had never been a religious person. She’d grown up going to church. Aunt Kathryn dragged them every Sunday, even when Julia and Erica were hung-over from their latest drunken escapade the Saturday night prior. But it never stuck. It was just an uncomfortable building that she sweated in and was rewarded with a slap every time she shifted to appease the ache in her back.

No, she’d never been a religious person then, but she was one now. She learned to pray to God and some days she learned that he answered.

He answered her one time. That was enough for Dani.

But nights like these, in her solitary cabin, the nightmares kept her awake. Some nights were worse. She thought, at first, that the noisier the city, the more she’d be restless and the nightmares would be even more alive and in the flesh. It made sense, so why not find somewhere absolutely peaceful and quiet?

But, even there, in that secluded cabin with silence and stillness surrounding—the nightmares came.

People screaming. Babies crying. The pounding of desperate sprints for life. And the wall of water that rained down on them, silencing all prayers. That’s what kept Dani awake at night.

Gasping, she moved to the edge of the bed, the same nightmare still vivid in her mind and body, Dani dragged in some air and exhaled.

She could still hear the sirens in the distance. She flinched.

Hell… Dani cursed, catching a glimpse of the clock. Three in the morning, she’d gotten five hours of sleep. She hated to admit it, but she tried to put off sleep as long as possible. But it was inevitable.

She’d been given a card for times like this. Times when she’d been preached to about. If the nightmares kept coming, she’d need to talk. But that was the problem. Dani didn’t talk unless it was necessary. She still got five hours of sleep. She didn’t need to talk, but her hand still reached for her purse and pulled out the card. The number was bold and black. Emblazoned for easy reading.

You’ve been through an awful and horrible event in your life. You’ll need help and when you want it, it’s there, Dani.

That’s what she’d been told when she told them she was leaving for home as she checked herself out at the front desk.

She couldn’t heal there so she’d heal at home.

Stretching her neck, kneading the sore muscles there, she moved to the kitchen and ran a cold glass of water.

She heard another voice from the past, the recent past, I’m here for you, Dani, if you decide to stop running. I’ll always love you, you know that. I’m here for you, but I can’t keep following you around.

Boone had asked her to marry him.

She was staring out the kitchen window with a bare finger.

She’d made her choice. Her hand twitched, spilling water into the sink.

Sighing, she placed her cup on the counter and glanced to the clock again.

Three a.m. That meant that Aunt Mae would probably still be awake. Dani changed into a pair of jeans and tank-top. Purse over one arm, she grabbed her keys and hotfooted it to the Mustang. A second later, she was speeding back through the twists and turns of her driveway. As she came upon the main highway, Dani let the car sit and idle a second. Just over the ditch, right alongside the highway, was the town’s livelihood.

Falls River.

It encompassed their entire state and wound its way all the way through the next two and into Canada. Most of the workers who settled in Craigstown worked at the dam, not far north. It kept their town with food and fuel. And life. Many nights she remembered jumping off a certain bridge, not three miles from Mae’s place.

It was Tenderfoot Rush. A bridge where everyone, every teen and every adult, had jumped off, either naked, dressed, or in swim trunks. Everyone did it; it was the favored pastime of the summer. If you couldn’t find anyone in town and it was over 100 degrees in humidity, that meant a person just had to check Tenderfoot Rush. They were always there. The place was built on memories—from everyone. And so many decided to make the trek to Mae’s Grill, just three miles south. Many tubing trips started at Tenderfoot Rush and pulled out at Mae’s Grill.

There were still a few cars in the parking lot and she heard yelling from inside. Barney, get the hell out of here before I skin your cat alive. You hear me?! Mae was screaming.

Aw, come on, Mae. I don’t got nowhere to sleep tonight. Can’t drive, you made sure of that when you took my keys.

I don’t care. It’s not my problem. If you’re fool enough to get annihilated and think I’ll let you drive out of here, just inviting a lawsuit against my bar—you’re a damn fool. You drink, that means you’re not driving, but that still means you’re not my problem. Now git! Get out of here!

But, Mae… He slumped on his stoop at the bar.

I mean it and don’t make me roust the sheriff from his sleep. Hank don’t take no likin’ to drunks on these nights.

Barney retorted, his speech slurred, He wouldn’t come. More’n’likely he’d send one of the deputies, maybe even Jakers. Jakers is nice to me.

Mae slapped a towel on the counter. Jake is nice to a barn fly, but I give him the say-so and he’d have your ass slapped with a court order to stay away from the likes of here. You can go and join the other wrecks at Phillsby’s Tank.

Ah, now…come on, Mae! His head whipped up, but he had a hard time focusing on where Mae stood because he was looking to the left. Mae stood to his right. Don’t be doing that and making those threats. Phillsby’s Tank is nothing but a biker bar. Those Hell’s Angels ride in and out of there on a daily basis. I can’t be seen around no Hell’s Angels.

Then you better get up and git. Now.

But I don’t got no place to sleep, Mae, he whined again, settling his forehead on the counter again. And Jakers is too nice to do something like that.

That boy is my future nephew-in-law. If I put the screws to him, he’d buckle and ya’ll knows it.

Yeah, from a family that don’t even want you around no more. Barney had a death wish, and a second later his words penetrated his skull and he was up looking alarmed and pale. Oh gosh—I didn’t mean…Mae, that didn’t come out right. I’m sorry—

You. Get. Out. Now.

I’s going, Mae. I didn’t mean nothing by what I’s just said. I mean it, Mae. I speak without a brain thought sometimes, you know. I’m sorry, Mae…, But he made a scramble for the door. He turned back and opened his mouth, but nothing came out when his eyes alighted onto Dani’s form.

Mae saw his pause and turned too.

She sure is purrty, Mae.

Mae threw a bottle at him. Every damn night it’s the same thing over and over. I’m getting tired of that boy. He needs professional counseling, if you know what I mean.

Dani remained frozen in one spot. Tired…and knowing that she looked pale as a ghost. The nightmares still resonated with her.

"I should just make Jake kick him out of town. Barney don’t got no family here and he doesn’t have a job. He’s got nothing. Jake could take him out of town in his cruiser and let him hitchhike to the next town with a soft-spot for a young kid like him who’s in obvious need for therapy." Mae kept griping, cleaning faster and faster.

Mae.

No. Mae shook her head. No, girl. You sit and help yourself to some coffee. I brewed a fresh batch not long ago. It always takes all my energy to argue with that damn stubborn drunk. Skin his cat alive next time he pulls another stunt like tonight. No more. He always says he won’t be a problem if I let him have the bottle, but he’s always harping for a place to sleep.

Spotting the coffee, she poured herself a mug and sat down.

That Jake stopped by not long after you took off this afternoon.

Yeah. Dani took a sip. I talked to him for a little bit. Julia doesn’t want me out at the house. She doesn’t even want me to see Aunt Kathryn.

That—! Mae whipped her rag across the now-empty bar. Can’t say I’m surprised. She heaved a deep sigh to calm herself.

Yeah, well… Dani shrugged. Neither am I.

So what are you going to do? You don’t strike me as someone who’d put up with that.

I did before.

You’re not you from before.

Dani narrowed her eyes. "What