The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3)(93)

“What?” Mindy asked.

“You look . . .” Brooke shook her head. “Really good.”

“It’s because we’re leaving for Hawaii in two hours.”

“Actually, it’s the orgasms,” Linc said as he came into the room.

Mindy rolled her eyes, but she was smiling, too, glancing over at Linc with the look of a well-loved woman.

Brooke drew a steady breath, happy for her sister, but filled with a melancholy she couldn’t have explained. “Well,” she said, trying for cheerful, “I’m out, too. Wanted to give you all a hug goodbye first.”

Mindy gasped. “No.”

“And it’s not your fault,” Brooke said quickly, seeing the guilt on her sister’s face. “So stop it. And don’t cry.”

Linc gave Brooke a hug. “You sure?” was all he asked, pulling back to see her face.

She nodded. “I want to get back to work.”

“Uh-huh.” Still holding on to her, he met her gaze. “As long as that’s all it’s about.”

“What else would it be?”

Linc gave her a get real look.

Right. “I’m not running! Everyone needs to cut it out.”

His expression said she wasn’t fooling anyone, but Linc was a live-and-let-live kind of guy. He gave her one last squeeze, whispered, “You know where to find us when you need us,” and stepped back.

Mindy was right there, hands on her hips, eyes now dialed to unhappy.

“I never planned on staying, Min.” And that was the truth—at least in the very beginning. But somehow over the past couple of weeks with the kids, Mindy, Linc, her camera around her neck, Garrett . . . she’d started to realize she’d been feeling happier than she could remember feeling in years.

Mindy cupped Brooke’s face. “I’m so sorry.”

“Min, it’s not your fault.”

“I mean for what happened between us, you and me, to break us up from being sisters.”

Brooke started to shake her head, but her sister gently squeezed to hold her in place. “Please let me say this. If you’re going, I need to say it.” Mindy drew in a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to talk about what happened to you. I know you hate thinking about it. And that’s a big part of why I never pushed you. You put limits on all of us, and I get it, I’m just a wife and a baker, and that you’ve done a lot of things I haven’t. But I know you, Brooke. I love you, and I don’t want you to throw away a chance at being happy just because you’re scared and there’s nobody you can talk to about it. I should’ve made you talk—really talk—to me before, about the crash, about Garrett. About everything.”

“Come on,” Brooke managed to say lightly through a very tight, burning throat. “You know me. No one can make me talk if I don’t want to.”

Mindy laughed a little, but then she shook her head. “See what I mean? You act like it’s nothing, like you weren’t broken, like everything’s okay, even when it isn’t. I should’ve pushed my way into your life, but I didn’t because . . . well, frankly, because I was a bad sister. I let my hurt feelings get in the way. But I’m here now, and I want you to know that I see you and I’m here for you, whether you’re happy or sad or hurt or pissed off, or just being plain stupid.”

“Gee . . . thanks?”

“I wouldn’t be back with Linc if it weren’t for you,” Mindy said seriously. “And I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t say this—please at least tell Garrett how you really feel and give him a chance to tell you back. I’ve never seen two people who deserve happiness more. I know there’s got to be a way to work this out—”

“There’s not.” Brooke forced a smile. “Believe me, we tried. Now give me a hug goodbye.”

“No.” Mindy shook her head. “You’re not hugging me goodbye, because you’re not leaving. It makes no sense. You’re just afraid to put down roots, but you know what? You’ve never even given putting down roots a chance! And you know what else? My friend at the county offices said they were so excited about you and your work for them that they’re wanting more. A lot more.”

Brooke knew this—they’d contacted her as well.

“Are you really just going to walk away from the job?” Mindy asked.

“They knew I was temporary.”

“Your entire life’s temporary!”

Brooke took Mindy’s hand and gently squeezed. “I’ve been in touch with them. They know I’m going. They’ve got all the work I’ve done up to this point.”

“Oh my God, this is all so wrong! You belong here. With us.” Mindy whirled to Linc. “Tell her.”

“She’s a big girl, babe. She makes her own decisions. We just back them.”

Mindy huffed out a breath. “Well, if you’re going to be reasonable.” Her eyes filled with tears as she yanked Brooke in for a hard hug. A strangling hug.

“Too tight,” Brooke gasped out dramatically. “Seriously, Min. Can’t. Breathe.” When Mindy didn’t let go, Brooke sighed and squeezed her back. “Don’t.” She closed her eyes. “Please don’t make this harder than it already is.”