Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(104)

“But, you’re good at it.”

“I’m good at a lot of things.” Liz looked around. “But, I don’t want to be this person anymore, Trish. I’ve buried the part of me that wants to explore and take chances so I could become some person I don’t even recognize. Some person that’s not only run away from her family and the people who cared about her but run away from herself and everything she always dreamed about.

“Do you know I’ve never been to Niagara Falls? How crazy is that? We’re this close compared to most of the world, one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth, and I’ve never been! Or the Grand Canyon. I haven’t seen that either! What have I been doing with my life?”

“Relax. There’s time.”

“No. That’s where you’re wrong. And, I’ve wasted too much of it.”

Liz looked out at the late spring morning. The dew had burned off, and the sun was out, the small, bright green leaves on the trees shimmering in the breeze. It was so different from the dull sliver of street she’d limited herself to for the past six years.

“I need to step off this crazy treadmill I’m on and start over before it’s too late. I want to see Niagara Falls, Trish. I want to try ice skating again.”

“Your butt was black and blue for weeks.”

“I don’t care! I don’t want to miss another ten years of my life! I want to live life without apology. I want to go back—back to when everything was spread out in front of me like a clean page and… and try again.”

A clean page.

Like a page in her scrapbook.

“I want to come home,” she said.

“You are home.”

“Not yet.” A smile pulled at Liz’s lips as she looked at her sister, as the lid to her treasure box burst open with possibilities in her mind. Pandora be damned. “What would you say if I told you I’m thinking of buying the house from Mom and Dad?”

“I’d say your June Cleaver obsession has finally gotten the better of you. Be serious.”

“I am. I want to see it stay in the family.”

Trish sat back in her chair and gaped. “Liz, moving back here isn’t going to fix everything. You’re disappointed, sad, a little confused. Maybe a lot. But, you’ve got a good job in Chicago. You’re crazy if you’re thinking of throwing it all away just because you’re in a funk. Take a vacation. See Niagara Falls. But, don’t jump off the deep end, for cryin’ out loud.”

“Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said? I thought you’d be supportive.”

“I would be if you were talking sense. You’re in a tough spot right now, I get that, but moving back here? That’s crazy. What would you do?”

“I’d get a job. I’m sure there are lots of businesses that could use my skills. Who knows, maybe I can get into staging houses for Valerie’s clients. She seemed impressed with what I did here. I could even take some classes—see if I could get into interior design. I’m not even thirty. It’s not too late.”

“Liz…”

“Maybe then, maybe if I’m here…”

Trish smiled sympathetically. “Liz, moving back isn’t going to fix what happened with Carter. Move on.” She sighed. “As much as you might want to go back, you can’t rewrite the past.”

“I’m not trying to rewrite the past. I’m trying to rewrite my future.”

Trish took another swig of coffee and shook her head. “Whatever you say, June.”





CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

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“DO NOT TELL ME to be understanding, Grams. I’m in no mood to understand a thing.” Carter scowled into his pancakes and stabbed a blueberry with the tine of his fork. He wasn’t particularly thrilled to be rehashing the whole sordid affair again, but he also hadn’t been big on cooking for himself lately. “She was embarrassed by me. Embarrassed by the fact that I wasn’t good enough for her. That’s why she submitted the bid. She was trying to make me into some other guy, some guy who’s up to her level. Well, she can forget it. I’m not proving myself to anyone.”

He was done proving himself. Since the fire, Ted Seamans had apologized and invited Carter back to the department, but it still rankled he’d been so quick to judge in the first place.

Carter shoved his plate away and stalked to the window. He glowered at the drizzle that fell outside. Thank God he was done with the fountain project, because this weather would have put him behind for sure. And, he had Liz to thank for that headache. He’d had to work night and day to get it done in time for the dedication. Thankfully, Rick Mercer had decided he owed Carter and lent him a hand. The kid had fallen in with the wrong crowd and made some stupid choices, but if you could ignore the wise-ass attitude, he was a hard worker. Sure, the kid was a little rough around the edges, but so was Carter in his day.

He turned, the same anger that had fueled him since learning he’d won the damn bid filling him once more. “Do you know she even had the nerve to suggest I have ADHD and might want to consider medication? And counseling?”

Grams stuck her hands on her hips. “Would you stop being pigheaded? First of all, you do have ADHD, we can all see that. If you think it might help, go to a doctor and see what they can do.