Page 15 of Lost Truth
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The morning came way before Cady was ready to face the day and all of the pain losing her father brought, but she couldn’t hide out in her room. She strolled toward the kitchen, the comforting smell of bread toasting drawing her closer.
Voices drifted down the hall to greet her, and she tried to find a smile for the kind men and women on the team. She’d cried herself to sleep the night before, and the mirror reflected her red and puffy eyes, but she couldn’t fault her accommodations. The bed was comfy, the shower hot, and the room held zero negative memories as her dad’s place would’ve raised.
She reached the door and paused to take in the situation. Abby sat at a small table, and Reece’s back was to Cady as she cooked at the stove.
Abby looked up and pointed at the chair across from her. “Join me. Reece is scrambling some eggs and making toast.”
Cady pulled out a chair and sat.
Reece spun, frying pan in hand. “Would you like coffee with your breakfast?”
“Yes, please.” Cady gave her a sincere smile. “That’s the best question I’ve been asked in eons.”
Carrying a coffee carafe, Reece crossed the room. “Rough night?”
“The room was wonderful, thank you, but I had a hard time sleeping. Spent way too much time thinking about my dad.”
Abby rested a reassuring hand on Cady’s. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. And I mean that sincerely.”
“Ditto for me.” Reece flipped over a cup and poured in rich black coffee. “Cream and sugar are on the table. The guys have already destroyed the breakfast I made them and are outside doing who knows what. Now I’m scrambling eggs for Abby and me. I can make them any way you want or make you something else.”
“Scrambled eggs would be lovely.” She smiled up at Reece. “Thank you so much. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Now you’ve done it.” Abby grinned. “We’re about to hear how too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the meal.”
Reece wrinkled her nose at Abby. “Actually, I was about to say, ‘No thank you, I have everything under control.’”
“Translated, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the meal.” Abby laughed.
Their good-natured banter brightened Cady’s mood, probably the considerate duo’s plan. She could easily see herself becoming friends with these women. Not that it mattered in any way. She wasn’t about to move to Lost Lake anytime soon. Sure, she could see living in this charming town in retirement like her dad had done or if she ever lost all sense and decided to settle down and have children. It was probably a great place to raise kids, but as a reporter who wanted to make her mark on the world? No, Lost Lake wasn’t her choice for her career goals.
Besides, there was still the lesson her mother taught her. Still the pain she’d inflicted. The doubt she’d created. After having a late-term miscarriage, she couldn’t handle seeing Cady without thinking of the lost baby. The pain was so intense she couldn’t deal and walked out on Cady and her dad, never to return again. Cady had no idea where she was or even if she was still alive. Heartbreaking in itself, but it also proved marriage didn’t last. Didn’t withstand the trials and hardships.
Why would Cady’s marriage be any different?
“Be right back with the eggs.” Reece hurried back to the stove.
Cady turned her attention to the coffee, sipping from her mug and nearly groaning at the piping-hot liquid with a hint of hazelnut.
Abby set down her mug. “I really do know what you’re going through. My mom recently passed away.”
“Oh, Abby, I’m so sorry. Here I am wrapped up in my own grief when you must be suffering too.”
“There’s a difference though,” Abby said. “My mom and I didn’t get along. In fact, I’m pretty much the black sheep of my family.”
Cady worked hard to keep her mouth from falling open. “I would never peg you for a black sheep.”
“I didn’t see myself that way either, but both my parents, along with my siblings and their spouses, are defense attorneys. It was pretty much expected I’d become one too. When I decided to go into law enforcement instead, everyone was horrified over my career choice. They didn’t give me an ultimatum that said to change or I’d be ostracized. They just grew away from me.”
“That has to hurt.”
A pensive look on her face, she ran a finger along the rim of her mug, emitting a humming sound. “You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but it’s still painful in a way I really didn’t expect. Their disapproval was hard to take, and I pretty much stopped visiting or communicating with them. Now that my mom is gone, I have so many regrets over not trying to iron this out between us and spend more time with her. One of the hardest parts about losing a parent, is knowing you’ll never be able to reconcile with them.”
Cady took Abby’s hand and held it tightly. “You’ll be in my prayers for sure, but is there anything else I can do for you?”
She smiled, barely—like she couldn’t manage a full smile. “I can’t think of anything, but you’ve already helped. Until now I haven’t been able to tell anyone how I felt. I guess seeing you work through your loss helped me be willing to say it.”
