Page 73 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“How did everyone take it?”

“There were tears, a few curses, but they’re all optimistic.Especially after your grandfather came in and told them he wasn’t going down without a fight.”

Ashley smiled despite herself.“He’s always been a fighter.”

“He has.”

“But cancer… it’s unpredictable.”

“So is the stock market, yet he’s managed to make it work in his favor.”

“True.”She turned away from Mabel, leaning against the stall.“Do you think he can fight this?”

“I think he’s going to give it a hell of a try.”

Emotion swelled inside her, tears pressing at the backs of her eyes.She tried to hold them at bay, but after everything that had happened with her grandfather, with Gabe and Carter, she just couldn’t.Tears flowed down her face in a constant stream.

“Geez, I’m a mess,” she muttered as Carter reached out, taking her hand and pulling her into his embrace.

“It’s a lot.”

“It just seems so unfair, you know?I’m finally back… and this could be our last Christmas here.”

Carter shook his head because even he didn’t believe that.“I promise you, it won’t be.”

“How can you promise that?”

Carter brushed the tears from her cheeks and smiled.“Because your grandfather is too stubborn to die.”

A watery laugh escaped her.“I’m serious.”

“So am I.Your grandfather is a man of his word, and he just promised his entire staff that he would fight, so I know without a doubt, he’s going to give it everything he has, and this new trial is promising.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?You told me about Gabe and what happened that night; why not tell me about this?”

“Because it wasn’t my secret to tell.You needed to hear it from him.”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry you were burdened with that.People seem to put a lot on your shoulders.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Whether you can handle it or not, is not the point.”

His eyebrow lifted.“Then what is it?”

She stepped into him, resting her hand on his chest.“The point is that everyone seems to lean on you.”She looked up into his blue eyes.“Grandpa.The staff.My family.Me.”

“Ash—”

“No, let me finish.”She lifted her hand and rested back, absorbing his warmth.“You spend so much time making sure everyone else is okay that nobody stops to ask ifyou’reokay.”Her eyes searched his.“So, are you okay?”

He inhaled, his chest rising and falling beneath her hand.“Honestly?”

She nodded.

“I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time, but I’m also the most scared I’ve been.”

“What are you scared of?”