by Ava Miles
“You helped us make things right,” Shelby said, laying her head against his arm. “You helped us find out the truth about our daddy, and it healed our family.”
Sadie thought the healing had started, but she wasn’t sure it was done yet. She still wondered how Daddy was bearing the knowledge his secret was out. Sure, he didn’t know Mama had ended up telling them, or that Vander had told J.P.
From Sadie’s perspective, how could Daddy not want to know what had happened? The suspense would have killed her.
“I do my part for the people in this city,” Vander continued. “Like my dad did. And I do it knowing I could end up here.”
“Don’t say that,” Shelby said urgently, turning him toward her. “Don’t you ever say that!”
He traced her cheek with the hand not holding the flask. “I used to be okay with that. I thought I wouldn’t mind if I ended up the same way. But after meeting you, I don’t feel that way anymore. Shelby, I told you my first wish was to grow old with you, and I mean that.”
She laid her head on his chest. “You’re fixing to make me come undone.”
“We can’t have that, can we?” He smoothed her hair and took a moment. “Dad, I don’t know if you can hear me, but…I have a good business and good people I work with. And I’ve found a woman I love more than anything in life. She’s made me wish for things I’d stopped wishing for a long time ago. Love and family and a sense of belonging. Dad…I know what I’m going to do with the rest of my life now.”
Sadie felt more tears stream down her face.
“Dad, I have a great life now. I’m happy. I hope you like hearing that…if you can hear me.”
“He can hear you, Vander,” Mama said softly, giving Sadie chill bumps. “And he’s proud of the man you’ve become. How could he not be?”
Vander swiped at his nose as Shelby brushed tears off her cheeks.
“Thank you for saying that, Louisa.” He lifted his flask. “Here’s to you, Dad. For being so big in my memory and for continuing to inspire me today. I…miss you. And I love you.”
Sadie couldn’t dash at her tears fast enough as Vander took a sip from the flask and then handed it to Shelby. Her sister drank deeply and coughed before handing it to J.P.
“You don’t have to drink unless you want to,” Vander told the group.
“I’d be honored to,” Tammy said, giving him a watery smile.
She took a quick sip and handed it to Jake, who continued to pass it along—even Mama took a drink—until it ended with Sadie. There wasn’t much left, and she made sure to barely touch her lips to the flask, not liking the taste of bourbon one bit. The fire burned her mouth.
“Vander, if it’s okay,” Mama said beside her, “I’d like to invite everyone to observe a moment of silence for your daddy and you and his family.”
He nodded, and they all bowed their heads. Sadie knew Mama normally would have prayed out loud, but she was honoring Vander, who wasn’t a church-going man.
Sadie gave Shelby a smile when their eyes met. Her sister was especially teary, and Sadie couldn’t blame her. Usually she and Vander were teasing each other. Today, in this awful place, they looked like they had the kind of love the wedding vows talked about, the “in good times and in bad” type.
It was the sort of love Sadie knew lasted forever. She prayed to God every night for the right man to love her like that. Maybe she needed to go over to Gail’s fountain like Shelby and Vander had and throw in a coin or two. It kinda sucked to be the only one of her siblings who had yet to meet the love of her life.
Suddenly someone’s phone beeped.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Tammy dug her phone out of her purse. “I told Daddy and Mama to only text me if someone happened with Rory and Annabelle.”
“Too bad Rye and Tory couldn’t make it, what with her feeling so poorly.” Mama said. “I can’t believe her doctor is letting her go more than a week late. Must be one of those new natural kinds of medical folk.”
Sadie knew everything was fine from what Tory had said. “Mama, her doctor says most first babies are late and doesn’t believe in intervening unless necessary.”
Even if it was driving Rye crazy. Sadie had never seen him so strung out.
“She’s in labor!” Tammy cried out. “Tory’s in labor.”
“She is?” Amelia Ann asked. “Oh, wonderful! I’m going to have another niece or nephew.”
“Well, my goodness,” Mama said. “What a blessing. And on such an important day.”
Vander gave a half-smile. “Before Shelby, I didn’t believe it when people talked about synchronicities like that. I do now. I like the idea of a new baby coming into the family on the day of my dad’s death.”
Shelby rubbed his arm. “Might be nice to have some joy on this day after all of the hurt.”
He put his hand over her arm. “It might indeed.”
Sadie thought about the new baby and all of the people waiting so eagerly for it to arrive. But then her mind gave her the image of another baby, one she wasn’t sure had ever been wanted. Her half-sister. She couldn’t stop thinking about her. Knowing Skylar Watkins’ name had made it easy to conduct a Facebook search—one she hadn’t told anyone about yet. She was still praying on it.
“Please go on, everybody,” Vander said, draining the flask. “I appreciate you coming. Shelby, you should go too. I can meet you later.”
Everyone started to leave the alley, but Sadie held back, waiting for her sister.
“I’m staying with you if you want to take a little more time here,” Shelby said quietly.
Vander heaved in a huge breath, like it was torn from inside the deepest part of himself. “No, we’ll all go. I’m finished here.”
He looked around the alley slowly, and Sadie wondered what he was seeing. Did he see the crumbling brick or the overflowing dumpsters like she did? Or did he see his daddy lying on the ground in his own blood?
“Actually I think it’s finally finished,” Vander said, and he bent over and laid the flask down gently on the ground. “Goodbye, Dad. See you on the other side—if there is one.”
He took Shelby’s hand, and together they walked out of the alley, only stopping to take Sadie along with them.
* * *
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* * *
Dear Reader,
I hope you loved the newest Dare River installment as much as I did. The McGuiness family continues to expand my heart with their love and closeness for each other. It’s a joy to be part of their journey.
If you enjoyed this book, I would love for you to post a review since it helps more readers want to pick up this story and enjoy it themselves. When you post one, kindly let me know at [email protected] so I can personally thank you. Thank you for spreading the word!
Are you wondering about Sadie’s story? I can’t wait to explore the next part of this series in THE PATCHWORK QUILT OF HAPPINESS.
If you love Dare River, you might check out my Dare Valley and Once Upon a Dare series, both connected to our Dare universe. Thanks again for being part of the family.
Lots of light and blessing,
Ava
About the Author
International Bestselling Author Ava Miles joined the ranks of beloved storytellers after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND. So far, millions of readers have discovered Ava’s fiction and nonfiction novels. She’s hit the bestseller lists and reached the #
1 spot at Barnes & Noble and ranked in Amazon and iBooks’ top charts. Women’s World Magazine has selected a few of her novels for their book clubs while Southwest Airlines featured NORA ROBERTS LAND in its in-flight entertainment. Ava’s books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s Picks and are being translated into multiple languages.
If you’d like to connect with Ava or hear more about her upcoming books, check out the links below:
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Acknowledgements
Team Ava, who continues to expand and live its highest version.
Eileen Rendahl and Gary Tabke, who supplied all sorts of private investigation goodies.
T.F. For being a king among men.
Copyright October 2016, Ava Miles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.
www.avamiles.com
Ava Miles
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgements