Page 107 of A Tempting Seduction

“You sure you're okay?” Ford asked quietly.

I started to give him my automatic “I'm fine,” but the words stuck in my throat. I wasn't fine. I felt like someone had peeled all my skin off and left my nerve endings exposed to the air.

Before I could answer, Little Grandma appeared at our table. Despite her age, she moved with purpose, settling herself across from us with the confidence of someone who'd earned her place as the town's unofficial wisdom keeper.

“Well now,” she said, folding her hands on the table. “You two look like you've been through seven kinds of torture.”

Ford laughed, a tired sound. “Not me. I’m fine.” He put his arm around me and kissed my temple. “I’m worried about Ruby.”

Little Grandma's attention shifted to me, and I felt those ancient eyes cataloging every detail of my face. The unshed tears, the exhaustion, the agony I was trying so hard to keep contained.

“I can see your pain, child.” Her voice was gentle but matter of fact. “Tell me.”

The simple command broke something loose inside me. I felt my chin wobble, and Ford immediately handed me a couple of napkins from the dispenser.

“It's my sisters,” I managed, fighting for control. Only one or two tears escaped, but they felt like they carried the weight of everything I'd been holding back.

Ford squeezed my shoulders tighter, anchoring me. “Horace is going to be locked up for a long time,” he told Little Grandma. “There are likely to be more arrests of high-profile people involved in the corruption.”

Little Grandma nodded, but her attention stayed focused on me. “And you, child? What happened to cause you such heartache?”

The story poured out of me then. How Candice had known Horace back when she’d worked on his campaign in college, and then introduced Dad to Diane, knowing exactly what kind of family our father was marrying into. How she'd pushed for the connection to Horace because it would advance her marriage prospects.

And Carla. Goodness, Carla.

Carla was still trying to get me to believe that I was the bad guy for leaving, even though she was the one who’d been sleeping with Lance.

“She said Dad's death was just politics,” I whispered. “She e-mailed me a couple of months ago. She called sleeping with my fiancé a 'moment of weakness' and said I was being dramatic for leaving. She actually told me Lance was willing to forgive me for abandoning him. Two days ago, she said she was saving me.”

“She was gaslighting you, baby girl,” Little Grandma made a soft sound of sympathy. “How does that make you feel, honey?”

“Like my skin has been peeled from my body.” The words came out raw and honest. “How could Carla try to play with my head like that? It was almost evil. Then there’s Candice's betrayal... I don't understand how someone who shares my blood can think only of herself like that. How could she not care about our father? How could she choose political advancement over our father?”

“Or you,” Little Grandma pointed out gently.

I looked up at her, startled by the simple truth of it. “Yeah. Or me.”

Little Grandma reached across the table and patted my hand. Her skin was paper-thin but warm, and there was something infinitely comforting about the gesture.

“You know, child, I've lived over a hundred years on this earth. I've seen families torn apart by greed, by politics, by all manner of foolishness. And I've learned something important.” She paused, making sure she had my full attention. “Blood doesn't always make family. Sometimes the people who love you best are the ones you choose.”

I stared at her, feeling something shift inside my chest.

“Do you feel like you have sisters here in Jasper Creek?” Little Grandma asked. “Maddie, so down to earth? Fallon, who calls to check on you? Fiona, who understands what you went through with Lance. Zoe who’ll push you past your fears and our dear Chloe, who is inviting you into your world? What’s more, you do have blood family here. Lots of it. My sister is your great-grandmother. I’m your great-aunt. My daughter is your aunt, and you’ve got more cousins than you can shake a stick at. Now that you don’t have to hide anymore, I say it’s high time for a proper family reunion.”

“What’s this?” Ford was clearly stunned.

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. “I guess I might have left out a couple of things,” I sighed, then yawned.

“You’re not kidding. I think after we get some sleep, you have some ‘splaining to do.” He gave my waist a gentle pinch. I grinned up at him.

“Welcome to the family, Ford.” Little Grandma had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, my eyes wide. “We’re not… He’s not…” My voice trailed off.

Ford's arm tightened around me, and I could feel his heart beating steady and strong against my side.

“Are you saying he doesn’t feel like family?” she asked quietly.