“I’m not giving you hormones! And I don’t miss Mom.” Jess pulled Luna into her arms and buried her face in her fur. “Living with her was too stressy. And if I’m honest, Carly doesn’t feel like my sister. I mean, she was only weeks old when Mom sent me away, so it’s not like we know each other. I wasn’t even allowed to hold her in case I dropped her. I don’t hate her or anything, I just don’t feel anything much. I guess you think I’m a bad person now.”
Tyler, who had been judged by people for most of his life, heard the insecurity in her voice and frowned. “I think you’re a great person.”
Jess looked up at him. “I guess I worry about what other people think about me having a half sister I never see. Mrs. Kelly in the store asked how the baby was doing. When I said I didn’t know, she looked all disapproving.”
He was willing to bet the disapproval had been aimed at Janet, not Jess, but he hunkered down next to her and made a fuss of Luna. “I’ve had more practice ignoring advice than giving it, but I’m going to give it anyway. Don’t live your life worrying about what someone else is thinking about you. Firstly because most of the time people are thinking about themselves, not you, and secondly and most importantly, because how you choose to live your life is no one else’s business. You get on with your life and let them get on with theirs.”
“What if they’re all judgy?”
“Then that’s their problem.”
“I guess I don’t want people thinking bad things about me.”
“The people who matter are those closest to you, and the person who matters most is you. As long as what you’re doing feels right to you, and you’re not hurting anyone, I don’t see that there’s anything to worry about.” He stroked his fingers over her cheek and stood up. “Let’s go help Brenna move her stuff. Friends. Family. They’re the people who count, Jess. Keep them close.”
“Do you think there’s something wrong with me that I don’t feel anything?” She blurted the words out. “Because I’ve kind of wondered about that. Like maybe I’m cold and unfeeling or something?”
He cursed under his breath and dragged her into his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. Carly arrived, and you were sent away. That’s going to make things complicated. No one would blame you for resenting her a little bit.”
“That’s not it.” Her voice was muffled against his chest.
“I don’t resent her. If anything, I’m grateful. She’s the reason I’m here, and I’d rather be living with you than with Mom. And I guess I feel guilty because maybe I’m supposed to be sad or something.”
“Right.” Tyler’s throat felt scratchy and raw. “Well, then, that’s good because everyone is happy. You don’t have to feel guilty about that. Now let’s stop talking about deep stuff because it’s making my head ache. Tell me about your day.”
“Mine was good. Better than yours.” She sniffed and pulled away. “Tell me about the reporter. Grandma was worried you might kill him.”
“I tried. He got away.”
Jess laughed. “He was a good skier?”
“He was lucky.” Aware that she hadn’t really answered the question about her day, he made a note to tackle it later. “Let’s go pick up Brenna.”
“Both of us?”
“Sure. She looked pretty sick about having to move out of Forest Lodge, and seeing you might cheer her up.” Reasoning that a third person in the mix would be better for all concerned, Tyler scooped up his keys. “Let’s go before she trudges all the way over here with her cases. We can help her pack up the lodge if she hasn’t already done it. Zip your coat up because it’s freezing out there.”
“I’m not three years old, Dad.”
“Good. Because there is no way I’d be changing your diaper and mashing up your food.”
“I stopped wearing diapers when I was two years old.” Jess grinned. “You don’t know a thing about babies, do you? Can we take Ash and Luna? I don’t like leaving them.”
“Jess, we’re driving two minutes down the track. They’re not going to die of neglect in two minutes.”
“Yes, but it’s snowing, and anything could happen. They might worry about us, especially Luna. Huskies are a social breed. She likes to know where I am at all times. They’re family, and you said family is important.” She grabbed the dogs, and Tyler resigned himself to another drive with panting dogs.
“Come on, then, although where Brenna’s luggage is going to fit, I have no idea, and if Ash howls or scratches my car, I’m taking him to the pound.”
“I know you don’t mean that because you and Uncle Jackson were the ones who rescued Maple.”
“Yeah, well, Maple was cute and vulnerable. Ash is a bruiser.”
Jess buried her head in Ash’s fur. “Ignore him, sweetie, he loves you, really.”
“I do not love him.” Relieved to see her smiling again, Tyler walked to the door. “He’s a smelly, rabid apology for a dog.”
“He is not rabid!” She followed him to the car. “I saw Dana today. She’s going to help me train him.”