And what had Mary done to break them up?
“You think you were his type?” Enid asked her. “You hated Chance Creek, and you knew William intended to stay here. You know what I think? I think you stole him for spite—because you couldn’t stand to see me happy when you weren’t!”
“You obviously weren’t serious about him. You ended up with Dale right quick.”
“I was serious about William,” Enid said quietly. “He was my first real boyfriend, and I loved him, but you’re right. When it became clear you’d poisoned him against me, I moved on and found another man to love. I hope you’re happy with how it all turned out.”
“You slept with William to get back at me, is that it?”
“I didn’t sleep with him,” Enid repeated.
“Don’t think I’m fool enough to believe you. William wouldn’t have helped Dale break the law.”
“Why? Because Turners can’t be criminals? You’re the one trying to steal your children’s inheritance right out from under them! Did you know I’m a lawyer now? No, you didn’t see that coming, did you?” Enid sounded downright gleeful. “I’ll tell you what—I’ll give those kids of yours free legal advice for how to fend off an attack on their rights as heirs. You and William already had a cash agreement, didn’t you? I’m sure there’s paperwork documenting the deal. You can’t come back for the rest now.”
“Try that, and I’ll tell the sheriffs what you said about the pot crop. I’ll tell them you admit Dale was involved—that he was selling drugs. I’ll go to the newspapers. I’ll drag your name through the mud.”
“You think my husband’s name can get dragged any further through the mud than it already has been? Dale is dead, Mary. So is William. I’m here because I care about the living—your children and mine,” Enid said. “I didn’t come here to hurt you. I’m telling you your husband never betrayed you. Can’t you be happy about that?”
Tory and Liam flattened themselves against the wall, but that didn’t stop Enid from seeing them when she came into the hall.
“Come on. Let’s go home, Tory,” Enid said, continuing to the front door. “Liam, you should go to your mother.”
“Maybe I should stay.” Tory traded a helpless glance with Liam.
“If I’m going to save your boyfriend’s ranch, the least you can do is help,” Enid said.
Liam wished he could leave with Tory and her mother. Or better yet, steal Tory from Enid and run away to another quiet campsite with her. Mary headed for the kitchen. Before he could follow her, Maya and Noah slipped into the house.
“We heard shouting from outside,” Noah said. “Everything okay here?”
“No one came to blows.” Liam led the way to where their mother was rummaging in the refrigerator.
“I don’t care if William didn’t cheat on me.” Mary emerged with a bottle of beer, popped the top off and took a long drink, a very un-Mary-like thing to do. “If your father was a criminal, that’s just as bad.”
“Maybe it doesn’t matter anymore,” Liam surprised himself by saying. “Dad’s gone. We’re the ones left here. We need to figure out how to move forward.”
“Exactly. Which is why we need to sell this damn ranch and get out of this damn town.” Mary’s voice rose.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Liam countered. “Do you really think selling the ranch is somehow going to erase the past? Make it easier for you to move forward? Enid was right: you always wanted a way out of Chance Creek, and you made sure you got one. Come on,” he baited her when she didn’t answer. “You saw William and Enid talking in the barn, and that’s all you saw—two neighbors talking. And you left your husband and four children over that. Over a conversation! Don’t tell me you hadn’t already planned to leave.”
Had he gone too far?
Mary was tight-lipped with anger. “You’re right on one count and one count only. I should have left long before I did. But that didn’t make it right for Enid to try to drive me out.”
So that’s what this was really all about, Liam thought. “It’s Enid you’re angry at. More than Dad. All this time it’s really been about her.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“You were friends with her, right?” Liam pressed. It sure sounded like they had been.
“When we were kids. Before I learned who she really was,” Mary took another drink. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe I was a little jealous when she started dating William, but only because she knew I liked him, too. And he should have chosen me. I don’t know what I was thinking back then. That he’d change? Grow up and see there was a lot more to the world than Chance Creek? I never should have married your father. I never should have even dated him. I should have run like hell the minute I graduated.”
“So why aren’t you happy now?” Noah asked. “You got what you wanted in the end, didn’t you? You left Chance Creek and started a new life. Why is it so important to come back, toss us all out and sell our ranch?”
Liam waited to hear her answer. Mary was quiet for a moment. “Something… happened,” she admitted flatly. “And I’ve got no idea what I’m going to do next. It’s not just me,” she added. “It’s the kids, too. Justin and Liz. We’re on our own.”
“What happened to Frank?” Maya asked.
“Those kids aren’t even yours,” Liam pointed out.
“I’m the only mother they’ve known, just about,” Mary snapped. “I’m not going to abandon them. Besides… I adopted Justin and Liz right after my marriage. Maybe I should have told you that.” She didn’t sound half as sure as she had a few minutes ago.
Liam couldn’t keep up. She’d adopted Justin and Liz—and never mentioned it?
“With Frank… gone, I’ve got custody,” Mary added.
“What happened to Frank?”
