The Redemption Of Lillie Rourke. Loree Lough

had been more than a year. The minute her counselor felt it was safe for her to leave, she’d gone to work for Pete, waiting tables, scheduling the staff and pitching in wherever else she was needed. It was the least she could do since he’d refused to accept rent for the tiny apartment above the pub. Between her salary—and Pete had been more than generous—and tips, Lillie had saved enough to repay everyone.

      Almost everyone.

      “How are Molly and Matt?”

      “They’re good. Planning a world cruise once school is out.”

      She pictured her little sister, a miniature version of herself, married to a guy who could easily be a Ravens linebacker. Since he and Molly couldn’t have children, they’d decided to save up and travel, instead.

      “Wow. I can hardly wait to hear about this trip. And how are the Sams?” The fact that her brother Sam had married a woman named Samantha had, for years, been at the root of much good-natured teasing.

      “They’re great, too. Got a new dog.”

      “A mutt, like Beano?”

      “No, she’s a Yorkie. Or so their vet says. Clem’s kinda yappy, but that’s to be expected of a pooch you could carry in your pocket.”

      “They named her Clem?” Lillie laughed, picturing a tiny canine answering to the name. “Let me guess...it was Kassie’s idea.”

      “She found her at the playground, shivering under the merry-go-round. Tucked the critter into her backpack, and the minute her mother got an eyeful of her, it was all over. They took pictures and tacked lost dog signs all over the place, put ads in the paper, posted on Facebook. But when no one claimed her...”

      “No microchip?”

      “Nope. But she has one now.”

      That didn’t surprise Lillie one bit. Her sister-in-law, an in-home nurse, gave new meaning to the term caretaker. How she managed to work full-time, run a household, care for a cat and two dogs and keep track of the twins’ playdates and soccer practices, Lillie didn’t know.

      “Do you mind stopping at the Flower Basket on the way home? I’d like to get Mom a little something.”

      “Why? It isn’t her birthday.” He glanced at her again, and feigning panic, added, “Is it?”

      “Relax. No. But Sunday is Mother’s Day. I got her a little something, but I know how much she loves orchids, so...” She shrugged. A bouquet couldn’t make up for years of heartache and disappointment, but it was a start.

      “I have something in my suitcase for you, too,” she told Liam.

      “Kitten, you didn’t have to do that. I’m just happy that you’re home and...”

      His voice trailed off, so Lillie finished for him: “...home, and drug-free...”

      He recoiled slightly at the phrase.

      “You don’t have to tiptoe around my addiction, Dad. If you or Mom have questions, feel free to ask. And if you have things you’d like to say, by all means, say them. I can take it. And anyway, you deserve the truth.”

      Nodding, he turned into the florist’s parking lot. “Good to know.” After rolling down the windows, Liam said, “Want me to come in with you?”

      “Sure. Why not?”

      Once inside the shop, Lillie perused glass shelves lined with floral arrangements, houseplants and orchids. She cupped the blossom of a purple pansy orchid and inhaled its delicate scent. “Is Mom still collecting orchids?”

      He rolled his eyes. “Have you met your mother?”

      Lillie removed the plant from its shelf and took it to the register. It surprised her when her dad slid a pale pink moth orchid onto the counter beside it.

      “She’s not your mother,” Lillie teased.

      He shrugged. “True, but she’s a good egg. And gave me some of the best kids on the planet. So why not.”

      “You’re a big softie, just one of a thousand reasons I love you.”

      Once outside, they gently placed the plants onto the floor of the back seat. After they were seated in the front, Liam said, “Did you mean it that Mom and I are free to ask questions?”

      “Anything.”

      “Okay. Same goes for you, you know.”

      “I’ve always been able to talk to you.”

      “Not always.”

      Her therapist had warned her that from time to time, a comment like that would sting. The woman had recited a list of platitudes intended to help her cope when it happened: Consider the source. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You got through rehab; you’ll get through this. Lillie’s least favorite cliché? Don’t try to go around the mountain; make it your home.

      During those excruciating months following the accident, Lillie had worked hard to spare her family and Jase the truth about her condition. Why worry them about things they couldn’t control, like her never-ending pain? For the same reason, she’d kept her addiction a secret, too. If she could point to a specific time or event that made them see through her ruse, Lillie might have prevented the humiliating intervention. “You’re not fooling anyone,” they’d said. “Get help, or else.”

      Now, she said, “I know, Dad, but that was the old me. This me is very up-front about things.” A nervous giggle escaped her lips. “You’ll probably get sick and tired of hearing me ’fess up all over the place!”

      Liam didn’t respond. Instead, he exhaled a long sigh. “You still mad at me for getting that court order?”

      When he realized how quickly she was going through the insurance settlement from her accident, Liam had seen a lawyer to gain control of her money. She’d fought him at every turn, because his actions would put a stop to her street drugs. He’d won, and she’d despised him for it. In hindsight, Lillie felt nothing but gratitude.

      “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me at first. But time, and sobriety, helped me see that if you hadn’t done it, I would only have wasted every dime. So no, I’m not mad. In fact, I’m relieved that you did it. You quite literally saved my life.”

      Another deep sigh, and then, “You don’t know how pleased I am to hear that. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But that’s all history now, thank God, and I’m glad we got it out of the way before we reached the inn.” He squeezed her hand. “I can have things reversed now, if you want me to.”

      Lillie believed she’d kicked the habit for good. But she’d heard too many horror stories of people who assumed the same thing, only to fall back into old habits.

      “Let’s just leave things as they are for now,” she said. “I’ve paid everyone back, except for you and Mom and...” And Jase. “And it isn’t like I need the money for a world cruise or anything.”

      That, at least, produced a genuine laugh.

      “So, how long before you’ll call him?” her dad asked.

      Lillie had to give him credit. He’d heard that little hesitation in her voice and knew exactly what it meant.

      “I don’t know.” Of all the confrontations, that one scared her most.

      “The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be.”

      “He doesn’t know I’m back, so there’s no rush.”

      The look on her dad’s face told her otherwise.

      “But how could he know? I didn’t know myself until a week ago, when I made the plans and called you guys.”

      “He... Jase sort of stayed in touch.”

      “Sort