She could understand now why Dalton had needed the time away from his children when he was grieving Oceane. You just wanted to get lost in your own pain, no matter how much you loved the ones who were trying to make you feel better.
She eyed the large plate Train had filled as he took the seat next to her.
“I can take her. You go fix yourself a plate.”
T.A. shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Enjoy your food while it’s still hot.”
“That’d be an experience I haven’t had in a while.” Not taking the chance she would change her mind, he started eating.
She laughed, shaking her head. “Slow down. I’m not in any rush.”
Train relaxed, slowing to a moderate pace.
When Killyama returned with her plate, they chatted as the large table gradually filled until it became elbow room only. T.A. sat listening to the easy-going conservations as they ate. She wished Crazy Bitch, Sex Piston, and Fat Louise had decided to come also, but Sex Piston and Fat Louise had wanted to spend Christmas Eve alone with their families, and she couldn’t blame them. She would have preferred being in Queen City with Dalton too.
Handing Ela over to Train, she was about to fix herself a plate even though her appetite was non-existent when Lucky came to the table.
“Anyone here want to give Ginny a break in the kitchen? She hasn’t had time to eat yet.”
“I will.” T.A. stood when Lily started to rise. “Let me, Lily. It’ll give me a chance to work up an appetite.”
She walked off before Lily could object, making her way into the kitchen. As she entered, she looked around and spotted Ginny turning from the kitchen sink as she dried her hands on a dish towel.
Walking farther into the room, she glanced around the kitchen and saw that Ginny was alone. T.A. went around the steel work table to the side Ginny was standing on. She walked to her without stopping and held her arms out.
Her eyes closed in a squeeze as the feelings she felt whenever the younger woman was in her arms rushed through her.
“God, I’ve missed you,” T.A. whispered.
“I’ve missed you too.” Ginny clung to her just as tightly as she was being held.
“It sucks that you’re so far away now,” she complained, pulling back a scant inch to stare down into the face of the woman who was so precious to her.
“I wasn’t expecting you this year. Lily said that Mouth2Mouth is scheduled until after the New Year.”
“They are, but I asked Kaden if someone could open for him tonight and tomorrow.”
T.A. pulled away even though it tore her apart to put the small distance between them.
“Which one should I thank for you being here?” she said suspiciously.
Ginny didn’t try to pretend. “Killyama told Lily that you’ve been miserable since you broke up with Dalton.”
T.A. started cutting a pumpkin pie into slices in case someone entered the kitchen; also to avoid Ginny’s knowing eyes.
“I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re here. How are your performances going? Is the stage fright getting better?”
“The performances are fine, and no, the stage fright isn’t getting any better. Why did you break up with Dalton, Trudy? And I want the truth.” Ginny’s firm voice had her pause the knife over the pie.
“He wants to buy a home. I want him to buy one here in Treepoint.” She brought the knife cleanly down, then cut another slice.
Ginny breached the distance separating them, placing an arm over her shoulder.
“I don’t live here anymore.”
“You will when the Last Riders find out who is stalking you. You love Treepoint. You’ve been saving to buy here. Once they find out who it is, you’ll want to come back here. It’s the only place you’ll ever be safe.”
“I want you safe too, and Dalton can provide that safety.”
T.A. had to set the knife down, afraid she was going to cut herself.
Ginny’s arm tightened, turning her to face her.
“Let him buy a house wherever he wants. I don’t have to live in Treepoint. I can find a way to live wherever you are.”
“No, I won’t jeopardize your safety for a man. I won’t do it.”
“Trudy, I’ve had to watch you sacrifice what makes you happy ever since I was too young to remember. I’m a big girl now. I don’t need your protection anymore. What I need more than anything in this world is for you to be happy. That’s all that matters to me.”
“Your happiness matters just as much to me.” She looked at her sister with love-filled eyes that would have to be hidden the moment someone grew close. It was a choice T.A. had made when she was too young to understand the recriminations to the pain it would put them through. The only other choice was an expense in hell that their parents had planned for Ginny.