Page 51 of A Return For Ren

She knew what she was getting herself into. If it went sideways and downhill fast, that was her fault.

Her eyes were open this time.

“Yes, you did,” she said to Willow.

“Now what?” Zane asked. “Or don’t you know?”

“We’ve had a few dates. He’s here until the end of January. We’ve talked. I’ve been upfront and clear with him. His reasons for leaving last time couldn’t be the same. He said it was because of his father. Ryan is no longer here.”

“Willow,” Lily said. “You can take your muffin into the living room to eat while you watch cartoons if you want.”

“Yay,” Willow said. “I like adult talk in the house. Then I can do all the things that I’m told no other times.”

Zara laughed when Willow ran into the other room with her plate. “She has your number,” she told Zane.

“Always,” Zane said. “Explain more what you said.”

“Zane,” Lily said. “That is between Ren and your sister.”

“You want to know too or you wouldn’t have sent elephant ears out of the room,” Zane said.

She had to grin at that. Willow always did hear things she shouldn’t and then shared them.

“I’m not as nosy as my sisters,” Lily said. “If Zara wants to share I’m all ears. If she doesn’t, I won’t pester her.”

Which was another thing she loved about her sister-in-law.

Those three girls had enough eyes on them in life. They had it harder than anyone could ever know unless they walked a few feet in their shoes.

“I do want to share. That is why I’m here. You know he broke up with me because he said he wasn’t coming back here. I’m not telling you anything new here. I wanted to know upfront if there was a possibility he’d consider moving back.”

“What did he say?” Zane asked.

“Since she said they are dating,” Lily said, “I’m sure Zara got the answer she wanted.”

“He said he wasn’t tied to where he was. He could work anywhere. He was open to the possibility. His mother wants to get to know her grandson. I think Ren needs to be able to mend that fence with Tess too.”

“So it wouldn’t be for you that he’d come back?” Zane asked, frowning again.

“Stop it,” Lily said, lightly slapping his arm. “Does it matter the reason he was willing to come back? The fact is he is. End of story.”

“Thanks, Lily. I thought the same thing as Zane and then told myself exactly what you said. I can’t have it both ways. I asked him a question and he gave me the answer I wanted. The reason he’d be willing to come back is most likely because the reason he left doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Which is horrible,” Zane said.

She sighed. “Those are my words, not his. Don’t take everything I say so seriously.”

“Are you sure you aren’t feeling sorry for him?” Zane asked. “You did back then with the way his father treated him. Then everything with Max. You’re a bleeding heart. We all know it.”

“I am one, but I’m not stupid enough to date someone for those reasons. I’d offer to help, but I wouldn’t sleep with them.”

“Jesus, Zara,” Zane said, looking as if he were in pain. “Why did you say that?”

“To get you to stop,” Lily said, giggling. “Your sister is a grown woman. She knows what she is doing. She came here to tell you what was going on and get our support in her decisions, not for us to doubt her.”

She got up and hugged Lily. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Your brother is a work in progress, but he’s my work in progress.”