No More Lies: A Novel by Kerry Lonsdale

Author:Kerry Lonsdale [Lonsdale, Kerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2022-05-09T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

LILY

Lily stood back while Tyler fitted logs into the cabin’s wood-burning stove that he said would heat the twenty-one-hundred-square-foot house within an hour. She rubbed her arms, wishing she’d packed a heavier coat than the thin puffer she wore. Thank goodness she’d put it in her case. Her mom had rushed her out the door before she could think to grab something more suitable from the coat closet. Lily had only visited the lake house during the summer months. She didn’t realize the temp could drop this low at their elevation. Then again, the house hadn’t been used in over a year. Tyler said so when he unlocked the door.

She shivered uncontrollably. Her teeth clacked louder than her knees. The temperature inside had to be at least ten degrees colder than outside. Though the chill racking her body could have been from shock.

She’d killed her best friend. Murdered him. Left him.

Acute sadness slammed into her like the violent waves off the coast she’d spent her life watching. A hum buzzed in her head as a heaviness settled over her. She was drowning in guilt, and there was no escaping the pain. Unless she confessed.

Which she couldn’t.

Where would that leave her baby? Jail wasn’t an option. They’d take her baby from her.

On the drive up, she’d told Tyler she needed to move out because Dwight had found out she had a job. He was so mad she believed he’d get physically violent. She had bruises on her wrist to prove it. She couldn’t live there anymore.

Tyler had agreed to stay with her one night; then he’d have to return to his mom. He hadn’t told her why he’d left or where he’d gone, and he worried she’d need him. Once she passed—and he’d choked up when he said it, even though they both knew it was inevitable and soon—he’d join her here. Then they’d plan what to do next, where to go. Meanwhile, she’d be safe, far from Dwight. She could stay as long as she liked. He still thought she might want to return home.

Lily didn’t know what her plans were, but they weren’t that. She’d left home for good.

With Tyler’s back to her, she guided a hand over the belly that had started to round, also hidden under a thick layer. He brushed wood particles and soot from his hands. “That should do it. Give it thirty minutes to warm up,” he said, swiveling on his knees to face her.

Her arm dropped to her side as if touching the babe inside had scalded her hand. She forced a stiff smile, hoping he wouldn’t ask how she was holding up, which was barely.

He showed her how to stack the logs to keep the fire burning. He then stood, lifted her chin so that he could study her face. Concern swirled in his eyes like the waves of warmth radiating off the stove.

“Don’t look so scared.” He kissed her nose. “You’re safe now.”

She nodded, her gaze darting away before he could see the darkness building there.

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