Read Online Her Mother's Daughter by Lesley Crewe - Free Book Online Page B

shot through them both. Everything and everyone else was forgotten.
    He eventually led her upstairs and the rest of the night was filled with the soft sounds of skin against skin and their breathless whispers.
    It was daybreak when Dermot got up from the bed and went over to the window. He stood there for a long time. When he finally looked back, she was awake.
    â€œHi.”
    She smiled. He walked over to the bed, grabbed his jeans off the floor, and put them on.
    â€œYou’re a dangerous man, Dermot.”
    He pulled up his zipper. “Why’s that?”
    â€œYou made me feel too much.”

    Tansy let herself in the back door quietly. She wanted to go upstairs and put on her bathrobe, so she could walk back downstairs and put the coffee maker on for Bay. But that idea was thrown out the window, because as soon as Tansy stepped into the kitchen carrying her sandals Bay waylaid her.
    â€œDid you have a nice time?”
    Tansy jumped. “God, you scared me.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œI hope you didn’t wait up for me.”
    â€œOf course not. I couldn’t sleep and noticed your car wasn’t in the yard. Where have you been?”
    Tansy threw her shoes in the corner and sat at the table. “I’m not sixteen and you’re not Mom,” she laughed.
    â€œNo, but you’re still my house guest. I was worried.”
    â€œIs that what I am?” Tansy frowned. “A house guest? I’m not your sister who grew up in this house too?”
    â€œYou might be my sister, but you’re almost a stranger and I don’t know how long you’re staying. You won’t tell me. Maybe you’re here just long enough for Ashley to learn to love you before you disappear again. And I’ll be left to pick up the pieces.”
    â€œStop, Bay. Stop making me feel guilty all the time. Don’t you think I feel badly that I didn’t come back for Mom’s funeral? That I regret it? Do you think it’s easy to come into this kitchen and not miss her like crazy? You lived with her. I didn’t.”
    â€œAnd whose decision was that?”
    â€œI had no choice.”
    â€œBullshit.”
    Tansy stood up. “I couldn’t come back to this house when I knew she was dead. I would’ve gone out of my mind. Trust me on that, Bay. You were better off without me.”
    â€œI needed you, even if you’d been no help at all. I needed someone to hold my hand while I held Ashley’s.”
    â€œStop it!”
    They turned. Ashley was in the doorway looking frightened. “Mom, stop fighting with her. You’ll make her leave.”
    â€œI’m not—”
    â€œYou are. Don’t do this to me.”
    Tansy stepped towards her. “Sweetheart, it’s not your mother’s fault. It’s mine.”
    Ashley shook her head. “She always does this. She’s always sad and she has to make everyone else sad around her.”
    â€œIs that what you think?” Bay whispered.
    â€œIt’s true, Mom. You’re not happy about me and Matt. You’re not happy that your sister’s finally come home. Why can’t you just be happy?”
    â€œExcuse me.” Bay went out the back door.
    Ashley yelled after her. “Fine, go sit on your stupid swing. That’s all you ever do.”
    â€œIt’s okay, Ashley. Come sit down.” Tansy pulled her to the table and made her sit. “Listen to me. Please don’t be angry with your mother. This is between us. It has nothing to do with you, okay?”
    â€œI’m so happy that you’re here. I want her to be glad too.”
    â€œThen don’t be hard on her. She doesn’t deserve that, because she’s had a terrible time of it and she’s right. I should have been here for her.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œGo to her.”
    Ashley nodded and went outside. Tansy pressed her palms into her eyeballs. Her head ached. She slowly went