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Sierra Falls Veronica Wolff 27360K 2023-08-31

"Sorry about your car" Laura’s voice was s her dry throat

Sorroas beside her in an instant, easing onto the bed, pouring soet the car" She stroked the hair from her sister’s head "Hey, you didstill ran"

"Rehed at the ht before Sunday night football"

Laura rested her head back, a wistful smile on her face

"There were times," Sorrow said, "when I wondered who he loved more, that car or us kids I was shocked he handed it down toto save it for BJ"

Laura’s response was instant "Nah Of course it went to you" She looked away, her eyes suddenly glih, and Sorrow could tell her sister was trying to hold back the tears "I always screw things up"

"Are you kidding?" Sorrow took her sister’s good hand in hers and patted it Laura was the favorite, the golden girl--the one who never screwed up "That’s just the painkillers talking You know you’re the family princess"

Laura pulled her hand away "What are you talking about? You’re Dad’s favorite, you always have been"

Sorrow felt her jaw drop open, but darned if she could think of anything to say to that

"Don’t give me that look," Laura said "Dad would never have let ained her voice "As if you’d ever want to"

"Oh, please" Laura scooted herself up on the bed, looking ready to rant "I’d have loved to work uessesthe oldest"

The rooeneral muted buzz and whirr of theabandoned by her sister But what if Laura hadn’t run from the family? What if she’d felt she had no choice but to leave, driven to prove herself?

"You really want to stay?" Sorrow asked finally "Like, to live in Sierra Falls again?" She still didn’t believe it

"It’s what I just said, isn’t it?" Laura sighed

"Seriously, Laura Peret bored and take off again?"

"Permanently," Laura said "I swear I pinky swear it"

Sorro her sister in a new light "You’re being serious" Laura staying She sat with the notion awhat Billy had told her Why not let her sister help ht clicked on

Then Sorrow laughed outright, thinking of another side benefit Sharing lodge duties also"You know, actually, we totally need you Please stay" She gripped Laura’s hand "You must stay I don’t knohat my problem has been anyway You’d be awesome--you have ether"

Laura looked away, fiddling with her IV tubes "Dad would never have it"

"Shut up!" She gave her sister a gentle nudge on her good arain"

"Okay," Laura adht I’ fair But sometimes I think Dad respects hter out there, driving her fancy car, being Urban Business Barbie, but he doesn’t need to be around to witness all the screwups" She blinked a few ti in her eyes "And believe et that," Sorrow said "You’ll be the Sierra Falls Rural Business Barbie And we’ll screw up together" She beamed at her sister "Ohto spend less tiers, and plumbers, and snow shovels"

"I’d be happy to share it with you" Laura gave her a bland look "I’ve been trying to tell you that since I got ho out of h, and Sorroas quick to bring the cup of water to her et you better" Sorroatched her sister’s tre hand reach for the cup and the way her throatwhen he did I’ kiss when I see him next"

Laura raised a brow "Won’t the sheriff be jealous?"

"Okay, you can give hi kiss" Sorrow narrowed her eyes on her sister That she was staying ame "Maybe you should, Laura"

"Should what?"

"Go for Eddie I’ve seen the looks between you two"