“I think you know if I could help her, I would. But, trust me, I’m nothing more than a little break from her reality.”

Will held his gaze, intractable. After a moment, he said, “You know, Mom did a number on all of us, but she hit you and me the hardest. Me, she left behind. She took my brothers and moved across the country. Hard to get over something like that.” He smoothed Ruby’s hair away from her cheek and kissed the top of her head. “But what she did to you was even worse.”

Brodie’s gaze snapped up. Worse?

“Those twisted little mind games she played with you?”

Oh, that. “I’m an adult now. I’m over her manipulations.”

“Not so sure about that. She played dirty.”

“Yeah, not cool telling your kid he’s your favorite. But it was a long time ago. I don’t care about that stuff anymore.”

“Maybe, but we never talk about what went on back then, and we probably should, since I’m pretty sure my perspective of the past’s different from yours. Like, you probably remember asking her to come home, but I remember her telling you she wasn’t sure if she should since she couldn’t handle us. That I was too wild, and everyone followed my lead. That Dad didn’t care enough about us to bother keeping us in line. Or to get you the right care for your knee.”

“I do. I remember that.”

“And I remember her saying that if you, the only good kid, couldn’t keep your brothers and your dad in line, then she didn’t think she should come back home.”

The memory appeared, sharp, and in perfect focus.

Oh, honey, I just don’t think I can do it. Your brothers don’t listen to me.

I think you’re the only one that wants me there.

I want to come home for you—you’re the best. He remembered her laughter—but only now could he recognize how forced it had been. But your dad doesn’t want me there. He’s in his office the whole time. That should tell you right there he doesn’t want me around.

Trust me, no man who wants a woman around looks like Sasquatch.

They might listen to you, though. If you can just get them to behave, just while I’m in town, it’d make it easier. You know what it’s like for me.

Something teased the edge of his consciousness, but he couldn’t grasp hold of it. “I forgot about that.” He’d known she’d manipulated him—obviously—but where was Will going with this?