Wild Side (Rose Hill, #3)

by Elsie Silver

“I got hung up at the border today. One of the officers finally called me on overstaying my welcome. Had to call my lawyer and explain the situation at border services.” My stomach drops, and my hands grip my bare knees to keep from shaking, because I don’t like where this is going. “Okay,” I say hesitantly. “Tabitha, he’s recommending I take Milo with me when I leave this time. If I leave him here, he has no legal guardian.” “I—” His large hand falls over mine. And this time, I don’t shake it off. I let him steady me. I’m out of time. “Listen. I know. I know you are capable. Hell, I even know here is the best place for him. I’m not saying I’m going to keep him from you. But changing the name on that form isn’t going to happen overnight. And if something happens to him and I’m not here, then social services will get involved.” My heart beats deep in the pit of my stomach, that sensation of life not being real overtaking all my senses. “You can’t.” His fingers tighten on mine, and I hear a pained groan rattle around in his chest. “I’m sorry, Tabby. It won’t be forever.” It won’t be forever. The idea of being alone with my thoughts, with my guilt, with my grief—it’s just too much. And there’s something about the word forever that sparks an idea in my head. In this instant, I know that I’m about to make a very, very bad decision. But I figure that after being the sister who carefully thought out every choice in her life, I’m due to make a colossally stupid one. And if nothing...