Page 104 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“No. I’ve been honest with you about that. I think the anger management classes actually helped him. But it just hasn’t been the same in a long time, if I’m being honest. He got a job promotion, and he’s moving across the country. The position is in New York City.”

My eyes widened. “What? Really?”

“Yep. And I think it’s a good thing. He wanted me to go with him, but I had no desire to go. I actually felt complete relief when he said he’d be moving. I think I have wanted to end it for a while and just didn’t know how.” She sipped her coffee and then looked up at me. “I know it’s too little, too late, but I want to rebuild my relationship with my children.”

“It’s never too late to make things better, Mom. I’m really happy that you’re going to stay, and I don’t know what it is, but you seem… lighter already.”

“Well, according to my therapist, releasing yourself from a toxic relationship can do wonders.” She chuckled. “I’ve filed for divorce. Barry moved out a couple of weeks ago. That’s why I guess he showed up that day at your bookstore. He was angry, and I just didn’t want to say anything to you or Hayes, because I know I’ve said it before, so why should you believe me now? But with him moving, I thought I should let you know.”

“So why did he come by the bookstore all pissed off?”

“He was mad about me asking him to move out. It was different this time. There wasn’t even a fight. I think I’m just tired of it. I was done, and I told him that I wasn’t happy.”

“I think you’re going to feel a big weight lift off your shoulders with each passing day.”

“It’s going to be nice to not feel the need to defend him to everyone in my life. Probably would have been a lot easier to just have listened and walked away a long time ago.”

“Life is all about learning, right?” I felt hopeful where my mother was concerned for the first time in a very long time. She was a good woman who just never had the confidence to do the right thing for herself or for her children. But beneath it all was a big heart. At least I believed so.

“My children are just a lot smarter than me.” She shrugged. “And I don’t mind that. My hope for you, Saylor, is that you make wise choices for yourself. You can lose a lot of time being with the wrong person. It can cost you a whole lot. So be picky, and don’t settle.”

I nodded. I was being picky. I’d found myself the best man out there. A man who made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to.

A man who made me feel smart and wanted and special.

“I definitely think I know what I’m looking for, and I promise you I won’t settle for less than I deserve. I hope you can do the same moving forward.”

“Me, too. I’m really ready for a fresh start. That might mean being alone for a while, which I’m okay with. I’d like to focus on you and Hayes and making things right—or at least making things better.”

“I think that sounds like a great plan.”

“Do you think your brother will be receptive?” she asked.

“That’s the thing about Hayes. He’s all broody and protective, but beneath all that, he’s got the biggest heart of anyone I know. I think if you are genuine, and your actions are consistent with your words… he’ll soften over time.”

“I feel really bad, Saylor,” she said, and her voice broke. “He really lost out on his childhood, didn’t he? I want to blame your father for that, but I hold a lot of responsibility for what happened, too. It just took me a long time to see that.”

“Hayes didn’t have it easy, Mom. I can’t sugarcoat that for you. He made a lot of choices based on what he thought would be best for both you and me. And he has every right to be angry about the things that went down back then. So, maybe instead of arguing and getting defensive with him, you just own it. You say what you’re saying to me. You apologize and tell him that you’re sorry, and you want to do better.”

“I will. And I’m going to prove it to you this time.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” I said, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand.

I didn’t have a large family, and if I could repair this one relationship, it would mean something to me.

“I’d like to start volunteering at the bookstore. You know, so that you can have a break,” she said, catching me off guard.

“That would be amazing. But with the way things are going, you don’t have to volunteer. I think I can afford to bring on an employee next month.”

“Nope. This one is on the house. Time is a gift that I can give to you now. So please let me do this.”

I nodded. “Okay. I’d like that.”

I felt like things were turning around. Like coming back to Magnolia Falls was the best decision I’d ever made.

Maybe my mom and brother could repair some of the damage that had been done.

I was going to do whatever I could to help that happen.

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