Page 15 of Tame Me

He led the way, and we crossed the tiny terminal and headed out to his parked car. “Is Tyler here?”

“No. His flight doesn’t come in until tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, okay.” I had hoped my brother would be here when I arrived. It was always easier to be around my parents when he was there too. Mainly because when he was here, the focus was off me—Mom and Dad were much more interested in their football-star son.

About thirty minutes later, we turned into our driveway, and as I stepped from the car, Mom came rushing out. A sliver of anxiety had me biting the inside of my lip as I adjusted my ponytail and ran my hands down my pantsuit to iron out the creases near my lap.

“Jane.” She greeted me with open arms. “Wow, you look incredible.”

The anxiety melted away as we embraced. “Thanks, Mom, you too.”

She stepped back and touched her hair. “Do you like my new hairstyle?”

“Yes, looks great.”

Mom had been going to the same hairdresser for decades. Martha was both the main instigator of town gossip and the reason why nearly every middle-aged woman in Mildura had short, curly hair.

“Roger, bring Jane’s luggage,” Mom barked at Dad, then grabbed my hand and led me up the path as if I had no idea where I was going.

We pushed through the front door, and she dragged me down the picture-lined hallway. “Everything’s just as you left it.” She entered my old bedroom first and swept her hand before her with great fanfare.

She was right; everything was exactly as I remembered. I’d just stepped into a surreal time warp, and it wasn’t pleasant. It crossed my mind that my distaste stemmed from having to move back into this room after I broke up with Alexander. At that time, my broken heart had sucked me into a black hole that dragged everything down with it.

“Take a few moments to freshen up.” Mom backed up to the door with a smile. “I’ll pop the kettle on. I’ve made a nice apple teacake for us.”

“Thanks, Mom. Sounds lovely.” Although I’d much prefer wine right now.

I sat on the bed and played my eyes across the bits and pieces cluttering the room. Time had stood still here, and it gave me an eerie sinking feeling. Horrid memories flooded back of me crying on this bed until I could barely breathe. I couldn’t believe how much time I’d wasted grieving over what Alexander had done.

With a sigh, I stood and strolled to the duchess decorated with dozens of tiny trinkets. Each one had a memory. Gifts from friends. Gifts from family. Items I’d bought at the show that rolled through town once a year.

None of them were precious to me. When I’d originally packed to leave Mildura, I’d taken everything of importance. My worldly belongings had filled just two suitcases.

All these remaining items could be tossed into a bin, and I wouldn’t be upset.

I unpacked my suitcase, hung up my clothes, and headed into the kitchen, where Mom stood, grinning over her teacake. She wore an apron decorated with pink frills and looked like the picture of homely bliss.

“Here you go, darling. Take a seat. How was your flight?”

“It was good, thanks Mom.”

“You must be exhausted.”

“No, not really.”

She poured tea into a fine china cup decorated with tiny purple and pink flowers. “Would you like a slice?”

“Yes, please, and cream.” Mom’s cakes were pretty special. One day, I’d learn to cook like that. I’d asked Mom to show me how to bake many times, but her teaching skills lacked patience, and she usually ended up taking over.

Maybe Hunter can teach me.

That thought tumbled from nowhere, and it was a timely reminder of how much my life had changed.

Mom cut a slice for each of us and then sat down opposite me.

I pushed my fork into the cake and dipped it into the cream. “So, tell me what’s been happening.”

“Oh, you know . . .” She waved her hand. “Not much changes around here.”

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