Page 83 of Our Now and Forever

Caleb’s face remained calm. Implacable. But Snow knew this was killing him. No matter what Vivien had done, she was still his mother. Snow supported Caleb in his decision, but she didn’t envy him having to make it.

“He’ll cut you off,” Vivien said. “You’ll never get another penny. How do you like that, missy?” Vivien pointed a finger at Snow. “You won’t get your hands on our money.”

“Enough,” Caleb said. “I haven’t taken a penny from Dad since I left college, and I don’t need his money now.”

“He’ll . . . You . . . You won’t get the company.”

“Caleb will have a company,” Hattie said, drawing everyone’s attention her way. “Don’t you worry about that.”

Was Hattie going to give Caleb the newspaper? When did that happen? Snow wanted Vivien to leave so she could find out exactly what these two schemers had agreed on.

“Who are you?” his mother asked.

“I’m the woman who owns this house and half of this town. I’ve been dealing with your kind longer than you’ve been alive, my dear, so don’t turn that condescending look on me.” Waving one arm toward the front hall, Hattie added, “Now get your bony ass out of my house.”

The dying fish act returned as Vivien looked to Caleb for support. He held his ground, arms crossed and face stern.

Caleb, Snow, and Hattie followed Vivien out as she attempted to leave with the last bits of her dignity, ignoring them all until she reached the front door and said, “I don’t know who you are, but you are not my son. She’s changed you, and if you’re willing to be her fool, then you deserve each other.”

Vivien stormed out without waiting for a response, leaving nothing but a cloud of perfume in her wake.

Caleb took Snow’s hand and said, “She’s changed me all right. For the better.”

“Well,” Hattie said, “I thought you might be exaggerating, but that woman is exactly how you described her.”

Caleb wished his mother would have proved him wrong. Hoped that when faced with the real possibility of losing her son, she might admit her lies, apologize, and show some remorse. But no. Not Vivien McGraw. That wasn’t her style.

“I’m really sorry, Caleb,” Snow said. “I never wanted things to go this far.”

He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “None of this was your fault, darling. She made her bed.”

“You really think this is the end of it?” Hattie asked. “She doesn’t seem like the type to give up this easy.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Caleb had made up his mind. Cutting the cord was something he should have done long ago. “It’s over for me.” Ignoring the pain in his chest, he said, “Now we can get on with our lives.”

“Speaking of that,” Snow said, following Hattie back into the sitting room. “What did all that ‘He’ll have a company’ stuff mean?”

That morning, Hattie had expressed an interest in eventually handing the paper over to Caleb. He’d been flattered, but hesitant. Interning with his father and selling ads for a few weeks at the Advocate didn’t exactly qualify him to run the entire ship. If, at a later date, he felt qualified, Caleb would consider it.

“It’s only an idea for now,” Hattie said. “Your husband is being stubborn, but I’ll wear him down.”

Snow returned to her seat on the colorful couch and said, “I’m sorry we lied to you about being married.”

Hattie brushed off the apology. “You had your reasons. I’m just glad you kids worked it out, especially considering what you were up against.”

Taking his hand and pulling Caleb down beside her, Snow said, “My husband gets the credit for that. When I think of what I almost lost, I want to kick myself.”

“You were a bit annoying in the beginning,” he said, giving her a heartfelt smile. “It’s a good thing I don’t give up easy.”

“I’d like to think I was worth the trouble.” Her amber eyes revealed she already knew the answer. “Wait,” she said, sitting up straight. “Your birthday is Monday. I almost forgot.”

“I don’t blame you,” he said. “We’ve never technically been together on my birthday.”

“Then I suggest you make this a good one, my dear.” Hattie leaned back in the chair Vivien had vacated. “It’s been a long time since this house hosted a party. You’re welcome to change that.”

Twisting her lips, Snow looked to be considering the idea. Then she gave him a look that said this birthday was going to be a good one.

“Thank you, Miss Hattie, but this year, I think we’ll keep it a quiet night for two.”

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