Page 109 of Already Home

“Rain check.”

“Absolutely.” She watched Tiffany approach the customer, thenturned back to him. “How did you know I was back? I’m a couple of daysearly.”

“Your mom called and told me.”

Jenna shook her head. “Why would my mom...” Okay, now she gotit. Her good mood faded, and she was left feeling oddly unsettled. As much asshe’d enjoyed her trip to Napa, as much as Serenity had become a friend, she wastired of being pushed into an emotional place that wasn’t comfortable.

“Serenity isn’t my mother. Beth Stevens is my mother. She’s theone who raised me and took care of me. Serenity gave me up for adoption when Iwas born. For thirty-two years she’s been waiting for me to magically show upand when that didn’t happen, she received some mystic message to tell her it wastime to get in touch with me. I’m happy she did. I resisted at first, but now Ican see she’s a wonderful person and I’m glad to have her in my life. But thatdoesn’t make her my mother.”

Ellington stared at her for several seconds. “Feel better?” heasked.

“About what?” Annoyance sharpened her words.

“Getting that out. Obviously something happened while you werein California.”

“Everything was fine. My trip was great,” she said shortly.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

He didn’t seem upset by her irritation, and that pissed her offmore. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t care what Serenity toldyou. Just don’t even talk to her.”

His voice gentled. “She’s my patient, Jenna. I will talk to herwhenever either of us feels it’s necessary.”

“Fine. Do that. But I’m just saying, you don’t know about myprivate life.”

“Why are you angry?”

“I’m not,” she snapped, then sighed. “I’m sorry. There’s a lotgoing on.”

“She mentioned Violet was hurt.”

“She wasn’t hurt. She didn’t fall or get in a car accident. Herboyfriend, the man she trusted, hit her. He beat her up. Even though he wasarrested, he’s going to be out soon. And then what? How does she stay safe? Howdoes she know it’s okay?”

“I don’t have an answer.”

“Right. Sure. Because men only like to create the problems. Ifthey’re not hitting women, they’re cheating on them, then saying it’s thewoman’s fault.”

“Is that what Aaron did to you?”

“What? We’re not talking about Aaron.”

“I think we are.”

He was right, and she couldn’t say why. Everything was greatwith Ellington. Why was she acting this crazy? He hadn’t done anythingwrong.

She glanced around to make sure no customers were listening,then stepped into the back room. Ellington followed.

“Jenna, you’re dealing with a lot right now. I can see that. Iunderstand it.”

“Aren’t you generous?” she snapped when she knew she should begrateful.

“Why are you fighting with me?”

The one question she didn’t have an answer to. “I don’tknow.”

“Is it about your mo— Is it about Serenity?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe. I’m confused. I want her in my life, butevery time I get comfortable with where we are, she pushes me past where I wantto go. I’m worried about my mom.” She caught herself. “The person you would callBeth. I don’t want her hurt. Violet got hurt by someone she should have beenable to trust.”

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