Page 74 of Close to My Heart

When we pulled into the driveway, Wes asked, “Do you miss living here?”

“You know, not as much as I thought I would. I like coming here to work and separating my home life from it. My mom can’t walk in whenever she wants. I can take personal time. Here, it felt like family life bled into everything.” It was easier to think, which meant I had too much time for that. I was running through all the possible scenarios about how this marriage could end, and most of them weren’t great.

I couldn’t believe that Wes would want to continue with the marriage, not when we went into it with the idea of it being temporary. He was a man of his word. If he agreed to a temporary situation, he wouldn’t just change his mind because I caught some feelings. He was probably able to compartmentalize our fake marriage from the rest of his life.

We pulled up in front of the house, and Wes handed his keys to a valet, while another opened my door, and I stepped out.

We met at the steps and walked up with my hand in the crook of his arm.

Mom greeted us at the front door with a look of distaste. “You arrived in a truck.”

It was Wes’s Department of Natural Resources truck, not a farm one, but they were all the same to Mom. “Wes wanted to bring it.”

Her nose wrinkled. “I sent a driver for you.”

“I don’t think we’ll be needing those going forward. We can drive ourselves.”

Wes placed his arm around me and pulled me into his body. “We appreciate the thought, Mrs. Rosesmith.”

If he was waiting for her to tell him to call her Evelyn, it wasn’t going to happen. He’d never be good enough for her, which was ridiculous because her money wasn’t hers to begin with. It was our family’s.

For the first time, I felt pride in what I’d built online and the money I made that was separate from the estate.

Evelyn turned down her nose at me. “Your grandmother is waiting for you inside.”

I wasn’t sure what to buy Grandma for her birthday. I usually went with a bouquet of flowers or a day at the salon, but this year I wanted to do something different.

We stepped inside, checking our coats with the butler, then moved into the room with the windows that showcased the gardens.

Grandmother was surrounded by a crowd of people, and a table overflowing with gifts stood nearby. What did people buy the woman who had everything or the ability to buy whatever she wanted?

When the crowd shifted, I kissed her cheek, and said, “Happy birthday.”

“I’m glad you could make it.”

She always said that as if I’d ever missed an important event like her birthday. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

I eased back, Wes to hand her the bouquet of flowers that he’d insisted on bringing. It was a lovely mix of peonies.

“My favorite.” She held them for a few seconds, then handed them to an attendant to put in water.

“My gift is outside, and it won’t be ready until it warms up a bit more.”

“Tell me what it is, dear. I love a present that doesn’t come in a box.”

I smiled because she loved those too. There was nothing Grandmother loved more than nights like this where she was the center of attention. “I thought we’d add onto the gardens so that you have one that is yours. I talked to a local landscaper and mentioned all your favorite flowers. He wants to incorporate those with plants that do well in this climate.”

A slow smile spread over her face. “Will there be lots of peonies?”

“Of course.”

“That sounds perfect. I’ll be able to sit and drink my morning tea while I admire them.”

“I’m glad you like it. I wanted to do something special for you this year. Something that will stand the test of time.” I had plans to film the progress for social media too. My fans had proven that they were more interested in my day-to-day life than I originally thought.

“I love it.” Grandmother looked from me to Wes. “How is marriage life treating you?”

My face flushed. “It’s been great.”

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