Page 86 of Close to My Heart

“You cared about the things that mattered. You were the bright light around here, and I’m sorry I went about it the way I did. You wouldn’t have dated Wes if I’d come out and told you to.”

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t have.”

Grandma looked around the place. “I thought this was the only way.”

My forehead wrinkled. “What if I’d married one of those yahoos?”

She rubbed her hands together. “I knew Wes wouldn’t let that happen.”

I frowned. “Because he was concerned about my safety. He’s protective.”

“I was counting on him reacting the way he did.” Then she sighed. “I should talk to him. Make my apologies.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary—” Wes wouldn’t want anything to do with my family. We were rotten to the core.

“I’ll invite him to breakfast again. He’s a nice view for that early in the morning.”

My shoulders lowered. “I think he’s upset with me.”

Grandma leaned forward. “What did you think was going to happen when you moved back to your old home when you’re still married?”

“But we weren’t married for real?—”

Grandmother pointed at me. “That might be your problem. You keep saying it wasn’t real, but it sure looked like it was. Maybe you both had feelings to back it up?”

Had Wes liked me this entire time? Was he committed to our relationship? Was it real for him? “I know how I feel, but we never talked to each other.”

Grandma nodded. “You should start there. Tell him how you feel.”

“What if he doesn’t feel the same way?” I wiped my sweaty hands on my jeans.

“Then you’ll know. It’s better than whatever this is.” She waved a hand around the room. “What are the boxes for?”

My jaw tightened. “I’m moving into an apartment.”

“Why would you do something like that?” Her voice raised.

“The estate’s going to be sold. I need to create a new life.”

“I wouldn’t do any of that before you talk to that young man of yours. I think he might have something to say about that.”

“I don’t know?—”

“For such a smart girl, you don’t see yourself clearly.” Grandma gave me a stern look.

Was that true? Had I been blind to what was happening in front of me for years? Had Wes liked me the same way I was interested in him? How could I be so obtuse?

“Wes didn’t look like a man who was faking anything.”

My cheeks heated. Our wedding night had felt real, and everything else that followed had too. I had to keep telling myself it wasn’t, so I didn’t fall deeper with him. Not that it stopped me from falling head over heels in love with my best friend. We didn’t stand a chance. And it was all Grandmother’s plan. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“After Evelyn revealed your marriage was a fraud, she came to me, saying she deserved a larger piece of the estate because you’d manipulated me and lied about your wedding to inherit.”

After everything I’d been through with my family, I shouldn’t have been surprised my own mother would do something to hurt me and help her. Now that I’d had time to think about everything, I was grateful the truth had come out. But I didn’t like that it was my mother who did it. “I’m resigned to losing everything at this point. It’s up to you what you want to do with your home.”

Grandma carefully considered me before she said, “I’m giving you the estate. I love your plans for it. I’m going to look into naming it a historical site so it can never be demolished.”

“That would be amazing. I already started doing some research on that. I can show you what I have.” I hadn’t continued with it because I needed the consent of the owner, and I never thought Grandma would approve.

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