Page 58 of Left in the Dark

“It’s beautiful. Rustic and cozy.” She moves around the room, taking it in before turning to me. “I’m so damn proud of you. You’re strong and independent.”

A twinge goes through my chest. For the most part, I agree with her assessment. But there’s a part of me I don’t show to anyone. The lonely woman who fell in love with a boy at fifteen but didn’t realize it until she was eighteen. Even though he broke her heart, she could never find anyone to measure up to him. Zayne Morine has a piece of my heart that no one can claim.

A piece? Try the whole damn thing.

I push the nagging thought away and beam at her. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Give me a tour.” She inhales deeply. “What is that decadent smell?”

“Pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. It’s been in the crock pot all day, awaiting your arrival.”

“Delaney. You remembered my favorite meal.”

I swallow hard, tears pricking my lids. “Of course.” Before I start crying, I move into the kitchen. “Come on. I’ll give you a tour before dinner to the porch.”

As my mom follows me up the stairs to the second floor of my cabin, she whispers, “This is the best day I’ve had in years.”

I turn to her as I reach the landing. “Don’t jump the gun. We haven’t discussed the past and what prompted you to leave after all these years.”

The smile dies off her face. She bites her lip, a troubled expression on her face. “I’m living in the moment right now, Laney. The hard parts are ahead, but I’m clinging to every bit of happiness I can.”

I’m an asshole.

Regret courses through me, knotting my stomach. Memories of the past abuse she suffered churn through my head. She encouraged me to leave and never look back. I need to focus on that instead of how she failed me.

“You’re right, Mom. Life is too short. You have to cling to every moment of happiness that comes your way.”

She reaches up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ve grown into such a beautiful, mature, strong woman. I’m so sorry I missed it.”

I heave out a long sigh. “It’s not like I gave you a choice. I disappeared without a word.”

A knowing look gleams in her green irises. “I knew what you were planning to do. You may not think I know you, but I know you better than you think. Besides, I encouraged you to leave.”

I start down the hallway, showing her the guest room first. “You knew?”

“I played dumb because I didn’t want your father to suspect anything. Why do you think I had so much cash in my purse?”

A smile curls my lips as I shake my head. “I never suspected a thing.”

“You wouldn’t. I’d perfected the art of acting over the years.” We continue, and I point out the bathroom and then take her to my bedroom.

“This is a dream, Delaney. I love it.” She steps inside, slowly turning as she takes in the huge windows on either side of my bed, the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with a wide-screen TV hanging above the mantel, and the two built-in bookcases beside it.

“Check out the view from the balcony.” I open the double doors, and we step outside. A hot tub is built into the far end, a roof covering it. The forest stretches around us, the late afternoon sun accentuating the colors of the changing leaves.

“Jesus. This is paradise.” She stands beside me, inhaling the crisp air.

“I saved up every penny I could to buy this place. Callie lives three miles away with her husband, Mark.”

“Mark the concession stand guy?”

I laugh. “Yup. That Mark. He came to Cape May to visit us during the July Fourth holiday after we left Green Haven. They tried a long-distance relationship, but it didn’t work. Callie also teaches at Mountain View Elementary School. Guess who accepted a teaching position there five years ago? They were married a year later.”

“That’s a beautiful story.” Her hand covers mine. “Life can sometimes get in the way and separate people for a time. But if they’re meant to be together, they always find their way to one another.”

I shiver, staring at her with a myriad of emotions running through me. From the look in her eyes, I have a sneaking suspicion she’s referring to Zayne and me.

Never gonna happen.

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