Page 65 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

“Just a little.”

I still worked at the café for the last couple of weeks, but on a part-time basis. I haven’t had time to go to the sanctuary due to my mom’s accident. May understands, but it hasn’t been easy.

I miss my animals and riding Clover. And I hate letting May down.

I sigh, thinking about it. If only I could be in two places at once. Mom grunts, and I look at her a moment later.

“Something the matter?”

“You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. There’s somewhere else you’d rather be, isn’t there?”

“Well, yeah, the sanctuary.”

“Oh, that place,” Mom replies, her disdain obvious.

“Mom, I get you don’t like it, but—”

“Sara, I know you love that place. I accepted that you wouldn’t be a scientist or a doctor a while ago. I just don’t see the appeal.”

Here we go again. I love Mom, but she’s always getting on me.

“Because it makes me happy, and I love doing it. I get you had these high hopes for me ever since I was a kid, but I’m just . . . I’m never going to be what you want me to be.”

That’s the truth, and Mom’s going to have to accept it. We’ve had this back and forth for over a decade now. Mom nods and looks away.

“I know. Sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed that,” she says with true regret lacing her words.

“It’s okay,” I reply, smiling. “You mean well.”

“I do. And I guess it’s remnants of your father sometimes.”

The room falls silent, and Mom looks toward the doorway.

“Want to go out back? It’s been a while since you’ve come out this way.”

“Sure!”

We walk toward the back door, and as I open it, a large garden greets us. Rose bushes sit at the end of the patio, and various vines and shrubs decorate the backyard. Wow!

Mom’s always been passionate about gardening. Probably one of the few things that we both agree on. We walk out toward the two chairs that overlook the entrance, where a fountain spouts. The statue within contains two angels fluttering around.

“This looks absolutely beautiful, Mom.”

‘Thanks, dear. It’s always a fun experience coming out here and taking care of the garden, it gives me something to do after retirement,” Mom replies, laughing. I nod, understanding her situation.

Mom had me at almost forty, and she retired early. After Dad passed away due to cancer, she’s kept to herself.

We get along, but Mom’s always been independent. That, and my career decision, never sat well with her. Mom sighs, looking out.

“I am proud of you, Sara. You’ve kept at it. I know that I get on you, but I can see how much this means to you.”

“I know, Mom. Thanks for telling me that. It means a lot, a real lot to me to hear you tell me I make you proud.”

“And I do,” Mom replies, her eyes bright and joyful.

We don’t say much as we look outside. Mom looks at me and cocks her head.

“There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there?”

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