Page 57 of Kiss From A Rose

"I had security, but I didn't have love growing up."Not like my children had, not like I had…all because of Rose.

"She was happy with you. I mean, all couples have shit that happens. My husband used to beat me. Unfortunately, Rose wasn't there to bash his head in. But the police did it for me, so that wasn't too bad. But…." Malou closed her eyes and stopped speaking.

She was exhausted, and I gathered that she dozed off mid-sentence.

I was about to get up when I heard her, "But once the kids left home—they turned into douchebags who treated their mama like she was stupid, and you checked out."

I didn't have much to say to that except, “Yes, ma'am.” Everything she was saying to me was true, and I had no defense beyond what I'd already given her.

"It started earlier on but became more intense after the kids left. She was happy, for the most part, with you. I want her to be happy again. But the kids are gone, Gray, so you have to step up."

"I will. I am…steppin' up, I mean. I left my company in the hands of someone else. I'm here for at least six months," and then, because I knew it to be true, I added, "longer, if that's what it takes."

Malou nodded with her eyes closed. "I've left her the B&B."

I should've guessed. Malou had no other family.

"She won't take money from you, and this is all I have. I want her to be financially secure."

Tears filled my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. I had millions, and my wife was being financially supported by her friend who she grew up in the trailer park with. If being rich meant the size of your heart, Malou here was the wealthiest person I knew.

"But you make sure she doesn't lose her family," she continued, her voice dropping. "Okay?"

"I promise, Malou." I leaned and brushed my lips against her forehead.

She smiled and then fell asleep. I sat by her bedside, watching her, and thinking about what she’d told me about herself and my wife. After a half hour of keeping vigil, I dimmed the lights and left my wife's indomitable friend to rest.

CHAPTER 21

Rose

"Hey, Mama."

I saw Jude come into the kitchen in running gear. He liked to go for a run in the mornings like Gray did. I had woken up early; actually, I hadn't slept well. I went for a swim and decided to start my day.

"Morning, baby. You hungry?"

He shook his head and sat down at the breakfast nook. "I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee and some orange juice, though."

I loved taking care of my family, and it was a dream come true that I could do it in Angel's Rest's kitchen.

I set a cup of coffee with a little milk like he liked in front of him, along with a glass of freshly pressed orange juice.

I went back to getting the proofed dough into pans, so we'd have fresh bread for breakfast. Nothing beat the smell of freshly baked dough. I loved to have that cozy scent permeate our home in Atlanta and now here.

"Mama, do you have time to talk?" Jude asked politely.

"Anytime, son." I smiled and gave him a sheepish look. "Just give me five minutes to get these in the oven, and then I’m all yours."

My heart beat faster. I was nervous about what he was going to say. Would he tell me I'd been a terrible mother? My biggest fear was being accused of that or being a bad wife. And ultimately, if he did say that, he wouldn't be wrong. In the end, I ran away from home without ever talking to anyone about my struggles. But I didn't know how to. After a lifetime of suppressing every feeling and desire deep within me, I found myself struggling to express myself. My inability to show my true feelings was evident, especially in how flustered I became around Gray. Instead of maintaining my usual patience and calm, I found myself reacting with anger, unable to articulate my thoughts coherently.

I got a cup of black coffee and sat across from Jude.

As soon as I set my coffee on the table, my son took my hands in both of his, surprising me. "Mama, I'm so sorry."

I blinked back tears. "Why, baby? You have nothing to be—"

"Yes, I do," he cut in. "You're a remarkable woman. Look at how you run this B&B; how you made sure we had everything we could ever want at home. Our friends loved coming over because you took care of them. I" —he stopped talking, and my heart hurt for the tears that filled his eyes— "have been a jerk to you. Always…always making you feel small by bringing up how you never went to university. And—"

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