Page 29 of Dare to Need

“Can I be honest with you, Mrs. Walker?”

She gave my hands a squeeze. “Of course you can, darling.”

“I’m not sure if Mr. Walker told you yet, but Garth told me yesterday that he decided to take over his father’s company.”

Understanding flashed in Mrs. Walker’s eyes. “Yes, George did tell me that.”

I pulled my hands from hers and sat against the back of the wooden chair. “I know that was a point of contention between them for a long time. And it’s none of my business really, but I can’t stand by and watch Garth go through what I went through without saying something. Especially since I know he would stand up for me. So, I’m just going to say it.”

I took in a deep breath. “I don’t think it’s fair that Garth has to sacrifice everything he’s worked so hard for to take over the company. His work just got accepted to be displayed at Studio 628. His lifelong dream is finally coming true and I hate that the guilt is eating at him so much that he’s willing to give all of that up to make things right.” The crack in my voice made my chest ache because it was all true. Garth didn’t deserve to have his dreams stripped bare on top of everything else he was dealing with.

My heart thumped in my chest as I watched Mrs. Walker stare at me with a look I couldn’t quite place. I shifted nervously in my seat as the seconds ticked by. Maybe I’d pushed her too far. Maybe it really wasn’t my place and I should have kept my mouth shut about everything. God, I hoped this wasn’t going to make things worse for Garth.

The fatigued look she had walked in with seemed to fade away as the planes of Mrs. Walker’s face sharpened. The same tick that plagued Garth’s jaw when he was mulling over something appeared along her jaw line.

Then, she finally spoke. “I can tell that what you just told me was very difficult for you. So I’m going to give you some advice, from one woman to another.”

Fuck.

“First, if you are going to make such a bold statement, especially as a woman, make sure that it is said with such conviction that no one can take it away from you. Second, there is no debating the love you have for my son. So don’t ever feel like you have to hide what you’re truly thinking from me. Ialwayswant to know what your opinion is. Garth chose you to be by his side and that means you are a part of this family, Eva. And in this family, we always speak our minds. I expect you to do the same.” Her eyes narrowed on me slightly. Not with judgment, but with challenge.

My own eyes widened slightly in shock from her response.

“So, thank you for letting me know that you’re worried about Garth.” Her gaze flicked toward the window, then back to me. “I’ve been worried about him as well. What happened to my husband has opened my own eyes to the mistakes I’ve made in the past—putting pressure on both my boys to take over their father’s company. It was difficult for me to understand Garth’s art and how he could be successful in it. The first several years, when he was away at Parsons, were the most difficult. It didn’t matter how many checks I sent him, he was so hellbent on making it on his own.”

She let out a harsh laugh. “All that time, I thought he was just being spiteful and rebellious. Now I know better. He loved what he did with every fiber in his body and he wanted to show his father and I that he could do it. Much to our dismay, he did. He turned his art into a lucrative business that has made him incredibly successful and capable of standing on his own two feet.”

When she took a sip of her coffee, I said, “I’m worried that when he officially takes over the business, he won’t have any time to create.” I leaned forward. “And if he doesn’t create, he will become the shell of the man we once knew. Living his days only to combat the guilt and shame he feels. And that’s not a life worth living, Mrs. Walker.”

“You’re right.”

“What?” My mouth dropped open.

“You’re absolutely right. Garth deserves to do what makes him happy and I think we all know that taking over his father’s business would crush him.”

My brows scrunched together as I shook my head back and forth. “I don’t understand. He told me he already signed the papers to take it over.”

Mrs. Walker arched a brow, a slight smile tugging at the right corner of her lips. “I was not the only one who was enlightened from George’s heart attack, Eva. My husband has realized that he also made mistakes while raising Garth and Garrett. Though I know it was all with good intention and love, he had a much harder time coming to terms with the fact that neither one of our boys were meant to take over his company. But I can assure you that his vantage point has shifted and he sees more clearly now what needs to be done. It’s not my place to share it just yet, but just trust that George and I have Garth’s best interest at heart and we will not let him risk losing out on his dream.”

I blinked at her. Stunned and confused as to what that truly meant. I wanted to believe that Mr. Walker would do the right thing by Garth, but I still feared that his idea of right was different from what Garth truly needed.

Mrs. Walker was right, though. I had to trust that, as a family, they would sort through everything together and it would all work out for the best. The thought of leaving it all up to them didn’t help my anxiety though. The fear of losing Garth to all this was still poignant.

“Okay, I trust you.” I gave her the biggest smile I could manage, which wasn’t saying much given the nerves I felt were tensing every muscle in my body. “And thank you for meeting with me to talk about all of this. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course, Eva. I’m so glad that Garth finally found you and he can experience the kind of love I’d always hoped for him to have.” I knew her words were sincere—I could see it in her eyes. I just hoped that the rest of what we’d discussed was also true.

Nodding my head, I grinned at her. Trying to keep the whirlwind of thoughts that raced through my mind from our conversation at bay, I grabbed my coffee and took a long swig.

“Wasn’t there something else you wanted to talk with me about? In your text, you mentioned a legal question.” She tilted her head. “Is everything alright?”

In all my efforts to talk with her about my worries of Garth, I’d completely forgotten about the subpoena. It was the last thing I wanted to discuss with my boyfriend’s mother, but she was the only person I knew, other than Garth, who would be able to provide me with accurate information.

“Yes, thank you for reminding me.” I swallowed hard. “I, um…Well, I guess there’s no other way to ask other than to just come out with it. Two days ago, a woman approached me when I was in the lobby of our hotel. She said I was summoned and handed me a Manila envelope that had a subpoena for me to appear as a witness.”

I wrung my hands so hard they hurt. “Apparently, Connor and that professor didn’t work out and now he is suing her. I’m not sure if it was his idea or his parents’, but they want me to be a witness in the case and I have no idea what to do. Can they really force me to do this?”

Mrs. Walker heaved a breath as she leaned back in her chair. “It seems the past is seeking vengeance on all of us right now. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this, Eva. But the short answer to your question is yes. If you have been summoned as a witness in a case, you will most likely have to appear in court. Though, I’m not quite sure why Connor would want to call upon you as a witness given everything he put you through. But then again, people often do things that make little sense.”

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