Page 69 of His One True Wish

“Oh, that’s really great,” I said, startled by her thoughtfulness. I should have thought of that. “Thanks, Abby.”

“You are welcome,” she said, “and I am sure that once we get the repair done, we’ll be able to schedule the open houses. Good news is that everyone is under snow, so no inventory is moving.”

“And you think our house will appeal to a family, maybe someone with kids who wants to go to our school … ”

“Yes,” Abby said. “Absolutely. I am telling you, families are clamoring for houses just like your Mom’s.”

“And you don’t think a builder would be interested?”

“A builder? Hold on, your mother is talking,” Abby said. “Yes, I would love a ham sandwich. I’m sorry, what did you ask me?”

“Never mind,” I said, sighing. I wasn’t going to do this, be an asshole while this woman took care of my mother. I was the one who drove off in the night, fueled by some weird insecurity or anger at Abby for stealing my high school boyfriend. “Thanks for helping, Abby,” I said.

“You are welcome,” she said. “I’ll give the phone back to your mom.”

“Hi, honey,” Mom said. “Isn’t she great?”

“Yes,” I said. “Okay, I should go. I think Mason is feeding us chiliand cornbread, and then Axl and I will head back to the cabin. He has a dog. She shouldn’t be alone.”

“Oh, a dog? Did he do a security deposit for that?”

“I don’t know, Mom. I don’t think we need to worry about that today.”

“I suppose not.” Mom sighed. “Well, your Gran always was full of surprises.”

“Should I tell Mason you say hello?” I asked.

Mom sighed. “Fine. Yes. Tell him I say hello and thank him for feeding you. You can do that much.”

“Okay,” I said. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

I hung up the phone and spun on the stool to see Mason standing in front of the counter.

“Moira must have been relieved?” he said, his eyes searching mine.

“She was,” I said, cocking my head to the side. “She also seems like she’s mad at you?” I saidmadsoftly.

“Oh, hell,” Mason said. “I know she’s mad.”

“Were you two?” I wiggled my head back and forth.

“Your mom and I have always been friends,” Mason said, his smile crooked. “And sometimes more.”

“Okay,” I said, standing. “That’s all I need to know about that.”

Mason laughed.

“I’m glad to know it, Mason,” I said. “I always liked how happy she was here in Smoke River, and the truth is, I always figured you had something going on.”

“We did.”

“Do you want to tell me what you fought about?”

“No,” he said.

“Okay.” I nodded. “Ifyou want to talk, you know where to find me.” I smiled and looked across the room for Axl. He wasn’t in his booth.

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