Page 96 of I'll Carry You

“After Dad died, Mom took to painting a lot. I never really knew what these were, but look.” He pushed a stack of ten canvases into her hands.

Mildred's grip was shaky. She motioned toward the coffee table with her nose. “Hand me my reading glasses, will you?”

Jason fetched them for her and she unfolded them. Putting them on, she stared at the painting on top.Main Street, Brandywood.

Mildred put it beside her, then gazed at the next one. The backyard of Mildred’s house—at least as it had probably looked thirty years earlier. In total silence, Mildred sorted through the ones he’d handed her. One by one, images of the world Martha had left behind came into view.

Mildred had been right—his mother was a talented artist. And her renditions of these places had been crafted with care and diligence. These were not places that appeared dark or unloved.

Jason took Mildred’s hands. “It occurs to me you’ve spent the last fifteen years thinking that your daughter hated the world she left behind.” The wrinkled fingers curled against his. “I don’t think that’s true, though. She was depressed, and her mental health suffered, but I think she thought about you a lot. Missed you. So she kept coming back home—in these paintings.” Jason motioned toward the crates. “Mi—Gran. They’re all of Brandywood. Every single one.”

Mildred still didn’t respond, but her eyes looked watery.

Had it been a mistake to do this?Jason felt the knot of worry tugging at his gut. “I don’t know if I ever really apologized for turning you away when you came to her funeral, but I’m sorry. You deserved to be there. Deserved to say goodbye. And I didn’t realize just how true that was until recently. I’m sorry I was such an ass for so long.”

Mildred chuckled. “I suppose you get that on all sides, no? Maybe even from me.” She reached out and touched his jaw gently. “But don’t tell me you came all this way just to make an old woman cry on Christmas?”

He shook his head and gave her a smile. “I came to be with my family on Christmas.” Then he moved the paintings and sat beside her again. “And maybe stay for a little while after that.”

She slipped her arm into his and leaned against his bicep. “What about Cavanaugh Metals?”

“Chances are Cavanaugh Metals won’t exist within a few weeks.” Jason didn’t want to think of the conversation he still needed to have with Bob Klein. But if anyone could figure out his next steps, a consultant for the FBI financial crimes department could.

Mildred gave him a wary look. “So if Colby is inheriting and the business goes under—won’t you be in the poorhouse before long?”

Jason threw back his head and laughed. “Maybe so. You have a room I can rent? By now, I’m pretty sure I’m persona non grata around here.”

Mildred puffed up her chest and sat straighter. “Do I have a room? You could have stayed with me for free this whole time if you had just asked, you know.”

“After you shot at me? I think I’d have been sleeping with one eye open.” Jason exchanged a laughing glance with her. He put his arm around her shoulders. “By the way, you’re going to be a great-grandma. Again.”

Mildred whooped with laughter. “Jason?”

He gave her a sheepish glance. “Yes?”

“You need to learn how to keep it in your pants, sonny.”

Jason pacedthrough Mildred’s living room. When he’d sent a text message to Bob Klein on Christmas Eve asking to speak to him, he hadn’t expected Bob to respond on Christmas. Now he was on his way over here.

Did he think Jason was trying to intrude on the holiday? Cause a scene?

Probably.

Mildred was in the kitchen, making a last-minute Christmas dinner for the two of them. She’d sent Jason to the grocery store with a list, and he’d even found the small ham she’d asked for. Finding an open store meant going a few towns over to the nearest big-chain grocery store open on Christmas, though. Everything in Brandywood was closed.

The soft thud of a car door closing made Jason lift his chin.That was fast.Bob strolled up the front walk, wearing a Christmas sweater. Jason smirked. That didn’t surprise him in the least. He went down the steps and opened the door as Bob approached.

Bob greeted him with a curt nod. “Merry Christmas.” He held out his hand to shake Jason’s.

Jason returned the handshake, inviting him in. “I appreciate you coming over. I honestly didn’t expect you to respond so quickly. This could have waited another day.”

“Eh. I’m in Betty’s way, and the kids all went to some of their family’s houses for lunch.” Bob went up the stairs with a familiarity that made it clear he’d spent time at Mildred’s house before. She was like family to them, after all. He popped his head into the kitchen at the top of the stairs. “Merry Christmas, Millie. Smells good in here. Sure we can’t tempt you to come by for dinner?”

Mildred came over toward the doorway, wooden spoon in hand. “Not a chance.” She gave Bob a kiss on the cheek. “Can’t you see I got myself a handsome beau for the evening?” Her exaggerated wink toward Jason beamed with pride.

Bob chuckled, then followed Jason to the living room. He sat in an armchair across from the sofa. “Can I get you something to drink?” Jason offered.

Bob scrunched his nose. “No. Thank you, though.” He clasped his hands together, then leaned forward. “What can I do for you? I must admit, it surprised me to hear you were back in town.” His wary glance made it clear he was worried about Jen.

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