Page 126 of Blindly Yours

“I have no plans to leave AWP…”

“No, but is he going to want to move to the city?” She peers carefully at me. “Are you going to move out to the country?”

“I’m not sure…” I swallow hard. “I like it out there. It’s quiet.”

“If you marry someone outside of our circle—”

“We’re not talking about marriage yet, Mom.”

“Ifyou marry him,” she repeats. “You won’t have the same access to the world you’ve known all your life. I know women have equal rights and all that.” She waves her hand. “But men still hold the power. No one will know his name. You won’t be invited to any of the par—”

“I don’t care about the parties,” I interrupt firmly, but when she sets her jaw, I let out an apologetic exhale. “Look, I know you love this world, and I can appreciate it too, but I don’t live and breathe it like you do.”

She rubs her hand across her forehead and gazes across the water. “So, am I to expect my daughter will be too busy raising chickens and baking sourdough to join me for shrimp bisque in the city?”

“You know nothing will ever keep me away from that bisque, Mom.” I grin. “And not from you, either.”

She tilts her head toward me. “And what about my grandchildren? Where will they fit in? Will you send them to Ivy League like we’ve always talked about, or will they just learn a trade?”

I take a long, careful breath. “Again, you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Truly, though,” she pushes. “Have you thought about this, Rose?”

“They’ll pursue whatever they’re passionate about.” I shrug. “Just like I was lucky enough to do. I love my job, and I’m so glad you gave me the tools I needed to get there. My children will have the same opportunities, no matter who their father is.”

“As long as he values those opportunities too.” She lets out a small sigh. It’s not a disappointed one, but I can tell she still doesn’t understand, and maybe she never will. “Raising children to become successful humans—and kind ones—is not easy.”

I drop my eyes and swallow hard. It’s time to reveal the last little bit of truth. “Mom, there’s something else.” I lift my gaze to hers again and take a deep breath. “Nate has a daughter…from his marriage.”

Her eyes widen. “How…how old is she?”

“Seven,” I reply. “And she’ssosweet. She’s incredibly talented. She’s a great artist, she’s on the soccer team…she’s so smart. And he’s amazing with her.”

“Well then.” She presses her lips together and grips her mug tightly. “Does she live with him full-time?”

I nod. “I know, it’s just another thing to add to your list of reasons to hate that I’m dating him—”

“No,” she interrupts sternly. “I don’thatethat you’re dating him, Rose. I just fear his values may conflict with yours…in the long run. But…if he’s taking care of a child on his own, then he probably has a pretty good head on his shoulders.”

“He does.” I smile.

She takes my hand in hers and tilts her head. “Well, now I have to ask…if the two of you go the distance, how willyoufeel—honestly—about stepping so suddenly into motherhood?”

“Well,” I laugh slightly. “We’re not getting married tomorrow, so I have time to figure that out, don’t I? It wouldn’t be so sudden.”

She nods. “Fair. You’re right.”

I lay my other hand on top of hers. “Just…let me give this a chance. I love him…a lot, mom. It’s never felt this right with anyone else.”

A smile touches her lips, and then she pulls me in, enveloping me in her arms. “I just want you to be happy. I’m sorry I assumed I knew what that meant for you.”

I kiss her cheek and lean back to look into her eyes. “I love you, mom.”

She rests her hand on the side of my face and grins. “I love you too."

***

Later that evening, Nate drives us both back to his place for dinner. He tells me all about skeet shooting with the rest of the guys. Apparently, he and George blew everyone else’s scores out of the water. He talks about George like a good friend now, and it warms my heart.

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