Page 26 of The Unforgiven
“Except her biological father and brother. Sounds to me like they’re getting on like a house on fire. Give her a chance to get to know her kin. Don’t make this about yourself.”
Am I making this about myself?Gabe had wondered as he headed home that night. Emma was already in bed, tucked in by Pete’s wife, Brenda, who’d volunteered to babysit so the boys could have a night out. Gabe had missed his friend. He’d been busy with his growing family and Pete hadn’t been around much of late due to his own family issues. Everything had finally resolved itself, but the tensions of the past few months lingered. Pete and Brenda’s relationship with their son, who’d been accused of sexually assaulting a girl but had finally been cleared of all charges, was still strained. They’d questioned Michael and didn’t immediately accept his version of events, and their lack of faith had cleaved an almost unbreachable chasm in their family. They had a long way to go until they could reclaim the easy and loving relationship they’d had with Michael, but hopefully, in time, he would see that his parents had had no choice but to question his story and try to get to the truth. Pete and Brenda would have still supported Michael, no matter what, but he was too young and vulnerable to see that.
“Pete’s waiting in the car. Thank you for minding Emma.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure. How I wish we’d had a girl. She’s so lovely. Anyway, give my best to Quinn. When is she back?”
“Soon, I hope.”
Gabe had seen Brenda out and settled on the sofa, remote control in hand, but couldn’t focus on any program. He looked at his watch. His dad would probably be in bed by now, but Phoebe liked to stay up and read by the fireplace in the library with Buster at her feet until she felt tired enough to retire. Gabe didn’t want to ring the house phone for fear of waking his father but gavePhoebe’s mobile a try. She usually kept it in her handbag, but hopefully, she’d hear it.
Phoebe had answered on the second ring. “Hello, son.”
“Hi, Mum. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
Phoebe chuckled. “Of course not. Your father is snoring away, but I’m hooked on this new series of novels. It’s rather titillating.”
“Mum, I don’t want to know,” Gabe replied. The last time his mother had told him about a book she was reading, he’d actually felt himself blush, which had made his mother giggle like a schoolgirl. His mum had a penchant for racy novels and had recently learned the meaning of S&M. Until then, she’d thought it was just someone referring to Marks & Spencer in the wrong order.
“What’s on your mind, Gabe?”
“How do you know I didn’t simply call to see how you are?”
“Because I am your mother and I know all the cadences of your voice. You sound in need of advice.”
“Guilty as charged,” Gabe had admitted, smiling. No one in this world knew him like his mum, not even Quinn.
“Out with it then.”
“Mum, Pete has accused me of carrying on like some medieval overlord who wants to lock his lady in a tower to keep her from getting away from him. Am I out of line?”
Gabe could almost hear his mother settling more comfortably in her chair, ready for a meaningful talk.
“Darling, the woman you love, and who is carrying your child, is going through something very emotional and existentially defining. You are worried about her and feel helpless becauseyou’re not there to support her. Now, does that sound like the reasoning of a medieval overlord?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“You are a sensitive man, and given all the emotional upheaval of the past few months, you’re feeling protective of Quinn. That’s nothing to feel ashamed of. Sometimes I wish your father would have been more protective and supportive of me. You know what he said when I went into labor with you?”
“Can’t wait to find out.”
“He said, ‘Get on with it, old girl. I’ll be at the pub.’”
“Did he really?” Gabe had asked, laughing. Knowing his dad, he wouldn’t have expected him to say anything else, but it was still shocking to hear.
“He did, but things were different in my day. We all had our roles. Your generation is more in tune with each other’s needs and feelings, and that’s a wonderful thing. Quinn is an intelligent, independent woman, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t appreciate your support. Just because she doesn’t need it doesn’t mean she doesn’t long for it.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t have let her go on her own?”
“I’m saying she wouldn’t be too upset if you showed up in New Orleans and shared this experience with her. Meet her father and brother, get to know them. I’m sure she’s feeling a bit out of her element there. Bring her some digestive biscuits.”
Gabe burst out laughing. “Thanks, Mum. I don’t think Quinn is in need of biscuits, but you’re right about her feeling out of her element. Would you be able to take Emma for a few days if I manage to clear my schedule at work?”
“Of course. We’d love to have her. In fact, there are some wedding plans she can assist me with. I need the perspective of a young person.”
“Mum, she’s four. What does she know about weddings?”
“She knows what she likes, that one. And she has a keen eye.”
