Page 8 of More Than Words
“Just Mom.”She shrugged.“Said she’d try to call this weekend.Meetings, blah blah, deadlines, blah blah.”
I nodded and worked to keep my tone neutral.“At least she’s trying.”
Quinn didn’t say anything.I didn’t press the issue.I’d learned that lesson the hard way.Polly had let her down more times than I could count, and although I’d never said a bad word about her mother in front of her, Quinn was smart.She didn’t need me to say what she’d already figured out.She knew who showed up for her and who didn’t.
And it broke my heart.
I gathered up my messy burger and attempted to change the subject.“Hey, if you want to, you’re welcome to come by the brewery this weekend and help me paint.”My daughter gave me a withering look over her burger, making me laugh.“Okay, fine.You don’t have to.But don’t forget about family dinner at Uncle Brody’s this Sunday.”
“No way will I forget about the opportunity to have real food.”
“Are you saying my cooking doesn’t count?”I pretended to look offended.
“It’s kinda hard to say that when you haven’t cooked in weeks, Dad.”
“Fair.”I nodded toward the book sitting next to her before I took a bite of my burger.“Is it good?”
She nodded.“It’s awesome.Kinda dark but in a really cool way.”
“Delaney recommended it?”
“Yeah.”Quinn looked up.“She picked it out just for me.She knew I’d like it.”
I smiled to myself, letting that bit of information settle.I hated to admit it, but I had no clue what kind of books my daughter would like to read.
I focused on my burger again and took another bite, trying not to picture the bookstore owner next door with her calm voice and quiet strength choosing a book just for my kid, but the image snuck in anyway, taking up space in my brain without permission.
Oh yeah, Sunday dinner with my family couldn’t come soon enough.I needed a minute to breathe and clear my head.
ChapterThree
Delaney
Sunday mornings were sacred.The shop didn’t open until noon, which meant I had a few blissful hours of quiet without stocking inventory, answering calls, or greeting customers.Not that I minded any of that.Quite the opposite.But still, it was nice to have a break.
Plus, I needed the opportunity to go over my financials without interruption.
As an extra treat, the incessant buzz of power saws also seemed to have ceased for the time being.It was just me, a cup of the tea blend Lauren had given me, and my spreadsheet.
Okay, that part wasn’t so relaxing, especially given the tight constraints I had with my budget.There wasn’t much wiggle room, especially not with the renovation going on next door.But I’d make it work.There really wasn’t much of a choice.
It wasn’t the first time I’d built something from nothing.But I did hope it would be the last.
Back in Ontario, in what felt like a different life, I had my own shop.A cozy, thriving little gift shop, Nook & Nest.Hand-poured candles, locally created art, those little adorable felt animals that no one needed but were too cute to pass up.It had taken me years to build the shop into a thriving business, and Ken had wiped it all out in months.
My ex-husband had been charming in a way that made people lean in and want to be near him.He had a way of speaking so people not only listened to everything he had to say, but they believed whatever came out of his mouth.
He was the kind of guy who could sweet-talk a vendor into giving us more credit.Credit we didn’t need.And I didn’t know about.
It was my shop, but I’d been naive enough to include him on the bank accounts.After all, he was my husband.I had no reason to believe he would do anything to put the shop—or us—in jeopardy.
By the time I realized he’d beenborrowingmoney from the business, and we were deeply and irreversibly in debt, it was way too late.
Even as the depth of his deception came to light, he still tried to charm his way out of the situation and convince me it would all be okay.He’d been so smooth, so confident that I started to second-guess things and question my own decision.But the truth was, Ken had been so completely reckless with our livelihood that it had taken only months to destroy everything.In a flash, I lost it all.
My business, my savings, my marriage, and my peace.
So no, I didn’t trust a handsome smile and a charming word.Not anymore.
