Page 65 of Pumpkin Patch Pack
That’s when I see a sleek black Lexus with dark tinted windows pulling into the lot. My heart stutters in my chest as the driver’s door opens.
But it’s not Marcus who emerges.
It’s my mother.
She looks better than the last time I saw her—her hair freshly colored, her clothes expensive and new. She’s accompanied by a man I don’t recognize, tall and thin with the desperate smile of someone trying too hard to be charming. He helps her out of the car with exaggerated gallantry, his hand lingering possessively at her waist.
“Another conquest,” I mutter, watching as she inspects the farm with disdain.
Maple presses against my leg, sensing my distress. I scratch behind her ears, grateful for her steady presence. “It’s okay,girl. Just my mother. Not exactly a welcome surprise, but not dangerous.”
Liam just stepped into the barn. He is close enough that he would hear me if I shout, but I don’t want to subject him to my mother unnecessarily.
She spots me almost immediately; her face lighting up with an expression I recognize all too well—the look she gets when she thinks she’s about to get something she wants.
“Emma!” she calls, waving like we’re at a society luncheon rather than a working farm. “Darling, there you are!”
I don’t move to meet her. Instead, I watch as she picks her way carefully across the gravel path in ridiculous heels, her companion trailing behind her like an obedient dog.
“Mother,” I say when she reaches me, my voice cooler than the autumn air. “This is unexpected.”
“Is that any way to greet your mother?” she asks, leaning in for air kisses near my cheeks. She smells of expensive perfume and, surprisingly, not alcohol. “I’ve been so worried about you, disappearing like that.”
“I didn’t disappear,” I correct her. “I left. There’s a difference.”
Her smile tightens at the edges. “Well, regardless, I’m here now. And I have wonderful news!” She gestures to the Lexus. “Marcus bought me a car! Isn’t it gorgeous? And this is Marty. He’s in pharmaceuticals.”
Marty extends a hand, which I ignore. Sensing my discomfort, Maple positions herself between us, her small horns lowering.
“What is that creature?” my mother asks, stepping back.
“Her name is Maple. She’s with me.” I glance around, looking for any of my mates, suddenly wanting their solid presence beside me. “Why are you here, Mother? How did you find me?”
“Marcus told me, of course. He’s been so concerned about you, darling. We both have.” She lowers her voice to what she probably thinks is a discreet volume. “This place is charming,I suppose, but surely you can’t be happy here? All this…” she waves a dismissive hand at the farm, “…dirt.”
“I’m very happy here,” I say firmly. “Now, excuse me, I have work to do.”
I turn to leave, but her hand catches my arm. “Emma, wait. I need to talk to you. Privately.” She glances meaningfully at Marty, who takes the hint and wanders toward a nearby cider stand.
Once he’s out of earshot, her expression changes, becoming serious. “I’ve been to rehab, Emma. I’m clean. Sixty days sober.”
I study her face, noticing the clarity in her eyes and the steadiness in her hands, which has been absent for as long as I can remember.
“That’s… good,” I say cautiously. “I’m glad.”
“Marcus paid for it,” she continues. “The best facility in the country. He’s been so generous and understanding. He wants to help us, Emma. Both of us.”
And there it is—the real reason for her visit.
“I’m not going back to him,” I say, my voice hardening. “Not now, not ever.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffs. “You’re twenty-nine, Emma, you’re almost past your prime.”
“I’m thirty-one, Mom.”
Her eyes widen as she clutches her fake pearls. “Even worse. You can’t afford to be difficult. Marcus is a good man. Successful, handsome, from an excellent family. Do you know how rare that is? To find an alpha of that caliber in this day and age?”
“He tried to force a bond on me,” I remind her, bile rising in my throat at the memory. “He wanted to parade me around during my heat for his business associates.”
