Page 109 of Someone to Hold
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MOLLY
Later that night,while the kids are upstairs rearranging the bedroom they’re once again sharing now that Linda is back, I sit at the kitchen table with my mother-in-law, who surprised us by returning several days earlier than scheduled. Did she call to let me know about her change in plans? Of course not. Instead, the kids and I got home to find her unpacking in the bedroom.
Luckily, I had most of the house cleaned, which is how I’ve been dealing with my mood and missing Chase.
While Linda told the kids about her trip, I quickly changed the sheets, packed up the clothes I had in her room—plus anything else that belonged to me—and moved it into Laurel’s bedroom. I waited until they went downstairs to move the locked box from the nightstand. The last thing I need is to have to explain the box to my mother-in-law. Talk about mortified.
She didn’t seem too interested in hearing about what’s been going on here, but the kids regaled her with stories of Fancy, Gumdrop, and Princess anyway. I don’t think I misinterpreted the look of surprise on Linda’s face when she realized how close my kids have become to their late father’s friend.
“Was it necessary for Chase to park his Airstream on theproperty? The kids take the bus to and from school, and I know you set up grocery deliveries, so there couldn’t have been that much for him to do.”
“He was helping us,” I remind her. “You arranged for him to be here.”
“Not full-time,” she counters. “You were supposed to be winding down your flower operation during my trip. From everything I saw in the fields and the greenhouse, you’re ramping things up.”
“Ididramp it up,” I tell her, not bothering to hide the pride in my voice. “In fact, I hosted a wedding reception here.”
“Excuse me?” Linda looks stunned. “Why in the world?—?”
“I wanted to make enough money for a down payment on the farm by the end of the summer.”
“Part of the agreement was if Chase helped you, I’d sell him the farm.”
I exhale a slow breath. “I know that now, but I didn’t at first. Even after I found out, I thought that if I could make it work, you’d sell the property to me rather than Chase or some stranger.”
“Why would I do that when you and the kids are moving to Albuquerque?”
“We’re not, Linda,” I say quietly.
Her eyes narrow and her nostrils flare. “You promised…” she begins.
I shake my head. “I didn’t promise anything. You told me how it would be, and I went along even though it wasn’t best for us. That’s on me. I’m sorry I didn’t speak up sooner.”
“After everything I did for you?—”
“Skylark is my home.” I sit up straighter and hold her gaze, no longer willing to be the mouse people expect. “It’s where my kids feel at home.”
After all this time and worry over how to talk to my mother-in-law about this decision, the nerves I once felt are completely gone.Because I know I’m doing the right thing. It’s as if the hold she had over me has faded away these past few weeks.
“Chase has offered to subdivide the property so we can stay,” I inform her. In case he didn’t mention it to her. I want all the cards on the table now. “And I’m going to take him up on it.” If he’s still willing after how I reacted.
“What if I don’t sell it to him? The closing isn’t until next week.” She shakes her head, clearly frustrated by my change of heart. “There’s a developer willing to pay enough that I could recoup my losses from breaking the deal with Chase.”
“I heard about the East Coast developer,” I tell her, hoping I’m right that she’s bluffing. “But you made a promise, and Chase lived up to his end of the bargain.”
“But if I did, you won’t have a reason to stay.”
“This town is my home,” I repeat. “That’s the only reason I need. It’s not about Chase or the land. Of course I want it. I’ve invested in it, and the kids love it here. And I’d like to have your blessing. But no matter what happens, we’re staying.”
She drums her fingernails on the table as she studies me, then reaches across the table.
For a moment, I think she might actually slap me, which tells you how well I can read my mother-in-law. Because instead, she pats my hand. Not exactly a gentle touch, but it’s a big gesture for Linda.
“It’s about time,” she says, looking both resigned and a little relieved.
I blink. “Time for what?”
