Page 97 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“We were just leaving.”

“Please. It’ll just take a minute.”

He pressed his lips together.

“I’ll take Emma to the car,” Laurel said. “Thank you for having me, Lisa.”

“You’re welcome.” Mom ran her hand through the child’s curls. “Bye, honey. I’ll see you soon.”

For a moment Gavin watched Laurel walk away, then he turned back to his mom. “Go ahead, Ma. Have your say.”

“Honey... I just think you’re rushing into something you’re going to regret. I know Emma needs a home, and you must feel so burdened for the child. But trying to raise a child with your ex-wife—is that a good idea?”

“People do it all the time.”

“But so much has happened between the two of you. Have you forgotten what a mess you were when she kicked you out of your home? When she filed for divorce? Because I haven’t. I haven’t forgotten one bit.” Mom’s eyes glazed over, and she blinked back tears.

His heart softened. “Maybe it’s time you do, Mom. I wasn’t the best husband, you know. I worked obscene hours and she was lonely. Then I was responsible for our son’s death.”

She started to speak.

He held his hand up. “And somehow she doesn’t hate me for that. I have an opportunity here to do the right thing by Emma—and yes, by Laurel too. We both want to honor our friends, and that means making sure Emma is loved and safe. Mallory’s mom will provide neither of those things. I love that kid, Ma, and I really need you to get behind this, ’cause it’s going to happen.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. She dashed it away. “Oh, honey. You know I’ll always support you.”

“I need you to forgive Laurel. I need you to accept her. She’ll be coming around from time to time, and Emma doesn’t need to be picking up on your resentment. Think you can do that?”

She sniffled. Shuffled her feet. “Yes, I can do that. For you, I can do it. I’m sorry. I know Laurel’s been through a lot too. Someone hurts one of my kids, and I just turn all Mama Bear on them. I’ll do better.”

He turned his lips up. Then he pulled his mom into an embrace and held her for a long moment. “There’s the mom I know and love.” He kissed her on the cheek, gave her one last smile, and left.

Chapter35

Gavin darted through the Asheville rush-hour traffic as he sped toward home. His work was finished in time for Christmas weekend, but he still had one more errand to run before Laurel, Jesse, and he could head toward Riverbend Gap and their families.

He’d had his nose down for the past five months on this project—his biggest to date. His boss was impressed with his work, and Gavin anticipated another promotion soon.

Minutes later he turned into the upscale neighborhood and slowed when he reached their long driveway. A feeling of pride washed over him as he gazed at the contemporary Craftsman home he’d contracted himself. He and Laurel designed it together, from the clean, flat rooflines and large, sleek windows, all the way to the rich, warm colors of the cedar siding and stonework. And they’d nailed it.

He parked his work truck, leaving room to get his Denali from the garage and back it up to the trailer in the drive. But first he needed to run inside and let Laurel know what was going on. He braced himself for her reaction.

She’d been distant lately. All these hours he worked hadn’t helped. But once winter came things would slow down, and he could spend more time at home with her and Jesse. It occurred that he’d had the same thought each year of their marriage. But somehow when winter rolled around, it was just as hard to find time for family as it had been through the spring and summer.

He was determined to provide well for them. To make something of himself. Be a better example than he’d had in his deadbeat, alcoholic father. If he could just get this promotion he could relax a little. Enjoy the fruit of his labors.

Besides, Laurel didn’t really complain about his work hours. She was busy working at the Biltmore now and was good at balancing work and home. But Jesse was already three, and Gavin had missed too much of his childhood. He’d do better after he earned that promotion. He’d make the most of these early years before they were gone altogether.

He entered the house through the garage door and found Laurel in the kitchen, putting a delicious-looking pie into a container, Jesse at her side. “Hi, guys. Smells great in here.”

“Oh, good, you’re on time.”

“Daddy!” Jesse ran to him, his dimple showing. He wore his favorite tee—the one featuring excavation vehicles. He knew them all by name.

Gavin swept his son into his arms. “Hey, buddy. You ready to go to Nana and Poppy’s house?”

“I played with Sarah today.”

“You did? Was she nice?”

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