Page 74 of Rebuilding Friendship Inn

“Robin,” her mother said as she came out of the kitchen at the back of the house. She carried a dishtowel and wiped her hands with it. “What are you doing here?”

Robin tried to smile, but the gesture felt shaky on her lips. “Uh, just came to see how your garden was doing.”

In September, her mother started to harvest cucumbers, lettuce, and green beans. She’d been eating peas all summer, and her peaches should be ready soon too.

Her mother’s face lit up, and Robin wasn’t sure if she was being genuine or not. She couldn’t really sit around and garden all day long, could she?

She works at Dr. Benson’s office, she told herself.Part time.

Robin’s father had passed away fifteen years ago, and her mother hadn’t remarried. She’d dated a little bit a year or so ago, but when that relationship hadn’t worked out, she hadn’t gotten another boyfriend.

She’d been working at the dentist’s office for years as well, starting after her husband’s death, but she’d never wanted for much.

Robin’s dad had been a surgeon at the hospital here in the cove, and Robin hadn’t known they had money growing up, but her mother had started demonstrating as much after Dad’s death.

Her mother wore her scrubs already, and Robin was actually glad. This conversation wouldn’t be able to go on and on if Mom had to get to work.

“What’s up?” her mom asked as she turned. She hung the towel on the handle of the oven door and faced Robin again.

She wore a placid expression, and Robin couldn’t believe that she would do anything to upset Robin.

Of course, she’d done plenty of things that had hurt Robin over the years. Either intentional or not, Robin wasn’t sure. She’d like to think her mother wouldn’t deliberately cause her pain or grief, but she had demonstrated some selfish behavior in the past.

“I have to leave for work in a few minutes,” her mother said. “I can’t sit and chat this morning.” She gave Robin a smile as she said it, but her meaning was clear.

Get to the point.

Robin took a deep breath. “Mom, are you doing something with the Tanners?”

Her mother blinked. “Doing something?” Her voice was somewhat even, pitching up the way anyone would when they asked a question. “They rent my house from me.”

“Alice said she saw you with them at The Glass Dolphin.” Robin pressed her hands together and inhaled. “I mean something more than them renting the house.”

She’d made Duke and Robin pay rent for years too, and Robin hadn’t minded. She didn’t want her mother to be able to hold anything too heavy over her head.

“I’m sure Alice was wrong,” her mother said coolly.

Robin knew in that moment that she wasn’t. “Mom, tell me the truth.”

“I am.”

“I know you’re not.” Robin folded her arms. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Mom.” Robin practically barked the word.

“Robin, I don’t owe you any explanations.” She pulled her scrub shirt down and gave Robin a fierce look. “I’m late for work, and I don’t have anything to tell you about the Tanners.”

She picked up her purse, shouldered it, and started for her garage exit. A sense of helplessness filled Robin, but she should’ve known better than to talk to her mother. She could be particularly stubborn, and Robin watched her open the door.

“Why can’t you tell me?” Robin asked.

“I don’t tell you anything about my finances,” her mom said.

“Your finances?” Her mind raced. She knew precious little about her mother’s finances, that was true. Why would she be doing anything…financialwith the Tanners?

“Robin.”

---