Page 80 of A Very Merry Mistake

I take a moment to put my thoughts together so I don’t misspeak. “I’m not sure how to say this, but I never want her to step on my property again. It was awkward, and I didn’t like how it made me feel.”

Mama’s smile quickly fades. “She brought me pictures of you two and announced you were getting back together, that the past was water under the bridge. Then she mentioned she was headin’ over to your house to chat with you. Since you were very clear about you and Claire not being together, I believed her. I realize now that’s not the case.”

“No, it’s not. Mama, she’s delusional—and extremely jealous now that she’s seen me in public with Claire. She’s not used to that. But there isn’t a future where she and I are together again. And there won’t ever be. I can never give her a chance again after what she did, and I thought I’d made that clear in the past.”

“Sweetie, I’m so sorry. She said a lot of things about time passing and missing you, how she saw you in town and stopped by to see how we were doing. I apologize for that and know that must’ve been hard.”

I shake my head. “It’s not your fault. I just want it to be known that there isn’t anything left between us. I don’t have feelings for her, and I won’t spend the time to repair what was lost when we broke up. There was a time when I wished to have her back, but I’d rather be alone than with someone like her.”

She nods, listening. “I should’ve known better and understood she was using us to get to you. At the very least, I should’ve called or texted you and asked.”

“It’s fine. Claire got rid of her.” I smirk, thinking back to what happened yesterday and how she offered her a tip for delivering the food while forcing her out. It was boss moves.

Mom smiles wide. “I like her a lot.”

“I do, too,” I breathe out.

“Why did you say it that way?”

I move my gaze to the floor, reliving last night and the words we exchanged. “Because she’s leaving.”

“And?”

I make a face. “It means she won’t be in Merryville anymore.”

“And?” she repeats.

“Long distance won’t work. She travels too much. We won’t be able to pursue one another and find out if there is room for a relationship.”

Mama immediately shakes her head. “Honey, that’s just not how love works. When you fall for someone, no amount of space between you matters. Sure, you both could say you don’t want to date because of distance or whatever is the case, but love always finds a way. It will work itself out if you two are meant to be together. Have faith.”

“But what—”

“Faith, Jake, means you stop trying to control every aspect and just let what will happen happen.”

I open my mouth again, and she holds up her finger. “Eh. That’s the end of the conversation.”

Mama picks up her knitting needles. “Now, if little Miss Lacy comes over here again and lies to my face in my home, I’m gonna chat with her mama after church. I don’t appreciate her tryin’ to manipulate my or your father’s kindness in such a manner. I might talk with her mother anyway, depending on my mood when I see her.”

“I wasn’t tryin’ to start any trouble. I just don’t want it to happen again,” I explain.

“I understand. And I don’t, either. She disrespected me and you. I don’t appreciate that. I can forgive, but I won’t forget.”

Knowing this conversation is almost over, I stand and stretch.

Mama stands, too. “There is something I wanted to show you that I received today in the mail.”

I follow her to the kitchen, where a certified letter is on the table. “Open it,” she tells me.

I slide the paper out of the thick envelope and read the first few lines.

NOTICE OF TAX SALE

“Mama,” I whisper, quickly reading the rest. “They’re auctioning the property?”

She sucks in air. “I felt like this was coming after the last notification I received. I’d hoped a miracle would happen and this season would be financially successful so we could catch up.”

“I knew Mawmaw owed a lot, but this is more than I thought. Where are we going to get that much money?” I look down at the number again. “Even with the agriculture credits, it’s still outrageous.”

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