Page 41 of The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

Remy’s jaw dropped. “Phillip is making you sell the house?”

Hadn’t Gordon told her?

“Yes, he wants me to buy him out or sell.” Meredith looked away from Remy.

“How could he do that to you?” Remy flung her hand out. “He wants you to just leave the house you raised your family in?”

Meredith sat on the bed, wondering if Jacob had slept in here, though she doubted it. The room had a woman’s touch and looked as though no one had stepped into it in years.

Then she wondered where Jacob had died.

Was his soul still hanging around? Watching over them? Was her mother’s? What did Meredith even believe anymore?

She didn’t believe in trust or marriage or family. She could only trust death. Everyone dies.

“Have you thought that maybe you’re not supposed to keep the house?” Remy asked.

“Don’t start with the wholeset your intentions and make a vision boardthing.” Meredith got that from her sister when she’d first gotten divorced. “They don’t work. I’m still not married to Denzel Washington.”

“I’m serious, Mer.” Remy circled the room and stopped at the dresser, looking at a black-and-white photograph. “Why are you holding onto that big house?” She picked up the framed picture. “This could be like your grandmother or something.”

Meredith looked at the picture. “It probably is.”

Remy looked at the photo, then went back to Meredith. “She has your eyes.”

Meredith got up and looked at the photograph. Then before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “I think Mom was having an affair with this man.”

“You mean Jacob?” Remy asked.

“Yes.” Meredith didn’t know how else to say it.

Remy put the photograph down. “I think she never stopped loving Jacob, but I know she didn’t have an affair.”

“How do you know?” Meredith asked.

“Because Mom loved Dad. She wasn’t having an affair with Jacob.”

Meredith noticed Remy make a face as if Meredith was being ridiculous. “What do you mean she didn’t? She’s got paintings all over this house. He’s got pictures and portraits of her. And not just when she was younger. Stuff well after meeting Gordon and getting married. She posed for a statue.”

“Look, I know this is all a lot,” Remy said.

“You’re right this is all a lot.” At least they could agree on one thing.

“But Mom was still Mom,” Remy said. “She loved Dad, and she may have also loved Jacob, but she died with Dad by her side.”

Jacqueline had held Gordon’s hand at the very end, not a slight ounce of fear on her face.

“She loved Dad.” Remy put her hand on Meredith’s shoulder. “And Dad loves you. And he’ll still love you if you have this other father you want to learn more about. He wants the only thing any parent wants.”

For his children to be happy, Meredith answered in her head. She knew the answer because she wanted her own children to be happy. The same reason she didn’t want to hold Ryan back because of her own insecurities and loneliness.

“This could be your chance to start something just for you,” Remy said, sitting next to Meredith. “That you can share with the kids.”

Meredith looked around the room. Could this be a fresh start? Could this be her time to figure things out?

Then something caught Remy’s eye, and she walked to the window. She pointed at something outside. “Ah, Mer?”

Meredith looked over. “What is it?”

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