“Good plan.” She grinned as she sank onto the chair beside him. “So… you’re really considering staying here? Like for a long time? Permanently even?”
“You know what, sis? I am.”
“Well, that’s pretty perfect as far as I’m concerned.” She leaned over and glanced at his computer screen. “You writing another thriller?”
“I am. This one is set at the beach. At a small resort. With bright, colorful cottages. In an enchanting small town.”
“Good choice.” She laughed. “Just don’t kill off the resort owner.”
“I make no promises,” he teased.
“Anyway, you should probably stay here and do more research. About life at an adorable beach resort and all.” She stood up and gave his shoulder a playful shove before she left the room.
Research. That was just another thing he could add to his list of reasons to stay in Moonbeam. Not that he needed much convincing.
Chapter 27
Evelyn went over to Sunrise Village to see her mother and surprise her with a framed copy of the photo she’d taken at their last Parker women brunch. She hoped her mother would like it.
Her mother answered when she knocked. “Evelyn, it’s good to see you.”
Much better than the greetings she used to get that usually involved a frown and a why-are-you-here.
“Hi, Mother. I brought you something.” She held out the gift.
“Come in. A present?”
She stepped inside and her mother carefully unwrapped the present, looked at it for a long moment, then held it to her chest. “The picture from our brunch. Thank you, Evelyn. This is so thoughtful.” Her mother walked across the room and set it prominently on a shelf. The only family photo in sight.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“How are things coming along for Heather’s wedding?”
“Really good. Just putting the finishing touches on the details.”
“That’s good.”
“You’re bringing Ted, aren’t you?”
A smile crept across her mother’s face that made her look years younger. “I am.”
“You’ve been seeing a lot of him.”
“I have. He’s… a nice man. He treats me well. He’s not… critical all the time.”
“You mean like Father was?”
“Yes, your father was a hard man to live with.” Her mother turned to glance over at the photo before continuing. “And sometimes I feel responsible for your choice in marrying Darren. Darren was just like your father. You saw your father treat me like that. Controlling. Critical. You didn’t think anything when Darren treated you the same. But I think we’ve both come to realize that we don’t have to live like that.”
She stared at her mother, surprise sweeping through her. This had to be the most honest thoughts her mother had ever shared with her. “It’s kind of freeing to be out from under that control, isn’t it?”
“It is,” her mother agreed. “I know I was a bit… judgmental when Darren said he was divorcing you. I insisted you try to fix things. But you know? You shouldn’t have to live with a man like Darren. No one should.”
“Well, Lacey is. Hope she’s enjoying that.” She grinned in spite of herself.
Her mother actually cracked a grin, too. “She deserves what she deserves.”
As long as her mother was being frank… “So, I’ve asked Rob Bentley to be my date to Heather’s wedding.”
