“Some of it. Your inheritance is safe, though, and I'm grateful for that.” She nodded. “But that's why he forged my name so often. I was the one who had to sign for loans or to release funds, because I inherited it all.”
“It was yours all along?” Noah lowered into the chair across from her, allowing the news to sink in. He wasn't completely ruined. His inheritance was safe.
She nodded again. “I wish I'd been sounder of mind when your father died. If I'd paid better attention, none of this would have happened.” She sighed. “Or at least we might have caught it sooner.”
“You can't blame yourself, Mother. You had not only lost your husband but your daughter as well.” He took her hand in his, emotions lodging in his throat. “I thought for a few months there, I was going to lose you too.”
She'd become so ill, at one point Dr. Palmer suggested that George and Noah prepare themselves for the inevitable.
Her expression gentled as she squeezed his hand. “I'm sorry I left so much of the burden on you during those months, Noah. You were grieving too.”
“I didn't mind being strong for you. I only wish I'd recognized how much of a mess George was making of things before now.”
“How could you have known? The worst of his behaviors only started when he began courting Beatrice, but at that point, I believe he realized what a financial disaster he'd created and became desperate.”
“So do you have any idea of the outcome? The cost?” Noah released her hand and sat up, preparing for the blow of the truth. “Will we lose everything but the house?”
“Not … everything.” The hesitation in her voice didn't bode well. “Since all the property and funds are in my name, I am responsible financially, at this point, so the solicitor and I have worked out a possible plan, assuming you agree.” She drew in a breath and steadied her attention on him. “I will sell the mill and its connected acreage plus George's house. We may be forced to sell more land, but if what the solicitor and bankers said is true, the first two should provide enough to cover debts and pay back what George overcharged. It's possible we can salvage this situation with our dignity intact and some money to live on as we sort out our next steps. But we can't keep the mill.”
Noah had expected as much, but the declaration still hit like a blow to his chest. He'd worked so hard to manage the mill in a way to make his parents proud and had endeavored to support the workers and community, only to have it end like this?
“I hate being forced into the choice, Mother.” Noah squeezed her hand, accepting the good and right decision over the desired one. “But this way, people will keep their jobs, and we can do what is right by those George has wronged.”
“Exactly.” Her expression softened. “And, perhaps, clear our names while we start afresh without any debt hanging over us.”
“And you can keepyourbeloved house.” He gave her hand another squeeze.
Her eyes grew glossy, and she gripped his fingers. “I do love this house.” The faintest smile returned to her face, one brow winging high as if to nudge him along. “And it's quite large enough for a ready-made family.”
Noah drew in a breath and released his mother's hand. “About that.”
“Noah, please don't bring any other heartache today.”
“It isn't heartache so much as being unexpected … and difficult for some people to accept.” He paused and then leaned forward again. “Kizzie's pregnant.”
“What?” Mother covered her mouth with her hand, eyes widening. “You … you …”
“The baby is from Charlie's father. She didn't know she carried another child until yesterday when she started recognizing certain symptoms.”
“But that would mean she's at least four months along.”
“Five,” Noah corrected. “And she's refusing to marry me because she doesn't want to wound our already-vulnerable reputation.”
“You asked her to marry you?” Mother's eyes widened.
“I know we've not known each other as long as some, but I care about her, Mother. Deeply.”
“And you're unfazed by her news?” Air burst from his mother's lips.
“Unfazed may be too simple a term.” He'd mulled over the news on his drive to the house, accepting her choices as part of the unredeemed and naive woman she'd left behind. Not the new woman he'd grown to love. “I'm grieved for her because of the shame she is constantly battling, but it doesn't change how I feel about her or Charlie.”
“Of course it wouldn't matter to you, would it? Your heart is so good and big, you would love them all.” His mother's smile brimmed, and a tear spilled over her cheek. And then she chuckled, and her chuckle grew into a laugh. Despite the tears running down her face, she laughed still.
“Mother?”
“Poor Kizzie, worried about our reputation when your brother has soundly trounced every part of our name in ways I would have never imagined.” She wiped at her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair, sobering. “Wouldn't it be nice if this story of your life and mine and Kizzie's earned a happy ending after all this heartache?”
“You truly don't mind? About Kizzie?”
