“I just need a couple of nightstands and lamps.”
“Well, maybe you’d like to come over to browse around in my grandparents’ attic,” he said as they returned to the living room. “Unless it’s a family heirloom, I’m happy to part with most anything up there.”
“Cool.” She pointed to the couch. “Have a seat if you want.”
“I don’t know.” He sighed as he sat down. He still hadn’t done what he’d come here for, but the gallery had been so busy. And Willow hadn’t even cast a glance his way. Not that he could blame her.
“Are you sad, Mr. Emerson?”
He pursed his lips. “No. Just preoccupied, I suppose.”
“You were disappointed in me and Collin, weren’t you?”
He considered this. “Well, to be honest, it was a bit disturbing.”
“I honestly don’t know why we fight so much. I think Collin just plain hates me.”
“I don’t know about that.” George wondered how much to say. “But it almost looks like sibling rivalry to me.”
“We arenotsiblings.”
“Not actually. But Willow is like a mother to both of you.”
“Maybe ... but don’t you think Collin should show me more respect? After all, I am his mother.”
“Do you always show your mother respect?”
Her smile looked sheepish.
“And to be fair to Collin, he’s not really known you as his mother. It’s a lot to expect him to treat you like that now.”
“I know. And I don’t even want him to. I just wish he didn’t always pick fights with me.”
“Fights are usually a two-way street.”
“So you’re saying I’m partly to blame?”
“What do you think?” He looked evenly at her.
“You were an English teacher, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, you talk more like a shrink.”
George smiled with amusement.
“But I suppose you could be right.”
They both sat quietly for a bit. The only sound was the strains of music drifting up through the floorboards. Finally George spoke. “Josie, what are your plans? For your future? What do you intend to do with your life?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Well, it seems to me that Willow is giving you a great opportunity to take full ownership over your life. You could get some kind of training or go to college or—”
“I do not want to go to college,” she declared hotly.
“Why not?”
