Iris
When Dad fired me a couple of days ago, he also said that before I went anywhere, he wanted me to train up Marnie to do everything I do. She’s more than capable, and a good choice as she gets older and less able to do the more physical sides of her current job.
But it will take a while. Especially when we’ve got the frozen side of the business to get off the ground. Dad also said I’d always have a job at Wilde’s Farm, if that’s what I choose. I’ve told him I’m not going to be making any quick decisions. The breakup with Jack has left me tired and emotional, and I don’t want to make any rash choices that I’m going to regret later. I also need to figure out what to do with my life.
With the space to think about it, it’s clear that my college course isn’t exactly what I want to do. An online course was always going to be a compromise. I think I was just wanting something more and anything would do. But if I could actually do something in person, that would be better. But I don’t know if that’s what I ultimately want to do. There’s so much to think about at the moment.
I step out of my office for some fresh air. The first of the deliveries will be loaded onto the trucks about to arrive. A pang of loss fills my chest. When Jack was here, it was so nice to see him on Wilde’s Farm, getting his beautifully manicured fingernails dirty, laughing with the other farm workers, the sun shining on his already bronzed skin.
He seemed happy here.
And now he’s back in New York. Even though it’s where I met him, and I know it’s where he grew up, it’s so difficult to picture him there.
He seemed so at home in Star Falls. With me.
The sound of the first truck of the day’s tires on the dirt entryway pulls me out of my thoughts. But when I look up, it’s not a truck. It’s a shiny black limo.
That’s weird. We don’t have anything thatisn’ta truck coming to the farm.
It parks in front of the barn, just a few feet away from me. The windows are blacked out, so I can’t see anything. The driver steps out, but I don’t recognize him. There’re a few people milling around but the driver ignores me.
“Can I help you?” I ask. He heads to the back door of the limo and opens it.
I peer into the car, and it takes my brain a few seconds to realize that the person in the back, getting out of the car, is Jack’s mother.
“Mrs. Alden?” I say.
“Iris,” she says, offering me a little smile. “Is Jack here?”
My heart starts to pound. Why would she think he was here? Has something happened? My brain whirs through the possibilities of what might have happened to Jack to bring Mrs. Alden to my door.
I shake my head. “I haven’t seen him since he went back after your husband’s stroke.” It’s been nearly a month since Jack hasbeen here. I’m not sure why she would come looking for him here.
“Can we go somewhere and talk privately?” she asks.
She must see the confusion on my face, but she doesn’t offer me any explanation.
“Of course. Why don’t you come up to the house?” I suggest. I can’t imagine what she’s going to say to me. My entire body tenses. I want to demand she tell me what’s going on immediately, but I know it won’t do any good. I have to be patient. Follow her timeline.
She nods very slightly and we walk silently up the path that joins the house to the rest of the farm.
Once we’re inside, I offer her a beverage but she refuses everything.
“May I sit?” she asks, tilting her chin at the dining table.
“Of course.” I just want her to tell me what’s going on.
We both take seats at the table. I’ve never been very good at small talk—especially with a woman like Mrs. Alden. She’s completely intimidating. I hope she cuts to the chase.
“I want to tell you how I came to marry Mr. Alden,” she says. “Maybe your judgement of me will be less harsh when you hear my story.”
“My judgement of you? I never…”
What’s she talking about?
“If you would listen to me for just a few minutes, I would be very grateful.”
She’s firm, and I’m not going to mess with her. I give her a half shrug and she continues.
