Abby,
It’s been wonderful to spend so much time with you these past couple of weeks. I realized this morning that this is the longest we’ve ever been alone together since you were born. Imagine that! I think we did pretty well, even if I did get on your nerves here and there.
No matter where you go or what you’re doing, I’ll be thinking of you and, likely, worrying. That’s part of the job of mothering, and I’m afraid I can’t change that. I hope someday you’ll be able to accept that about me. I’m sure things will be a lot smoother if you can.
Don’t forget to use the casseroles and lasagnas before they get freezer burn (they’ll be best if you eat them in the next month or so). Thaw in fridge overnight. Bake at 375° F for an hour and serve with some salad so you’ll get your greens. (Sorry, couldn’t help that one.)
Please don’t give up on love. If not Liam, then find someone else. I know Isaac wanted you to, and it’s one of the few things he and I agreed on. You’re young and talented and beautiful, and you deserve to have it all.
Love you forever,
Mom
Chapter Thirty-Three
Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.
~ Maya Angelou
Gusts of wind have brought with them dark clouds. I sit at my desk listening as the rain starts to fall, first slowly, then with a determined roar. But nothing could ruin my good mood because I’m here in my cozy, bright office, and I’ve just received an email from Lauren titled ‘Good News. Calling You in Five.’ I get up and make myself some tea, then use a chopstick to scratch as deep as I can inside my cast. I glance at Walt, who is sitting on the floor watching me with great interest. “Ahhh, that’s the stuff.”
I answer the phone on the first ring, using the speakerphone so I can dunk the teabag in the water. “How good is the news?”
Lauren laughs. “How does mid-five figures sound, with an option on the next three in the series if you go ahead with more?”
“Yes!” I do a fist pump with my left arm. “That sounds amazing.”
“Erica loved it. She said it’s your most passionate work yet, and that nothing of this caliber has passed her desk in months.”
I grin down at Walt. “Really? That’s amazing, Lauren. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, you’re the one who wrote it,” she says. “How are you going to celebrate?”
“I’m going to buy a bottle of champagne and a carrot cake, and eat the entire thing, one slice at a time.”
“You sure you might not want to share with Ian? I mean Liam?”
“Very funny.”
“I thought so,” she answers. “Speaking of Liam, have you womaned up yet and told him you’re passionately in love with him?”
“No,” I say, lifting the teabag out and letting it drip into the mug. “I haven’t had a minute alone with him, but he’ll be here soon.”
“Really? Should I let you go so you can ladyscape?”
“No, obviously not. Nothing’s going to happen today, even if he does confess his undying devotion to me,” I say, picking up my phone and my tea and making my way to my office. “I’ll have this ultra-sexy cast for another month. Plus, my face is still reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad,” Lauren says. “Besides, if it’s true love, he won’t care.”
“Still, I think I should wait until the bruises are gone and the scar isn’t this angry red anymore.”
“Abby, you got that scar saving his daughter’s life. Surely, that won’t be lost on him.”
“It wouldn’t be.” I sit and watch the rain slide down the window. “He’s not shallow.”
“Which is why you love him.”
My entire body hums with anticipation. “Just talking about this makes my heart feel like it’s going to jump out of my body and beat its way out the door.”
