* * *
What had he done to deserve this? He’d been a dutiful son, a loyal brother, a faithful husband, and a loving uncle. But he wasn’t getting married again. No way. No how.
Not even for his mother.
Will leaned against the counter in his parents’ kitchen, feeling as though he was nothing more than a puppet. As Dad gave Kelsey a tour of the upstairs, Mom sat across from Will with a white envelope on her lap and a strange smile on her face. Maybe this was all a big joke to her. Then again…
“What’s this all about, Mom?”
“I hope your father doesn’t take Kelsey into the exercise room. It’s a mess from my physical therapy.”
“Kelsey won’t mind.”
Mom’s eyes gleamed with interest. “She’s very attractive.”
Will wasn’t about to go there. He groaned. “I’m not getting married again, so whatever you’ve got up your sleeve—”
“I want you to read this.” She handed him the envelope. “After the stroke, I had one of my nurses help me write everything down in case I didn’t have the chance to tell you myself. I’ve been waiting for the right time, but I don’t know if there ever will be one.”
The emotion in her voice concerned Will. He’d never seen his mother like this, not even in the hospital. A disturbing thought flashed through his mind, bringing a rush of panic, but Mom couldn’t predict when she’d have another stroke, so he pushed it aside. Still, apprehension remained. He ran his fingertip along the seal of the envelope but didn’t open it.
Mom took a breath and exhaled slowly. “Please read it.”
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he ripped open the envelope and unfolded the letter.
My dearest son,
I’m writing this from my heart. I hope you will take it that way and not be upset with me. First, let me say, I love your father. I truly believe he is my “one.” He’s not only my right and left hand. He’s my heart. But after my stroke, I realized it wouldn’t be fair to him to live the rest of his life alone if I died. I’d want him to have a second chance at love.
His hand trembled. “You can’t be serious.”
Mom’s tired eyes pleaded with him. “Keep reading.”
Anything else would be a disservice to the love we’ve shared all these years, to the values we’ve lived by and instilled in you and your sisters.
I believe Sara would feel the same way. I loved her as if she were my own daughter, but you both were so young when you married. You were traveling, and she was away at school. And though you loved each other deeply, you couldn’t spend more than weekends and school breaks together. It worked then, but fate stepped in before you could have anything more.
Jagged raw feelings sliced through his heart. He held the paper so tightly his fingers crinkled the edge of the letter. “You’re wrong, Mom. Sara and I…we had so much together. Our marriage was perfect.”
“But Sara’s gone.” Mom reached out to touch his arm. “Please read the entire letter.”
Will didn’t want to read more. He wanted to shred the letter into tiny pieces and toss it in the garbage can. He continued reading instead.
It’s time for you to put the past behind you. You shouldn’t grow old alone, loving a memory, when you can grow old with a loving woman by your side. It’s time, Will. You need to find a woman who will be your life partner and help you heal. You deserve a second chance at love. It’s what Sara would want.
He felt as if he’d been sucker punched. Mom didn’t know what she was saying. He couldn’t believe what she’d written. Not after all the things she’d told him growing up. All those stories about true love and happily ever after she’d told him and his sisters. The stories about the Addisons who had come before them and how they had a tradition to follow. To uphold. “Does Dad know you wrote this?”
She gazed at him through lowered lashes. “No. When it’s time…”
“Mom—”
“I love you so much, and I want you to be happy.”
“You have no idea what would make me happy.” Will’s tone was harsher than he’d intended, but he couldn’t help himself. This was his worst nightmare come true.
Mom smiled. “Thank you.”
“For what? I yelled at you.” He brushed his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry.”
