“What is wrong with you?”
“I lost everything to your deadbeat father, Willow. He spent all the money your grandmother left me. I had to start over. Make a name for myself. I was mopping floors when I wrote my first book, did you know that?”
“You said you were a waitress.”
“Yes. On the closing shift. Every night. Spending half of what I was making on your babysitter. Because I trusted and counted on a man who promised me everything and left me with nothing.” She sighs. “Well, left me with something more important than any money could buy.”
“Mom.”
She sniffles. “I hate watching you struggle with late-night gigs for lousy tips, living with roommates who smoke pot or exes who toss you out like leftovers.”
“Mom .?.?.”
“What?” she snaps.
“Thank you. I know you’re looking out for me. But .?.?. I need totellhim about the money first.”
“Fine. Tell him. Not like it matters at this point,” she sighs, “since you’re making me put it back.”
This is the first honest conversation my mother and I have had over this money—over anything. I don’t want to ruin it with another fight. I’ll give her this much.
“Thank you, and I will think about withdrawing it for good and what we’ll do with it, but he needs to be part of that conversation.”
She grunts as if she doesn’t agree or understand this part of a marriage.
I feel sad and angry that she got cheated out of something real and forever. But I’m not about to risk mine with a lie.
“So .?.?. tell me more about this book you’re working on.”
“Oh, it’s just like all my others, whatIwant to know is where you’re going on your honeymoon. You are taking one, aren’t you? I heard you and Dallas tell your guests the other night thattimingisn’t ideal? You just gotmarried.”
“Mom, we can’t think about that right now. Maybe when all this custody drama is worked out, we could, but neither one of us hasvacationon the mind. Not to mention Dallas is hesitant to leave her for any number of days now and I don’t blame him. Heck I wouldn’t mind bringing her along.”
I hear her sigh. “All the perks of getting married—and you want none of it.”
“Oh I wouldn’t saynoneof it,” I say through a smile and just picture her rolling her eyes.
31
Wes swings by the house on Wednesday afternoon. He says the ranch gets a little lonely in the cooler months with fewer events and staff, so he stopped in with today’s lunch special for me.
We sit out on the porch drinking iced lattes.
“I’m glad you’re here, Willow. Rose really missed you.”
“I missed her too—the city’s a lonely place without your best friend.”
“So you’re here for good then?”
“Unless they kick me out.” I shrug like it’s a joke but it hits a little too close to my insecurities.
He scoffs. “Then you’re a lifer.” He looks around. “Hard to leave this place once you fall in love with it. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“Not very hard,” Dallas says with a wink, walking up the steps, surprising me.
“You’re home early.” I smile up at him and he bends to kiss me.
“Hmm. Lips are cold.”
