I move to the back porch, finding a little pathway of flowers to follow along the side of the river. It’s chilly but clear out.
I press the phone to my ear, breathing in the quiet, earth-scented air, waiting for my mother’s voice to ruin the peace.
The ringing stops and her voice comes on the line.
“Let me guess, you got your flight mixed up and are calling me to ask me to just drop everything and pick you up from the airport. Well, hop in an Uber, I’m not—”
“No, Mom. I’m still in .?.?. Colorado.”
“Oh.”
“I’m .?.?. going to .?.?.” I sigh, using Dallas’s line again. “Hang here, for a bit,” I say, calm as I can manage. “A job came up, kind of last-minute. Just .?.?. helping out.”
“Did ya lose the one you had here?”
“No. But this one’s a little more .?.?. well, it’s important.”
She gasps. “Did you get a gig at some fancy destination wedding? Luxury hotel resort?”
She almost sounds supportive. And I’m going to have to ruin it.
“I’m not singing or playing, Mom. I’m .?.?. helping this man. With his little girl.” I give her the condensed version of my plan to stay and help “Rose’s friend” so he can keep his daughter. As much as I don’t like sharing someone’s private business with my novel-writing mother—I had to share that part.
Silence stretches on the other end. Then finally, “Single dad? What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s having a rough year.”
“Well, you’ve had a few rough years, who’s going to help you?”
Actually, Dallas is helping me. In a strange way.
For the first time ever, I feel needed. If not wanted. I’ve been given a temporary power here. To save a little girl from being taken away from a father who’s ready to give her the world.
My heart squeezes. It’s almost like the universe is showing me what a real father looks like and giving me the chance to help him be one. Despite my personal doubts and scars.
And even though it’s a far cry from belonging, I feel grounded here, fearless. Like I can breathe. The endless banter with Dallas has me not only defending myself, but confronting demons I’ve been hiding from. Without realizing it, he pushes me to face them.
And for the first time, I want to.
“Mom, please don’t start.”
“I don’t like it, Willow. I don’t like you living with some strange man in a strange town when you’re supposed to be thinking about buying your—” She gasps. “Willow. Oh Willow, please tell me this was your plan all along.”
“What?” I’m almost afraid to hear.
“Marry this man, Willow. But get yourself a prenup, because once you get your money—”
“Mom,” I snap. “There are more important things than money—your one-track mind is exhausting, really. You haven’t even asked how old she is or her name or anything like that.”
She sighs. “How old is she? What’s her name? Tell me all the things,” she adds robotically.
“Forget it.”
“Fine, fine, fill me in on all the boring stuff later, but please think about what I said.”
“I will not. I told you, I’m waiting the four years for the money.I’m not going to ruin someone’s life by tricking him into a—”
“Who said anything about tricking him? It would be anunderstanding. A marriage ofconvenience, darling.”
