“Hi.” I suck in a lungful of air. “Will someone please tell me why you’re acting like I killed someone?”
Billie glances at her brother, but his gaze is focused on the uncovered tulip bulbs.
“Because,” my mother says slowly, pain evident in her every syllable, “Walker was trying to extend the season. By keeping them covered, they’d still be in bloom by the end of May, maybe even into June. We have two weddings booked right up ’til June sixth.”
“But we never have weddings that late,” I protest, even as the sick feeling grows in my stomach.
Walker clenches his teeth and finally looks at me. “Because we never have flowers for brides to take pictures with.”
“Well, why didn’t you tell me that? I asked you repeatedly why you weren’t uncovering them.” I’m angry now. I tried to talk to him. Tried to get him to open up. It all would have been so simple if the man had just used his damn words. “AndPenny and I found the letter from Frank Seymour in the fire-place.”
My mother sucks in a surprised breath. Ha! See! I knew Walker was up to no good.
Vindication has me stepping forward, my back straightening. “It was addressed to him,” I tell my mother.
Walker sighs, his demeanor not indicating that he’s the least bit concerned that I know about this.
My mother shakes her head. “Frank’s been after your father to sell for years, and Walker was here the last time he stopped by. He offered to take care of it so I didn’t have to deal with the guy. He’s pushy.”
“And I threw the letter in the fireplace because I’d already told him weeks ago your mother wasn’t interested.” Walkersays before glancing at my mom. “I was annoyed that he did again. I thought I’d made it clear where you stand.”
Shit. “But the fireplace doesn’t even work,” I say weakly. I’m losing my fight. It seems Walker has an answer for everything and, more importantly, my mother knows every one of them.
“I fixed that a few weeks ago, too,” Walker grumbles.
“Oh.” My eyes fly to his, and where I expect to find anger, I find exhaustion.
“What will we do?” my mother addresses Walker. My heart pinches at the worry in her voice.
The way she looks at Walker makes me think things are even worse than I imagined. Is it possible that my daddy hired Walker because we are at real risk of losing the farm? Our home?
“I was just trying to help,” I say softly, though my words are lost in the wind.
A gust kicks up right as Walker’s nephew whines from the window. “Are we getting dinner? I’m hungry.”
Billie reaches for my mother’s hand and squeezes. “Why don’t you join us for dinner? We were just heading out. We can figure out a plan for those late weddings. Don’t you worry.”
Walker stares out at the uncovered flower beds, his breathing heavy. His head drops and he nods. “Yeah, Gail, come with us. We’ll figure it out.”
Loss settles deep in my bones as I feel the familiar clang of not only screwing up, but also of not belonging. It’s not me my mother needs; it’s Billie. I don’t know why I even came home. I just keep making everything worse.
“Want to join us, Tally?” Billie asks.
“I’m sure she’s got plans.” Walker’s tone is harsh enough. The way he won’t look at me, though? That stings. Creates this empty ache in my chest that I want to rub away.
Somehow I find my voice despite the utter devastation that sweeps through me. I hold up my dirty hands to Billie. “Yeah. I’ve got to shower. Enjoy your dinner.”
As I watch the four of them leave, I will my mother to turn back and look at me. To see how sorry I am. To tell me she forgives me.
But the truck disappears in the same direction it came from, and no one inside even looks my way.
CHAPTER 14
Walker
“She meant well.”
My sister’s words play on repeat in my head as I drive back to the big house. After dinner, I dropped Gail at the farm and then took my sister and Quinn home. The extra alone time in the car was needed. Even now I’m not sure I’m ready to have a rational conversation with Tally. Hopefully, she’ll be hiding out in her room and we can avoid talking for a few days—or ideally for the rest of the spring.
