“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll represent you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Can I ask you a question about my father now?”
Her hand tightened around the spatula. She lowered it to the benchtop and turned to face Hope again.
“When I told you that he’d been in touch and wanted contact with you again, you said it was too late. Why now?”
“Because I want to know if you ever loved him, and if he was a good or bad man. I don’t remember him, you see, and I think I should.”
She turned back to the stove, and Hope wondered if she would speak again.
“He was a good man, just the wrong man for me. We had a good life for a few years, and then he grew restless here. Howling was always the place I wanted to be, but not him. He wanted the big city life. It drove us apart eventually.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, you get your stuff, and I’ll drive you to Macy’s shop.”
The day was warm, and the sun shone bright. It would be a great day to take photos, and Hope felt a twinge of excitement. She was ready to do this again. Okay, maybe not this. Fashion shoots had never been on her list of highs, but working at what she loved would be fun.
“Thanks, I’ll catch you later then, Mom?”
Her mother then did something rare, and patted her cheek.
“I’m proud of you.”
“Really? Thanks.”
She stood on the pavement and watched her mother drive off, slow enough that if Hope wanted to, she could run after her and catch her at the corner.
“Hey there, Hope.” Macy appeared in a soft, floaty dress that made her look pretty. “You okay? You look a bit shocked.”
Hope shook her head. “All good, thanks. Mom just said something out of character.”
Macy laughed. “Hate when they do that. My mom will do that occasionally, and I’m like, who are you and where’s my acid-tongued mom.”
“Ha, yes. Exactly that.”
“Okay, so let’s get this stuff inside, and we’ll take it through the back. Brad’s just arrived with the pickup.”
“Thanks.”
“We’re heading to the redwoods by Jake’s first, if that’s okay with you?”
“Sure and, if it’s okay with you, I’ve asked Mikey Tucker to come along. He’s been learning from me, and after his grandmother passing, I think it will be good to keep him busy.”
The woman smiled, flashing white teeth.
“He’s already here, and inside eating cookies.”
“Sorry, I should have—”
“Hope, please. You don’t need to apologize, that’s how we do things here. He’s part of our community, just as you are.”
Hope followed Macy inside. Mikey was indeed eating, lounging on a chair, his mouth full of food.
