Why was Bronwyn in his mom’s hospital room?
“When you make it home, call me,” he heard her say. “I’ll bring you some of Chef Louis’s finest creations. And we can watch old movies together.”
Why was Bronwyn offering to hang out with his mom?
“Okay. See you soon.”
Bronwyn stepped into the hall and straight into Mo. Her eyes went huge as he stepped back, then around her. “Excuse me.”
He rushed into the room and promptly forgot about the interaction. Or tried to. After he’d talked to his mom for fifteen minutes, he could tell she was worn out. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her recovery.
“I’ll go for now, Mom. You get some rest. I’m home for the next two weeks.”
“Oh, that’s lovely. I’m so glad.”
He bent down to hug her, and she grabbed his hand and held on. He didn’t try to pull away.
His mom’s voice was weak, but her joy was strong. “Maybe you and Bronwyn can find some time to chat while you’re here.”
“Mom, you don’t need to have anything to do with Bronwyn Pierce.”
“What?”
“Seriously? You can’t trust her. What was she even doing here?”
“She came to see me. She’s back in Gossamer Falls permanently now.”
Mo scowled. “She cut ties with us. She’s a Pierce. I would prefer it if you didn’t let her too close.”
“Sweetheart—”
“Son, let your mom rest,” his father said, stepping in. “We’ll talk later.” Mo’s father was a quiet man who had always had his children’s respect. When he spoke in that tone, the subject was closed.
“Sure. Love you both. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He squeezed his mom’s hand one more time before heading to the door. When he stepped into the hallway, it was to see the furious face of Bronwyn Pierce staring back at him.
He stalked past her.
She followed but didn’t speak until they were in front of the elevators.
“She can’t trust me?” Bronwyn sucked in a breath. “I’m aPierce?”
“Youarea Pierce.”
“You know what I mean. What is wrong with you? Are you truly that filled with hate that you would speak to your own mother that way when she almost died?”
“I don’t want to see her hurt. She loved you like a second daughter. When you pulled your little disappearing act, it nearly broke her! Can you blame me for wanting to spare her that kind of heartache?” The remembered pain of those days sharpened his words. “You won’t stay. You’ll find a new sugar daddy and take off for California. And where will that leave everyone here? Oh, wait, we know, because we’ve already been there.”
Bronwyn’s lip trembled, but when she spoke, her words were as cold as a mountain pass in January. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you? You’re still looking for every opportunity to hurt me.” She shook her head and her lip curled in obvious disgust. “I feelsorry for you. I truly do. But don’t worry. You win. I won’t speak to you ever again.”
With that, she raised her chin, turned, and walked away without another word.
It wasn’t until two days later that Mo confessed to Meredith about his altercation with Bronwyn.
“Oh, Mo. What’s wrong with you? Why did you do that?”
He dropped his head into his hands. “I’m an idiot. I wasn’t prepared to see her. I hadn’t slept in thirty-six hours. I was stressed to the max. And it all just came out of me. I can’t ever get things right with her.”
