“Because making a nuisance of myself doesn’t get anyone to play nice. This is more about not ruffling the wrong feathers.”
“What I know is that you don’t want to get your hopes up,” his mother said. “Any more than me. This feels different though.”
“It does, but I still won’t put more thought into it than anything else. I’ll let you know if I find more out.”
“I know you will. I love you, Rory. I’m proud of everything you’ve done and what you’ve made of your life. Your sister would be so proud of you.”
The slow smile filled his face. It was almost as if he could hear his sister giving him shit for sucking up.
“Thanks, Mom. She’d be proud of you too for the way you’ve handled this.”
“One of us has to keep our head on straight.”
“He can’t change who he is,” he said.
“I still grieve the loss of the man I married. I never thought he’d act like it never happened, then want me to do the same.”
“He’s handling it his way, we are ours. No one is right or wrong.”
“Bullshit, Rory. His way is wrong. You know it, and I know it. Call a spade a spade.”
Which was why he always loved his mother. That she was vocal and not afraid to put you in your place.
Did he remember her always being that way? He wasn’t sure.
But as an adult, he wouldn’t have her be anyone she wasn’t.
“How about an asshole is an asshole?”
“There you go. Let it out. If your father wants to live in a frozen bubble, so be it, but you and I, we’re doing what Rene would want.”
“I hope so,” he said quietly, but he just wished he didn’t have to be in this position.
8
TROUBLE COULD FOLLOW
“There is my only daughter,” Brooke Ridgeway said the minute Gale walked in the back door of her parents’ home.
“And there is my only mother,” she said, causing her mother to laugh. “Anything I can help you with?”
“Nope, I’ve got it all. Ford and Reenie should be here soon, and Clay and Meredith will walk down.”
She loved her two future sisters-in-law. Reenie had gone to school with Ford for one year and been in the house during that time, then she’d moved away until she came back here on the run.
Ford freed Reenie from her past and now their future was bright, happy, and cheerful with their wedding less than two months away, right here on the property in the refurbished barn.
Her childhood best friend, Meredith Banks, was marrying her oldest brother. Never thought she’d see the day.
First, that Clay would find anyone to put up with him, but least of all Meredith.
Guess things happened for a reason, and their wedding was in three months. Again, right here on the farm with Meredith, who was a part time wedding planner, doing all the work.
Did she find it odd that both of her older brothers had their future wives drop into their laps running from trouble? She did.
And now she had a stranger who might be looking for trouble.
More like answers, but in a small town like this, trouble could follow.
