“You’ve already done amazing things. We were surprised when Graham first told us about the company and everything you’ve already accomplished. But then Mason and I realized that we shouldn’t have been. Graham has always been somewhat of a dreamer, but if he found the right person to ground him and push him forward, his dreams are the kind that can change the world. That he found you just seems like kismet.”
My chest tightens, and I struggle to swallow. Adrianne clearly reads the change in my expression. “Oh no,” she says. “What’s going on?”
I don’t know if all mothers are this caring and insightful. Having grown up with one who didn’t even live in the same state I did much of the time, I have a sense that they’re not. I thinkAdrianne Riley is special. I still love that, even though I’m not one of her children, she notices and cares about my emotions.
I assume that’s why my next words to her are, “I am madly in love with your daughter.”
I think Adrianne’s brief pause is simply surprise that I said it so suddenly and bluntly, rather than because of the words themselves.
She confirms that a moment later when she smiles and nods. “Yes, I know.” She tips her head. “Has Ginny told you she’s madly in love with you, too?”
I lift a brow. “She has. Did she tellyouthat?”
Adrianne shakes her head. “She didn’t need to. I know my daughter very well. Even though she’d like to think she’s tough and mysterious.”
“She’s really not. At all.”
“I know.”
“She’s loving and passionate and wears her heart on her sleeve.”
“I know.”
“And she cares so much that she’s easily hurt and offended and angry and riled up.”
Adrianne laughs. “I know.”
“She also loves deeply and loyally.” I blow out a breath. “Everyone who is loved by her is so damned lucky.”
Adrianne is still smiling but looks a little choked up. “I know.”
“I think that’s why this latest thing with the investors in New York got to her. Because she actually understood where they were coming from—wanting to protect their family business, wanting to believe another family business was as strong and good as theirs. She got it, and it bothered her that someone would question her loyalty to her family and to them.” I realizeI’ve been staring at the cookies, and I lift my gaze to Adrianne. She’s smiling at me. “Sorry. I got carried away.”
“Never apologize for understanding and loving my daughter like that.”
I smile. “Okay.”
“I love people who love out loud.” Adrianne laughs. “Obviously. Look who I’m surrounded by.”
“You know, I always thought I was just really rational and emotionally even keeled. I thought I fought being emotionally volatile because my parents were, and I hated it. But…” I frown. “I think I just hadn’t found things and people to feel strongly about.” I give Adrianne a smile. “Because I feel very strongly about your daughter, your family, your town, IES, IAS…a lot of things. It’s like since I met Ginny and got to know you all, my emotions have all awakened.”
“Wow,” she says. “I love that. Keep going with that, Everett.”
I huff out a relieved breath. “And because of that, I’m quitting IES. I’ll stay around and help Graham however he needs me, of course, but I’m going to step down as CFO.”
Adrianne frowns. “Please tell me you’re not quitting because you don’t want to feel those strong feelings.”
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “Actually…the opposite. I’m starting my own consulting business. I’ve already got clients lined up. My last day with the company will be—” I blow out a breath and shove a hand through my hair, then realize that I have plastic gloves on, and they are covered with frosting. I now have black frosting streaked through my hair, no doubt. I grimace and say, “As soon as I tell Graham. I was planning to tell him on this trip before I go back to Denver.”
Adrianne takes a moment to take all of that in, then she nods, “Okay.”
I look at her, suddenly needing to hear her reassurance. This is Graham’s mother. She knows and loves him. If she tells me this is going to be okay, I can believe it.
“Do you think so? That it will be okay? That Graham will be okay?”
“Of course. But I don’t think that you should leave IES because of Ginny.”
“It’s what will make her most comfortable.”
