“And Brovish?”
“He’s part of what I’m running toward,” I said carefully. “If that’s what you’re asking.”
“Do you love him?”
“I don’t know yet.” I looked at the trees where Cooper had disappeared. “I’m not afraid of finding out.”
“That’s a start.”
“Is it enough?”
“For me? Yes.” She started walking again, and I fell into step beside her. “I’m not expecting perfection, Laina. I’m hoping for honesty. Small steps. Maybe we can try that?”
Tavresh-mora. The space that must be walked.
“I think we can,” I said.
We walked the rest of the perimeter and though the silence between us wasn’t quite comfortable, it was heading in that direction. When we reached the parking area, she pulled her keys from her pocket.
“I should get back to the cottage,” she said. “I need to book a flight. Jerry’s been texting, wondering when I’m coming home.”
“How is he?”
“Persistent. In a good way.” She smiled. “We’re working on things. Trying to talk instead of walking away.”
“That sounds healthy.”
“It is. Most days. You see…I ran away myself. So maybe you got it from both of us.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way.
“When do you plan to leave?” I asked.
“In a few days, if that’s alright. I want to stay and see more of your new life.”
“I’d like that.” This time, when I said it, I actually meant it.
She unlocked the car but turned back. “After I leave, will you call me sometimes?”
“I will.”
She hugged me, quick and awkward, but we were out of practice. When she pulled back, tears gleamed in her eyes.
“You’re doing good work here,” she said. “Your father would be proud. I’m proud.”
“Thank you, Mom. That means a lot.”
She stroked my face and got into her car.
I stood under the overhang and watched her drive away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LAINA
The distance between my mother and me hadn’t closed completely, but it had narrowed. Small steps. That was all either of us could manage right now.
I found Brovish in his office, sitting at his desk, writing in his notebook. He looked up when I knocked on the doorframe.
