“I always liked her. I thought she was good for you. I was sorry when it ended. When you left.”
I sighed in frustration that she’d bring that up. Then again, we’d never really talked in detail about that night.
I sat next to her on the bed. “I didn’t want to go. But I couldn’t stay.”
She nodded and looked down as if she was ashamed. “You felt betrayed by me and you were right.”
I blew out a breath. “I was angry you didn’t kick him out or leave him. You always chose him instead of yourself or me. You got mad at me for stopping him from hitting you.” I could feel anger rising and worked to hold it back. She’d had enough of men raging at her. I wasn’t like him.
“I didn’t want to choose. I just wanted to keep the peace. I loved your father and… Well, I suppose I needed him. I don’t have the skills to get a job. If I left with you, what would I do?” She was crying and I felt like shit because I hadn’t considered that she felt trapped. “When he left, and you weren’t here, I was so scared, Wyatt. But I tried and I learned a few things. I’m stronger than I thought. But I still couldn’t do it alone. I’m so glad you came home and you’re taking on the ranch and Stark. I hope you can forgive me.”
I put my arm around her. “I forgive you, Mom.”
“Really?” she sniffed.
“Yes. I’m sorry I left the way I did, but it was good for me. I learned things about myself too.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I’m stronger than I thought too.”
She smiled. “There was no doubt you were strong. And had a good heart.”
“I also learned that my life, at least from now on, is here in Salvation. I won’t run off again.”
She physically relaxed as if relieved. “Maybe this fake marriage will become real.”
From Mom’s lips to God’s ears, I thought. “Even if it doesn’t, I’ll stick this time. I promise.”
“Sinclair would be a fool to let you go, Wyatt.”
“I was the fool, Mom.”
“Well, you were young. Now you’re older and wiser. You’ll do good by her and her daughter.”
I hoped so. “You’re going to be okay in the grandparent apartment? You don’t have to move there. There’s plenty of room in the house.”
“I know, but this place is yours now.”
“Ours.”
“It’s for your family. You’ll have a better chance of convincing Sinclair to stay if she’s not tripping over her mother-in-law. Besides, I like the little apartment. It’s cozy. It also gets the first rays of sun in the morning.”
“If you change your mind, move back into the main part of the house. I mean it, Mom. You’re a part of this family and this effort to send Stark packing.”
She patted me on the cheek. “You’re a good son, Wyatt.”
16
Sinclair
I turned up the drive and approached the Jones house. There was a time when I thought I’d be the matriarch of this home one day. I’d imagined being in Wyatt’s arms at night, making babies and watching the children play in the yard during the day, while he worked the ranch. It had been a schoolgirl fantasy.
Today, as I stopped my car, I wondered, for the umpteenth time, what I was doing. This couldn’t be a good idea. I understood the pros of what Wyatt and I were planning. When I told my parents about this crazy idea, they were surprised, but even they saw the merits.
“We’re a tight-knit community, and we all need to support ea
ch other. I suppose as childhood friends, it makes sense that you and Wyatt would marry,” my mother said. “Just be sure, Sinclair. It’s a big favor you’d be doing for him.”