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“I asked you a question,” she mutters. “Where were you? You never leave during work hours.”
“I was with Caleb and Gene,” I tell her, trying to remember the last time I took a spontaneous break from work. Nothing comes to mind since I usually work six days every week with a regular schedule. “We played bocce ball, which I’ve never done before.”
“That’s what wealthy men do for fun? Toss around balls?” She wrinkles her nose in confusion. “I don’t get it.”
“Yep, turns out they’re pretty normal people,” I quip back to her with a bit more attitude than I normally would. “I think since they’re essentially on vacation, it was something fun for them to do together.”
“With you?” My mother gives a disapproving expression. “You’re spending so much time with this new boyfriend of yours,” she adds darkly. “I really don’t like it at all.”
“I thought you’d be happy for me—spending time with a successful, intelligent man and his family,” I say, tilting my head when she starts clenching her jaw. “Isn’t that a good thing, Mom?”
She lets out a deep sigh. “Why couldn’t you have fallen for one of the local guys I kept introducing you to? I just want all my daughters to stay here, raise their families in this same community that has blessed us for so many years, and never leave me. And now, you’ve gone and fallen for someone who will never truly belong here and might take you away from me,” she exclaims.
Tears start to well up in her eyes, and she quickly turns away from me, trying to hide her vulnerability. I’m taken aback by the raw emotion in her voice. We’ve had our differences over the years, but this fear and sadness are new. Guilt washes over me as I sit there knowing I caused my own mother pain because of a lie. Despite the unconventional nature of my relationship with Caleb, my feelings for him are undeniable.
“Mom,” I start, moving towards her, “I love Rustic Ridge, it’s always been my home.”
“But for how long?” Her voice cracks as she wipes her eyes on her sleeve before turning back to face me.
I step back and lean against the counter. “I don’t know,” I admit honestly. “But…isn’t it my decision to make?”
“Of course it is!” She throws her hands up in frustration. “I just wish you had chosen someone from here. But then again, you’ve always been so independent. You told me what clothes you wanted to wear at eighteen months and corrected me on song lyrics at three. While the other girls played tea parties, you started your own ice cream shop,” she sighs. “I just don’t want you to leave and forget about us.”
“I promise to always remember where I came from and no matter where I go, you’ll always be my mom,” I reassure her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Is this why you came to see me?”
“I came to invite Caleb, Gene, and yourself to dinner tomorrow. I want to know this man and his grandfather you are spending all your time with these days.” Mom tells me.
“Mom, can we wait until after the wedding? It’s just so busy right now,” I plead.
She lets out a sigh and stares at me for a moment. “Alright, we’ll wait,” she says reluctantly.
“Now, I’m making your favorite scones. You want to help?”
“I’d love that,” she remarks with a smile. “It’s been ages since we last cooked together in the kitchen,” she says, reaching for an apron. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” I say, realizing that my plans to quickly make a batch of something have just vanished.
I haven’t been spending as much time with my mom lately, but I have the chance to make it up to her now. With all the stress of the wedding and pressure about dating (which started way before Missy’s wedding planning), I’ve been avoiding spending time with her. Family relationships can be complicated, but they are important and I know I need to prioritize them more. It feels like my mom and I have made some progress recently, so maybe this will be a turning point for us.
“Grandma’s orange-cranberry scones coming up!” I call out as the bell over the door sounds.
My heart sinks as I see Caleb walk in. My mom immediately pounces on him like a tiger going after its prey, and my stomach churns nervously.
“Hello?” Caleb says as my mom marches toward him like a woman on a mission.
“Hello, I thought you and my daughter already spent time together this morning. She says you were playing bocce ball with your grandfather. Personally, I find it too slow-paced for my taste,” my mom rambles at Caleb, who glances over her shoulder at me with a bewildered expression.
“I do love spending time with Piper,” he responds. “But I just stopped by to grab some treats for my grandfather.”
“I forgot that I told him I would give him bran muffins.” I slap my head lightly as I turn, remembering the earlier conversation. “I made them with raisins just the way he likes it.” I go to the fridge to grab them.
“Amazing,” Caleb says as my mother continues to stare at him.
“Do you plan on taking my daughter away from her family if you get married and move to a city?” my mother directs this question towards Caleb.
“Actually, we haven’t even discussed marriage yet,” Caleb replies, silently pleading for me to rescue him.
I sit back and watch, relieved to not be in his position. It would be easy for me to give him an out, but handling my mother is a skill he’ll need to acquire—even as my fake boyfriend. So instead, I quietly leave to package the goodies.
