Of course her mother knew every last detail of her life. She always had.
Martha put a hand to her stomach. All these years... had Lily Rose gone to Mother and told her everything? Of course she had. Mother loved control. After all, her companion’s salarywaspaid by Mother.
But still. For her own mother to try and tell Martha what to do when she had pushed her away that very same day...
It didn’t make sense.
That’s what bothered her about the whole situation.Nothingin her world seemed to make sense anymore.
In the past, her mother’s actions always had a reason behind them. Even if Martha didn’t agree, she could count on her mother to be constant. Predictable. They were predictable. Martha could deal with the distance and the coldness because that was normal. But this?
Her mother was clearly not dealing with her grief over losing Father.
To be honest, neither was Martha.
Losing her father had brought up so many feelings she’d never faced.
Opening up to Jacob had been one of the hardest thingsshe’d ever done, but she didn’t regret it. Especially not after he told her there was hope for more in this life.
She folded the note and shoved it back in her pocket. One of these days, she’d have to figure out how to deal with the situation. Right now, she would keep her head down and plow ahead with her bad mood. It kept her driven and focused.
Everyone said their good-byes for the evening and Jacob and Lily Rose waited for her at the head of the trail. Martha paused and studied her two friends. There was a strange tension between the two of them. They weren’t talking. They weren’t even looking at one another. What had changed?
Even though Martha and her companion hadn’t patched things up per se, things were on a better footing. But this distance between Lily Rose and Jacob bothered her. At one time, she seemed to get along with Jacob, at least. But now the air was heavy with discomfort. Was it because Jacob was so open with his faith? Martha’s head hurt even thinking about it. When had her life gotten so complicated?
Jacob walked beside Martha on the trail back to the carriage. “So I was thinking that perhaps we needed something to boost morale around here.”
“I know I haven’t been in the best of moods, but I don’t think your attempts to cheer me up are doing the trick. I need to stay focused.” Oh, why did she keep snapping at him? He was trying to help, but she didn’twanthis help. There was so much to do, and her mother’s words wouldn’t leave her alone. How was she supposed to put distance between herself and Jacob? Not that she wanted to, but she needed her mother’s financial help.
Martha pressed her fingers to her throbbing forehead. Everything was a mess.
“Focused?” He stepped a bit farther away. “You mean focused on your anger?”
Lily Rose gasped behind them.
Martha took a quick glance over her shoulder.
“How dare you speak to her like that,” Lily Rose exclaimed. “You should learn to mind your manners, young man!”
“Lily Rose, you—” Martha was cut off by Jacob lifting his hands, pausing in the path.
“I apologize for being so blunt, but Martha, this isn’t you. I don’t know what has put you into this mood, but let us help you. We’re your friends. Remember?” He reached for her hand.
The simple touch melted the edges of her fury toward her mother, and she stopped and turned to him. Stared deep into his eyes and saw the concern and truth there. She nodded. “I’m sorry. Yes, we’re friends.”
“Good. I don’t believe friends should allow their friends to stay in a foul mood for longer than, oh, say, an hour.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “You’ve definitely exceeded that time so why don’t we figure out what we need to do to move into a better frame of mind.” He gave her that lopsided grin and then winked.
A blush crept up her cheeks. Did he know what that did to her insides? She’d have to teach him about proper etiquette. A man didn’t wink at a lady. It was entirely too ... intimate. “Jacob.” With a sigh, she glanced at Lily Rose.
The older woman’s gaze was locked on their clasped hands, her nostrils flared with anger.
Martha pulled back, feeling the heat creep up her neck, but she forced a smile in Jacob’s direction. “I’ll try to do better and not be so grumpy tomorrow.” Maybe that would be good enough for now.
They reached the last curve in the trail and she saw her carriage with Walter in the driver’s seat.
Wait. There was another figure by the gate.
Oh, ick. That despicable Leonard Foster.
