Sienna wiggled out of her mother’s grip. “Of course you have. That’s why you’re always telling me how I shouldn’t be working all these extra jobs and should just come home.”
Her mother’s eyes watered. “I’m so sorry that’s the impression I’ve given you. I’m so proud of all that you’re doing.”
These were pretty words, but they didn’t make sense. They were in total opposition to everything she’d ever heard from her mother. She folded her arms across her chest. “And when you told me that hard work isn’t always enough?”
Her mother reached out to grab Sienna’s hand. This time she didn’t pull away. “I don’t want to see you work away your youth. I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices for you girls.”
“Exactly, and—”
“And they have been joyful sacrifices, done out of love. But I want better for you girls. It’s why I co-signed on Harper’s bakery and gave her a small gift to help with the startup costs.”
Sienna’s mouth dropped open. “You what?”
“You thought she was able to start Flour Girl on her own a year out of college?”
Sienna nodded.
“Well, she wasn’t.” Her mother smiled a little. “She needed help. And so did Audrey, when she wanted to get her master’s in teaching.”
All of this was news to Sienna. In the last couple of hours, her entire world had been twisted upside down, and she wasn’t sure what to think anymore. “Does that mean if I had asked for help, you would have given it?”
“Of course I would have. I want you girls to do your best, and you’ve always been so stubborn when it comes to admitting you’re not able to do things on your own.”
“I wonder who set that example for us?” She tried not to sound bitter.
“I had no choice but to do it on my own. The example I tried to set was that it’s important not to blindly rely on a man to take care of everything. But sometimes people need help, and that’s okay.”
Warmth rushed through Sienna’s body. She’d felt so proud of doing it on her own, but it felt even better to know she wasn’t alone when it really mattered.
“And I’m still happy to help. All you need to do is ask.”
“Even now?”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “Yes, even now. I worked hard so that I could save up a bit. Not enough for Audrey’s dream wedding, unfortunately, but enough to help out in a pinch.”
“I wish I’d known.”
Her mother squeezed her shoulders. “Well, now you do. Do you want to call Lila and tell her you have rent money and want to stay?”
Sienna frowned. Lila had already chosen someone to replace her. Sienna didn’t want someone else to end up without a place to stay because she’d been too stubborn to tell her mother about what was going on.
She shook her head. “No, I think it might be too late for that.”
“Are you sure?” Her mother shifted in her seat to take hold of Sienna’s hands and look her in the eyes. “Like I said, I have it tucked away for emergencies.”
“Yeah,” Sienna said. “But maybe you can help me with the deposit and come up to help me pick out a new place?”
Her mother smiled widely. Sienna’s hotel room wasn’t the only place she’d never invited her mother to visit. “Absolutely.” There was a long pause before she added, “Anything else you want to talk about?”
Sienna shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Not even Fox?” Her mother wiggled her eyebrows.
“How do you—” Sienna cleared her throat. “I mean, what are you talking about?”
“Just because I haven’t dated since your father left, doesn’t mean I’m blind. And that Fox sure is a handsome one.”
“Mother!” Sienna’s eyes went wide.
