What did you say to someone who’d stood by while her husband lied?
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He blinked, not sure he’d heard her correctly. “You’re sorry?”
“I didn’t try to stop Blaine. What he said—what he did to you and Mia—it was wrong. And I let it happen.” Her voice broke on the last word. “I was weak and failed my baby girl.”
“Mrs. Turner.” Jackson reached out but didn’t touch her. “I forgive you. Mia’s told me some of what happened. I’m glad you two are mending your fences.”
She nodded, a tear trembling on her lashes. “I don’t know if it’s possible, after all these years. But I want to try.”
He couldn’t ask for more than that. “I hope it works out for you. I’m here to take Mia to the hospital to visit someone we know.”
“Yes, I know. Mia told me some of what’s been going on,” Carol replied. “I’m sorry about your brother. I hope you find him soon.”
Jackson blinked. He hadn’t expected that. “Oh, um, thanks.”
Mia stepped up beside her mother. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Carol gave her daughter a tentative smile. “I am. You go on. It’s time I took care of my family.”
Mia glanced at her mother for a moment, then suddenly, she hugged her. Carol Turner seemed to freeze before she wrapped shaking arms around her daughter.
“I’ll call you later.” Mia stepped back from her mother. “Make sure Gus gets her pills.”
“I will. You know I’ll do better than Jane.”
Mia wrinkled her nose. “Yeah.”
Jackson looked deeper into the house.
“Gus is still asleep. She’ll probably sleep until nine.” Mia grabbed Jackson’s hand and pulled him toward his truck.
“What—” he started.
“I’ll tell you in the truck.” She had her jaw set tight, her teeth pressing together.
He opened her door and let her climb in before closing it and jogging around to the driver’s seat. The moment they were on the road, he gave her a side glance. “Talk. Now.”
She blew out a big breath that ended in a caustic chuckle. “This morning has been like a tale straight out of The Twilight Zone. I couldn’t think of anyone else to stay with Gus, and I promised Reggie I’d be there as soon as I had someone to look after her, so I called my mom. I don’t know which one of us was more shocked—her that I actually called, or me that she said yes. She’s never shown any interest in spending time with her aunt before. Anyway…” She shook her head slowly, as if she still couldn’t believe what she was saying. “She showed up on the doorstep this morning with two suitcases!”
“Suitcases?”
“Exactly! Yesterday, I invited her to move in, but she didn’t act like she wanted to do that. Then apparently, after Blaine left for a meeting last night, she packed her suitcases and put them in her car. She didn’t take anything he’d notice was missing.”
“So she’s…what?” Jackson couldn’t wrap his head around this.
“She told me she’s left Blaine. She’s going to find a lawyer—not the one Blaine uses, obviously—and she’s filing for divorce. She doesn’t care about the house or any of the furnishings. That’s going to ruffle some feathers, especially since he’s running for office.”
“He is?”
She nodded. “He’s running for the empty Senate seat. He’s planning to announce his candidacy in November.”
Jackson didn’t know how to respond except to say, “That would be a nightmare.”
“Ya think?” She snorted. “No, I can’t see that as a good thing either. But that’s what he’s doing. My mom stood behind him for years, mostly because she felt she had no choice.”
Mia drummed her fingers on the door for a moment. Jackson remained quiet, giving her time to process. Finally, she glanced his way.
