Page 214 of Taken Away

"...so she figured out how to do it after she died."

Aubrey felt heat rush into her face.

"No."

Anne frowned.

"No?"

"There is no 'we,' Anne."

"What are you talking about?"

"You keep saying it."

Aubrey held her mother's gaze.

"'We should sell it.'"

"'We should leave.'"

"'We should move on.'"

She shook her head.

"There isn't a 'we.'"

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Anne said quietly,

"I'm your mother."

"And Mabel left this winery to me."

Anne stiffened.

"Exactly."

"No."

Aubrey's voice stayed calm, but there was steel underneath it now.

"Whatever happened between you and Mabel..."

"...whatever happened between you and Harold..."

"...whatever war you've been fighting for the last thirty years..."

"...it isn't mine."

Anne folded her arms.

"Your aunt made sure of that."

"Maybe."

Aubrey nodded once.