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“Oh, Spencer, it wasn’t your fault,” my mom replied. “It was Archie being a bull-headed pig as always! Besides, I’m a confident woman with load of experience and a lot of people skills. I’m sure I’ll bounce back soon enough.” Her words didn’t quite match her nervous expression and I sighed. My mom was trying her best to stay positive, but I knew she was worried about our future. We both were.
“I know it wasn’t my fault,” Spencer told her with a sincere expression. “But I’m still going to make it up to you. Look, I’ve already contacted one of my friends who works as a lawyer in New York. I told him about the whole thing and he thinks we’ve got a good case for a wrongful termination law suit against Jenkins & Co. All you have to do is say the word and we’ll get started on that right away.”
I gasped. Was Spencer being serious? That sort of thing could be incredible for my mom. Not only would she get justice against the asshole who ruined her career, but also, she’d get some money to tide her over until she found another job. Spencer was a real lifesaver.
“Oh, Spencer, I can’t thank you enough—”
“Hold on, Robin, I’m not finished,” he interrupted with a wide smile. “I’ve also booked the entire family an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii for a whole week, starting tonight. I’ve organized a chartered plane to stand by at the local airfield. All I need you guys to do is pack your bags.”
“You’re kidding,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. Two pairs of eyes turned and set their gaze upon me straight away and I immediately regretted opening my mouth.
“Oh, Rylee! Did you hear that? Isn’t it wonderful?” my mom gushed, rushing toward me and taking my hands in hers. “A vacation to Hawaii! I’ve always wanted to go there and we haven’t taken a trip since before Jayden was born!”
I was speechless. It was an amazing idea, but I still wasn’t sure how I felt about spending time with Spencer or how I felt about Jayden spending time with Spencer. “I… I have to work this weekend, I’m sorry,” I explained, looking down at my feet and trying to avoid making eye contact with either of them.
“Oh, what a shame…” Robin lamented.
“No, you don’t, Rylee,” Spencer interjected.
My head snapped up and I sent him a fierce glare. “What do you mean? Of course, I—”
“No, you don’t because yesterday, I bought the grocery store,” he stated plainly.
My eyes widened. He couldn’t be serious. This was crazy.
“As the new owner, I’m giving you paid vacation time for the entire length of the trip. You don’t have to worry about a thing, Rylee,” he continued with a great big smirk on his smug face.
My jaw dropped to the floor as did my mom’s and we both stared at him dumbly.
“I… I knew you had to have a decent amount of money to retire so young, but I had no idea you had this kind of wealth, Spencer!” Robin exclaimed, still looking at him in shock.
Spencer shrugged. “You know me, Robin. I’m not one for bragging. And besides, this vacation is the least I could do to make up for getting you fired.”
My mom smiled wide. “Well, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth! I’d love to get whisked off on a tropical vacation. I’ll get packing right away.” With an excited squeal, my mom raced up the stairs and left Spencer and I alone in the hallway.
For a long moment, we stared each other down and said nothing. I glanced upward to the stairs, worried that mom might overhear us, but then I heard her turn the radio on and begin singing cheerily. The fact that Spencer had made my mom so happy wasn’t lost on me and I softened a little toward him, but still, I had Jayden to think about.
“Spencer, are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked him with a thin-lipped smile.
“It’s the only thing I could think of that would let me spend time with my son away from the prying eyes of the town,” Spencer explained with a shrug. “I want to meet him still, Rylee. I want to learn who he is and what he likes. I think it’s only fair that you let me have that chance, Rylee. Besides, a vacation to Hawaii must sweeten the deal for you, huh?”
I scowled at him. It was a nice gesture, but I didn’t want him to think that I was the type of person who could be bought like this. At the same time, however, I knew that if I refused to go, my mom and Jayden would miss out on an amazing vacation. I couldn’t do that to them.
