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“Thank you.” She dabs her eyes.
She’s younger than I initially thought—around Aunt Willa’s age, or maybe a little older in her sixties.
“Do you have any children, Mary?”
“Yes.” She clasps her hands on the table, cinching the tissue between them. “A son but…” She takes a deep, stuttering breath and releases it. “He’s the one who did this to me.”
Heat soars through my entire body. There’s no hiding my expression. I look at the bruises on her face and arms. Her son did this to her? What the fuck! I want to hunt his pathetic ass down and introduce him to Fred! Cram Fred so far up his ass and pull the trigger. How could he do this to this sweet woman? To his mom?
“Now.” Her hand lifts. “He has a good heart. He really does,” she says as any mother would to protect her child.
My heart breaks into a zillion pieces, thinking about what this woman has gone through, and she’s still willing to defend him. Most believe there’s no stronger bond between a mother and her child. Although I know the truth. Mine left me when I was born. My mother was capable of destroying the bond instantly.
“It’s just—” She shakes her head. “He’s had anger issues since he was a child. Bruce, my husband, and I tried to get him help, took him to see counselors, but—” She touches her mouth again as if saying the words out loud are unjustified. “He left when he was eighteen and only came to visit a few times. Once he found out Bruce passed away, he came home to help me. Things were good at first. But then, he lost his job, and he started drinking. Life has been hard for him these past few years.”
I want to tell her that’s no excuse. No child should hurt their own mother or anyone for that matter. But as I gaze into her eyes, I realize I’m here to listen and help.
Not judge.
“It sounds like a difficult situation, and it must have been very hard for you to leave. But I’m glad you’re here now. Do you have any money?”
Her eyes lower to the table. “My son took it all.”
My hands fist.
I take a breath and release it. I’m familiar with this kind of abuse because I see it at the nursing home all the time. Some children think they’re entitled to their parents' money, even before they’re gone.
“It’s okay, Mary. We’ll find you a furnished apartment. I’ll get you set up for the first six months. That’ll give you some time to get your affairs in order.”
Her eyes lift to mine with hope. “I get a pension from my husband, and I could get a job.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” I reach across the table and place my hand over hers. “But Mary, you can’t tell your son where you are. You have to stay safe.”
“I know.” She places her other hand over mine to comfort me as Cole had earlier in the truck. “I know, dear.” She nods, tears welling up in her pale-blue eyes.
I lie in bed all night, thinking about what Mary’s son did to her. How does Aunt Willa do it? It takes strength, understanding, and patience. I imagine it doesn’t hurt to have been there before herself. Someone she loved and was supposed to love her back abused her. Cole, all the Daxon brothers, have experienced it firsthand. How do these unselfish, caring people survive such ugliness and betrayal and still hold it together?
How do they find it in their hearts to still believe in hope and help others?
Chapter 24
I push the door open. Cole stands shirtless at the kitchen island with a cup of coffee in his hand. It’s a refreshing sight compared to my situation last night. I welcome it.
I drop my bag on the sofa, make a beeline for the coffee pot, and grab a mug out of the cupboard. Sensing his eyes on me, I pour myself a cup and take a sip.
As I lower the mug to the counter, I feel his warm hand on my neck. His strong fingers knead my sore muscles. I surrender to the relaxing massage, dropping my shoulders and closing my eyes.
“Good morning,” he whispers into my ear before kissing my cheek.
“Good morning.” I hum the words, gone to his magical and methodical touch on my neck and shoulders.
He’s good.
“It was a tough one,” he states as if he knows what happened to Mary.
I nod.
“Lix mentioned it might be. You got her all settled?”
