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“You think it’s a good idea?” Oh fuck, were those tears in her eyes?
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, sweetie. This could be so good for the town, and for all the businesses. I know so many people are so scared right now.”
I flipped over a page. “I know, and I figured maybe it was time I started digging in my heels, trying to get this started. I have tried getting in touch with the owners, but trying to connect one on one has been a scheduling nightmare.”
Swiping at her face, she squeezed my arm. “I’m so glad to have you home, honey. Dad and I will help in any way we can, okay?”
“Okay,” I said around the lump in my throat. For the first time since returning home, I actually felt like I had a reason to be here. I had a purpose, more than just fawning over the mountain recluse who broke my heart.
After a few minutes of mom looking over all my ideas, she finally stood and made to go back in the house. She hesitated near the sliding door.
“I just wanted to let you know that Davis is coming over for dinner tonight.”
Standing, I began gathering my things.
“No, sweetie, please don’t go again.” Mom held her hand out, silently begging me to stay.
“Mom, I’m not going over this again.” I gathered everything into my arms. “I told you things didn’t work out between us, and I just don’t care to be in his company.”
“This was exactly why I didn’t want you two getting involved.”
Not the first time I heard her say this, but it didn’t matter. I was an adult now; I didn’t owe her an explanation.
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Just tell me what happened. Help me understand.” Again, her hands were out in that gesture that said she just wanted to understand me. I hated that gesture.
“Nothing, Mom.”
I moved past her, heading inside, but the second I stepped foot inside, I froze.
Davis was there in an untucked gray Henley, opened at his throat. His jaw was covered in a few days’ worth of growth, but his eyes were dull, and a sadness seemed to hang around him like a raincloud.
“Rae.” He dipped his head in greeting then walked into the kitchen, breaking eye contact with me and ultimately dismissing me.
It stung, but I had expected that. I had done nothing but shut him out for weeks. Of course he walked away like I meant nothing.
“Just sit and have dinner. I’ll put you on the opposite end of him, and Dad and I will talk the entire time,” Mom said in my ear, sneaking up behind me.
“Mom, no.” I couldn’t. She had no idea how painful it was to be around him when I had feelings so big—when I hurt so tremendously bad from what I’d overheard in his house.
I heard her let out a heavy sigh as I tucked myself away in my room, starving for more than just dinner.
28
DAVIS
“Mr. Brenton,how nice of you to stop in again…for the third time this week,” Mabel said in a tart tone, like she was worried I’d jump and attack her any second.
“Is it a problem that I’m visiting so frequently, Mabel?”
Her face turned a pinkish color. “No, not at all. I just… Well, you’ve never stopped in so often.”
I fucking hated coming into town, but I was still stupidly here, no matter how many times I had talked myself out of coming. Somehow, I still found myself driving down the mountain and spending my days here, with these exasperating people.
I was two steps from passing Mabel’s desk when she piped up again.
“Although—” She paused, waiting to garner my attention. “Today, we’re closing early, so I don’t know if it’s a good time to start browsing.”
