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Chapter Eleven
Jensen
The Saturday morning sun is fierce, but the shade of the old oak trees along my mom’s driveway provides just enough cover to make the heat bearable. I’m on the small walk-behind mower, since Wes has the bigger one across town. We got it back earlier in the week from the repair shop, running better than it has since it was new.
When I’m finished mowing, I pull the hedge trimmers from the small trailer behind my truck and get to work making sure everything leading up to the business front looks immaculate. I fell in love with landscape maintenance and design by working this very property, and that love has definitely continued into my adulthood. This place is one of my favorites in the entire county, only second to the sprawling landscape and glorious blooms at the Elliott mansion.
As I’m raking up the trimmings from the yard, Mom comes out, carrying a glass of lemonade. “Hey, you,” she says, setting the glass down on the small table beside the swing.
“Hi, Mom. How’s your Saturday going?” I ask, piling up the scraps and leaning the rake against the porch.
“Good. Rhenn and Marissa took off in the boat for the weekend, so I’m manning the B&B,” she says, nodding toward the glass.
I take the steps up and have a seat beside her on the swing. The lemonade is refreshing and much appreciated on this warm August day. “Thanks for this,” I tell her before finishing the glass.
“Warm out here,” Mom acknowledges, gently rocking the swing back and forth. “Big plans for the rest of your Saturday?”
I use my longer legs to rock us, trying to decide how much to tell her. She’s always been a human lie detector, especially when we were younger. But there’s also the fact Mom quickly became the one I could talk to about anything. When my dad left to screw half the younger population of Rockland Falls, including my good buddy’s very married mom, any relationship we had was severed like the sharp cut of a knife. The easygoing, natural bond I had with Dad was replaced by one with Mom, the parent who was there in person day in and day out. Maybe that’s why I find myself finally spilling all of the details about the Elliott mansion and discovering Kate as the new owner.
She doesn’t say anything as I recall the panic attack or the late night phone call. She just listens, letting me spill my guts, and waiting. “We’re heading to the Falls Festival tonight. We’re going to be seen together.”
“Does that bother you?” she asks, finally speaking for the first time since I started my story.
“No.” I’m surprised by how true that is. I know everyone in town is going to be there, and there’s no doubt they’ll recognize Kathryn Elliott right away.
“Then what’s the problem?” she asks softly, sipping her own lemonade.
“It’s still comfortable with her. I’m surprised at how easy it is, like no time has passed.”
She nods slowly. “Well, she was always very special to you.” Now, it’s my turn to nod. Mom doesn’t need me to confirm her statement. She already knows it’s the truth. “Well, I’m not going to tell you what to do or how to live your life, but I am going to tell you to be careful. You two have a lot of history, and there’s some pain behind it. Just take it slow.”
“I will, Mom. Besides, there were some things that happened back then that may have played a part in the hurt.” Then, I tell her about my returned letters and that she says she’d never seen them, let alone returned them. I explain how she was told I didn’t want her anymore and to stay away.
“I never trusted that her parents weren’t involved in more than they should have been. Her father always seemed to be a decent man, but her mother? Well, she was a bit more conniving and underhanded. It doesn’t surprise me if they somehow played a part in what happened back then.”
We spend the next ten minutes swinging, talking business, and even about my siblings. When it’s finally time for me to gather up my tools and pack up for the day, she pulls me into a hug. “Follow your heart, Jensen.”
The air thickens in my throat. “I will, Mom.”
She nods and turns to head back inside. “Oh, and bring my grandson over for dinner when you get him back. I’ve missed him.”
I offer her a smile. “You just saw him last week,” I remind.
She huffs out a breath. “That was last week. Now I want to see him this week. Bring him over,” she instructs, leaving no room for argument.
“I will,” I assure.
Before she slips through the door, she adds, “And go ahead and bring that pretty Kathryn too. I’ve missed that girl.”
She doesn’t wait for a reply, just disappears through the screen door. Kate and I spent so much of our time together I forgot how much it hurt my mom too when she disappeared. If I bring Kate around, I’m not only subjecting myself to more potential heartache, but my family too.
Especially Max, who already seems completely enthralled with her.
I guess I’m just going to have to take it slow and keep myself guarded. I’m pretty damn sure my heart wouldn’t survive being ripped out a second time.
* * *
“What first?”
