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12
Acat nap and an energy drink later, I arrived back at my parents’ house. Mum was over the moon when I walked in, as she had just gotten off the phone to Amanda who informed her of the new addition to the bridal party.
She began to fuss about, making lists and searching for her measuring tape. It wasn’t long before I was standing on a chair with my arms spread out as Mum took down all my measurements in preparation. Even though I was happy to pay for a professional to make our dresses, Mum was determined to sew them herself. I guess it made her feel more involved, and I was happy to leave her be.
Whilst she poked and prodded, and told me I was too skinny, she took the opportunity to bring up topics I would usually shy away from.
“So…have you seen Jake yet?”
I scrunched up my face. “No…I didn’t even know he was still in town.” Nor did I care.
“Well, you should probably steer clear of him if you do.”
I chuckled indifferently, but something in her voice made me curious. “I have no intention of seeing Jake…but why should I avoid him?”
Mum pondered for a moment, and proceeded to wrap the tape measure around my bust.
“Well…I wasn’t going to say anything…but he was quite a mess after you left, and has been spiralling ever since,” she stated, and jotted a figure down in her ‘A&N Wedding’ notebook.
I scoffed. He looked pretty happy the last time I saw him.
Mum’s gaze flickered up to mine, and she frowned. “He’s in pretty bad shape, Natalie. He drinks a lot. Can barely hold down a job. A shame, really. That boy had so much potential,” she sighed, shaking her head. “They said you broke his heart, and he never recovered.”
My eyebrows rose at the ridiculous notion. “They?”
She waved me off. “Oh, you know. Town folk. They said he gave up his career for you and then you just left him without even saying goodbye.”
I pursed my lips. “So, it’s my fault?”
“No, I don’t believe that,” she uttered, confidently. “Rumour has it, Jake got fired from his job in the city and he came back to Fairleigh because he was broke—not because of you.”
I inhaled sharply. It had been nine years, and Jake still managed to churn my soul. All this time, I held on to the guilt of him giving up his dream job for me, and it was all a lie.
Mum’s eyes softened. “Oh, I’m sorry, darling. That was insensitive. I’m sure you were part of the reason…just not the only reason.”
I shrugged, trying to shake off the embarrassment. “It’s ancient history. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
Mum placed her hands on her hips. “Around here it does. The whole town was divided back then. You were either Team Jake or Team Natalie.”
I snickered. “Please tell me you’re joking?”
“Well, it was all a mystery,” she said, throwing her hands in the air. “No one knew what really happened. But when he didn’t even bother to track you down after you left, I knew the truth. He just let you go and went around spreading horrible lies. Luke and him got into a nasty fight over it, and now he just drinks and wallows in self-pity.”
I closed my eyes to picture Luke defending my honour and my body warmed.
“What’s that smile about?” Mum asked, pausing mid-measure.
I didn’t even realise I was smiling. “Oh, nothing. I just didn’t get much sleep last night. I’m probably a little delirious.”
“Well, next time you stay here. You’ll never get a good sleep in those hard motel beds.”
“Okay,” I uttered, regaining my composure. I smiled warmly back at her. “That would be nice.”
Mum blinked her glistening eyes, before quickly changing the subject.
We talked about Nate and his future at the farm with Amanda. Mum was excited about having another woman around and the prospect of grandbabies to dote on. I was envious of the connection they all felt to our farm, and wondered how it had missed me. Amanda already seemed to fit in more than I ever did.
Mum brought up Luke and his love life, or lack thereof, and her concerns for him. I tried to act casual about the topic, but I was entirely fascinated. He hadn’t had a serious girlfriend in years, despite everyone in town attempting to set him up. He just wasn’t interested.
