AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I am. I’ve had the chance to do a lot of thinking, and honestly, I can’t think of anything else I want to do right now. You’d think that after being in the App design business for so long, I’d just start up something else. But that’s not in me right now. Besides, once I’d built the foundation of my business, it was all about the people. Bringing on staff to take it further, who knew more than I did, and then we all benefited from the success. If you take the product out, that’s what I hope to do here. And I mean that. I know this might sound out of the blue, but… I want to see this through.”
“Well, if you’re sure, then I’m thrilled.” Her face lights up, and it makes me genuinely happy to see. Perhaps a sign of things to come? “Why don’t we invite Tegan over tomorrow? We can go out to celebrate. It’s the first time I’ve had you both home for such a long time.”
“That sounds like a great idea. It will be good to include Tegan,” I muse.
Mum takes this moment to pull me in for a hug. She’s so excited she can barely contain herself. “Oh, I have a good feeling about bingo tonight. Come with me? The ladies would love to see you.” She pulls back to ask.
“I think I’ll pass, but thank you. I’ll get in touch with Tegan, and we can go for dinner tomorrow?”
“Perfect.”
It was the first time in a long while I can remember doing something that gives Mum such joy. And maybe she’s right. Maybe this is the turning point I need—to see my future here instead of just my past.
“To my wonderful girls.” Mum raises her drink, and Tegan and I both clink our glasses together.
“Thanks, Mum. But really, this should be a toast to you. To all of us.” I sip the delicious red and look at my family. The King’s Port is becoming a firm favourite thanks to the wine here.
We order, drink some more, and for the first time since I arrived back in Tregethworth, I feel lighter. Unburdened. I keep the smile on my face and let Tegan chat animatedly about the ideas for the style and features of the glamping pods.
She and Mum have put some names of local tradespeople together and mentioned an accountant right in Tregethworth, so my next task will be assigning contractors to get things moving. It would be too late for this tourist season, but we can start taking advance bookings for next year as soon as the plans are drawn up and approved. We’d book based on the artist’s impressions.
“Guess who I just saw at the bar?” Tegan comes back towards our table with a grin on her face.
“Who?” Although I have half an idea judging by the look on her face.
“Jayce.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down.
“I thought I told you there’s nothing there and to leave it.” I give her a pointed glare.
“I’ll go and settle the bill,” Mum excuses herself.
“No, Mum, you don’t need to do that.”
She simply bats her hand through the air like it’s nothing and leaves me with Tegan.
“I went to see him, you know. After the day you visited the farm.”
“What? Why, Tegan. I thought I was clear about everything Jayce related.” I reach for my glass and force my eyes not to roll at her. “Why are you interfering?”
“I was not interfering. I just needed to know a few facts that you seem to be keeping to yourself.” She defends her actions, and I’m sure they only came from a place of support.
“And?” I rest my forehead on my fingers, waiting for her judgement or opinion or whatever I’m going to get.
“And nothing. He seems like a great guy.” She just smiles.
“That might be true, but don’t look at me with those heart eyes. There’s a tonne of history between us, and I’m concentrating on being present and not slipping back into past hates. I have the new business to contend with, too.”
“Right. Okay.” She drains her glass of sparkling water.
We might not have been close these past years, but I can tell when she’s hiding something or not telling me the full truth. “Don’t—I told you. Please don’t spoil tonight.”
“I’m not the one spoiling anything!”
“Ready to go?” Mum comes back from the bar and looks between us both. “What happened?”
“Nothing, Mum.”
“We’re fine,” we both answer at the same time.
