AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She doesn’t want to listen. She only cares about her charities and friends.”
I cross my arms. “If that is true, don’t marry her. Run as fast as you can.”
His voice breaks. “I love her. I can’t walk away from her.”
I turn away from him. “I’ll leave you to your internal battle.”
“Lorimer, you must have some advice. We’ve known each other for a decade. We both love her.”
“I’d tell her what you’re afraid of. Tell her you don’t want a superficial existence where you flit from one gala to the next. Tell her what is most important in your life.”
“It’s her.”
I hold up my hands. “The problem is she prefers parties and galas. And she is not one to stay and fight for what is important.”
He stares at me, a broken man. He knows I’m right. But I regret saying it aloud on his wedding day. He does love my mother. But he is destined to live a life dictated by her.
“That’s your issue with her, my friend. She was in her twenties when you were a young boy. She was much younger than you are now. Your father was older and difficult. It wasn’t a fair playing field.”
“This isn’t about me. I’m an adult. I’ve let go of the past.”
Graham clears his throat. “I don’t think you have. She is desperate to have you in our lives. It’s why we didn’t marry at the registrar’s office. She wanted you at the wedding. Now, she wants us to spend a year following you around the globe, doing all the adventures.”
I look at him. That is not happening. “We’re booked a year in advance.”
He lets out his breath. “Lorimer, that is not the issue. The issue is that she fears marrying me will push you further away. And my children are not helping. They don’t want us to marry either.”
Recognition begins to filter down. They are both worried about losing their existing families. But I don’t particularly want an emotional discussion about the past with my mother.
I blink a few times. “I’ll speak with her. You’ve been a part of my life for years. You’ve watched me fail and succeed with Bespoke Adventures. By now, you’re part of my family, Graham. A marriage ceremony won’t change that. It will strengthen it. You should call your daughter and see if you can get her to come. It’s important.”
He lets out another heavy sigh. “It’s too late. She is three hours away.”
I face him. “We are in a rented castle. The ceremony could be delayed a few hours.”
“Yes, but the caterers will have planned the dinner for a certain time.”
I flick my hand. “Have the ceremony after dinner. I’ll speak with my mother. You reach out to your daughter and arrange it. She should be here.”
He pulls the phone from his pocket. “Thank you, Lorimer.”
“Graham, I will make more of an effort with your children. I’ve never had siblings. But I’ll attempt to forge a bond with them.”
He moves forward and throws his arms around me. I return his hug for a brief moment and then gently push him away. “Give her a call.”
I head back inside to find my mother. I hadn’t realized that holding her at arm’s length was causing such an issue. I knock on the door to her suite and walk in without waiting for a response. Imogen sits beside her on the sofa, clutching a box of tissues.
“Immy, can I have a few minutes with my mother?
She stands. “Absolutely. I’ll check on the guests.”
“Graham is reaching out to his daughter, asking her to come. She’s three hours away, so we’ll have to brainstorm how that could work.”
“I’m not delaying my wedding.” My mother uses the tissue she is holding to dab at her eyes.
I look at Imogen. “I’ll find you in a few minutes.”
She nods and slips out of the room quietly.
