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“But I live here for free,” I pointed out. “I would just be sort of paying you back.”
“You listen to me, my dear. I understand times are hard and I understand you want to take care of yourself and Eloise without accepting help, but sometimes you got to accept a little help and not feel bad about it. Are you a Christian, Arya?”
“I think so. I mean, I am. I’m just not good about going to church.”
“Well, then you should know that it’s okay to accept a little help. Just pay it forward. You’ve heard the story of the good Samaritan, haven’t you?”
“I have. And you are very much my good Samaritan.”
“Well, I’m glad to be that person in your life and in your story. And maybe one day, you’ll be the good Samaritan for someone else.”
“I’d love to be a good Samaritan for someone else.”
“Honey, I’m almost positive that you already are.” She smiled. “You are a beautiful, kind, loving woman, and I just want you to know that. And I also want you to know that you shouldn’t feel bad about anything that you said to my son.”
“Oh?” I smiled a little sheepishly. “Did you hear that I went off on him? Chet deserved every single word, but he has a good heart, and he doesn’t know how to show it in quite the right way sometimes. I mean, I definitely think he’s nice. He just shouldn’t have gone over my head and stepped in, you know? He crossed the line.”
“I understand, dear. But maybe you could give him another chance to be your friend. You never know.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know I’m not interested in him like that, right? I’m not going to end up with Chet.”
“Whatever do you mean, Arya?”
“I’m just saying I know you want to get all your sons hooked up. But even if I was interested—which I’m not,” I said quickly, “I just don’t have the time or the energy to even think about being in a relationship. I have to find a job. I have to find somewhere to live. I got to figure out Eloise’s schooling. I’ve got to figure out money and—”
“Oh, my dear, you do have quite a lot to figure out, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“So I just want you to know that if it’s to be, it will be. And if it’s not, it won’t,” she said simply. “You can’t stop an old lady from hoping, right?”
“No,” I said, “but…”
“But what, my dear?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “You’re really sweet. You know that, right, Amelia?” I leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “I wish I would’ve had a mom like you.”
“And I too wish I would’ve had a daughter like you.” She smiled and pat my hair. “But you never know. Maybe one day.”
“Amelia!” I said, finally understanding why her sons used to run when they heard her talking about matchmaking. She really didn’t like to give up.
Chapter Ninety-Seven
Chet
“So, your mama was telling me what happened with you and Arya,” my dad said, looking at me sadly. “I taught you better than that, son.”
“What are you talking about, Dad? I was helping her.”
“You know she needed a job.”
“She didn’t need to work at the bar. Come on, you know the sort of guys that work there.”
“Only Chip works there. That’s why he was hiring someone else.”
“I mean, you know the sort of guys that hang out there.”
“Uh-huh.” Dad paused, then changed the subject. “It seems like you got a lot on your mind.”
