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“I’m really not. You think I’m lying about it?”
“Oh, I don’t know, dear. I’m just an old woman.”
I shook my head at her. Though she would never admit it, my mother was desperate for me to get married. It wasn’t enough that she already had seven grandchildren, she needed more. She always thought she was being so sly about bringing it up, but I knew what she was doing.
I couldn’t count the number of times she introduced me to a friends’ son who just “happened” to be in town the same weekend as me. Or the number of men’s phone numbers that she sent me after meeting them who knows where.
Bless her heart, but I was so glad that I lived halfway across the country from her. I don’t know if I would be able to handle it if I saw her more than twice a year.
“Well, anyway, he’s a good boy. Good father. And very handsome,” she continued.
“Mom!” I said again.
“I’m just speaking the truth.”
“Good night, mom.”
“Good night, dear.”
8
OWEN
“Girls! We need to get going!” I hollered into their room.
They were awake, I knew they were, but they were not eager to get out of bed. I couldn’t blame them. I was still exhausted from our long travel day, but spending the whole day sleeping wasn’t going to do anyone any good.
I strolled into the kitchen where Beth had prepared coffee, juice and toast for us, alongside a tray of fruit and sausage that the resort staff had delivered. I never liked to boast about or flaunt my wealth, but it really made life far more convenient.
“Morning, Beth.”
“Good morning, Mr. Anderson. Did you sleep well?”
“Not exactly,” I said, taking a bite of toast. “What about you?”
“I slept like a log. It was wonderful.”
I smiled at her and took a sip of coffee. I would never get over how much better coffee was in Europe than it is in the US. I was going to need it today, too. After being up all night thinking about Skye and what could have been, I was plain exhausted. The girls were about to take their first skiing lesson, and I was thrilled to see them shred the slopes.
“What did you decide about skiing with us today?” I asked between bites of sausage.
“I think I’ll stay here, if that’s alright. Catch up on some reading, maybe enjoy the hot tub.”
Beth had been on enough vacations with us by now that she knew I wanted her to enjoy herself just as much as we were. Sure, I brought her along to help with the girls, but she deserved a break more than anyone.
“Of course that’s alright. Sounds like a really nice way to spend an afternoon. Although, I really do want you to try skiing on this trip. At least once.”
“I promise I will,” she said with a grin that didn’t reassure me one bit.
I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. They were small and slow, but somehow incredibly heavy. I glanced around the corner to see Laila walking down, half dressed and eyes nearly closed.
“Daddy,” she groaned, “I’m tired.”
“I know, baby. Let’s get you some food and then out into the sunshine. It will help you feel so much better, I promise.”
She continued moving down the stairs, one slow step at a time, hardly watching where she was stepping.
“Is Cora out of bed yet?”
