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“Bamboozled. Now there’s a fun word,” she teases, bringing her mug to her mouth and taking a sip.
I sip my coffee and stare at her over the rim with one eyebrow raised.
“Oh, honey, you know I love you both.” Her eyes soften. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“This is your first day off in how long?” She gives me a side-eye.
Shrugging, I stretch my feet out and stare at the birds flying around the feeder in the yard.
“That’s not living, honey.”
“I’m doing what I love,” I protest.
“I just worry about you. I want you to get plenty of rest. Do some things for you.” She sets her mug down and rocks in her chair next to me.
“Did you get your car fixed?” I tip my head toward her.
She murmurs, “Oh yes, it runs perfectly now.”
“Imagine that,” I deadpan. “Mine is in the shop now. I have a loaner from Sam.”
She turns in her chair to face me, giddy with relief. “I’m so glad you brought it up. How did that go?”
Well, it appears the gossip train in Freedom Valley is alive and well if she already knows about SJ towing me.
I shake my head. “It was awful. He acted like nothing happened.”
“Give it time,” she soothes.
“He’s had twelve years, Goldie.”
“How do you feel seeing him after all this time?”
I blow out a breath. “Sadness, betrayal, anguish, attraction, and bitterness. A tornado of emotions. I don’t like it.” I huff.
“He’s always been a good boy. Now, he’s a good man.” She’s always had a soft spot for SJ.
“I wouldn’t know,” I say in defiance. “I don’t know him anymore.”
“It’s time to change that,” she says as she takes a sip of coffee and rocks gently in her rocking chair across from me.
“I told him I was seeing Thad,” I tell her.
A few dinner dates with Thad doesn’t mean we’re exclusive. I don’t even know why I told SJ that. It just came out.
“I forgot about Brad. He’s not very memorable.” She stares blankly out into the garden, not having anything to add to that statement. Her mouth is in a firm line.
“Thad,” I correct her and giggle. That’s one thing about Goldie—she’ll always tell me what she’s thinking, unfiltered.
I know Thad and I aren’t going anywhere. As much as he and my parents are trying to will it to happen, it’ll never happen. I just don’t have the energy to deal with him yet. And to be honest, he puts no energy into me, so I haven’t been in a hurry to shut it down. Shutting it down will make even more of a mess. Being with Thad is like how my parents are together. For status, not for love. I grew up in a loveless house. No thanks. I’m back in Freedom Valley for Goldie, who is my real family. My parents and I have tried to reconnect since I’ve been back in Freedom Valley. I hate having conflict with them, but everything feels like a battle, and lately, it’s been worsening. They’re trying to mold me into a version of themselves, and it’s just not me. I’m happy living here in Goldie’s cottage and not in a big house, spending every weekend at the country club like they do. It’s just not the life for me.
After a brief and calm silence of us listening to the birds and sipping coffee, she clears her throat and says softly, “Sometimes two people who are meant for each other will face some of the greatest challenges to be together.”
My thoughts are interrupted when I look up to see Thad pulling up in his Corvette.
Goldie tenses. “Look what the cat dragged in,” she mutters.
