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“And?”
She sat down on the couch and patted the space beside her. “Will, I know I haven’t been the best mother to you. In fact, at times I’ve been a better manager than mother. We’ve built an empire together and I wanted to protect that. But not as much as I willalwayswant to protect you.”
Her expression softened and for a brief moment he thought he saw her, truly saw the mother from his childhood.
“I pushed you too hard at times and I know it. I wouldn’t say I regret it because look at what we’ve done. I’m eternally proud of you. But when I look at you now and see how unhappy you are, it makes me feel like the biggest failure in the world. None of the money, the fame or the business mean anything if you’reunhappy. And you’re unhappy because it’s not what you want anymore, and I wouldn’t listen.”
Hope lit his chest for the first time in weeks. “Tell me we can fix this?”
She smiled at him. “We can fix this.Ican fix this. After all, I am Diane Crawford-Wyatt-Miller-Harkins.”
“Thank the Lord, because I’m done. I can’t do this anymore, I won’t do this anymore. I want to work at the shelter, I want to open more. I want a more fulfilling life. I want her.”
His mother’s smile widened. “I fully support that. I spoke to her earlier and I give my seal of approval.”
“You do? How is she? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, on the surface. But she needs you.”
He snorted. “Belle doesn’t need anyone.”
Diane tilted her head. “I can’t believe I already know her better than you. Shedoesneed you.” She pulled him into a hug and he relaxed into it, really hugging her.
“Now what do we do?”
“You let me do what I do best as your manager.”
“Okay but after this, you’re fired.” He held his breath, waiting for her to argue but she didn’t.
“Sounds good to me. That way I can focus on just being your mom.”
A lump rose in his throat at her words, he wanted that so much. For them to go back to the way things were.
She let go of him and stepped back. “Now, you’d better hurry if you want a chance to make things right with her before the wedding. The private jet is waiting, go pack your bag.”
He kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Will was impatient to get to Rebelle but that grew tenfold when the plane was delayed. He spoke to the pilot who assured him they were working as quickly as possible to solve the issue.Will stressed the urgency of the journey and they agreed to source another plane. One thing he would miss from his old life was the speed with which he could get shit done, just from his name alone. That would probably change once he left the limelight, but he would deal with it. As long as he had Rebelle and the shelter, he could deal with anything.
When he finally landed on the airfield outside Citrus Pines it was much later than he’d anticipated. He decided to head straight to Blake’s to spend the night with the groom and best men. He would catch Rebelle after the wedding tomorrow. Even though the thought of waiting killed him, he didn’t want to interrupt Justine’s evening and pull attention away from their special day.
Will rang the doorbell of the modest farmhouse and waited for Blake to answer. The sheriff appeared, his scowl etched on his face and it didn’t shift when he spotted Will. He stood in the doorway and folded his arms across his wide chest.
Will knew he’d been a dick in ignoring Blake, his own issues getting in the way and he owed the man an apology. But he settled for humor first. “I see fatherhood hasn’t mellowed you.”
The sheriff’s lips pursed. “You suck at apologies.”
“I know. I was a dick and I know it. I was too wrapped up in my own thing and I’m sorry. But I’m here, if you have room for one more best man?”
The scowl remained in place for long enough to make Will worried before it slipped. “Get in here, dickhead.”
Will grinned and they hugged, slapping each other’s backs so hard they winded each other. He followed Blake into the house.
“Look who finally pulled his head out of his ass,” Blake said, entering the living room which was decorated bright orange. Will came in behind him, a sheepish smile on his face.
“Well it’s about damn time,” Beau grinned and got up to greet him.
