AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My siblings said a lot with one fucking word. “Fuck off.” For a brother who didn’t talk about his feelings much, he was running his mouth a lot today.
“Got it. ’S okay though, you know.”
“What’s okay?” I asked, punctuating my question with massive amounts of irritation.
“To move on. Doesn’t mean you loved Meg any less.”
“What do you know about it? I lost my wife to a brain tumor. You lost yours because your work is your mistress.”
The line went silent.
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Goddammit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Maybe ask yourself what you’re going to lose because you won’t quit working.”
I drew in a sharp breath. Wilder could be tenacious, like a dog with roadkill. I could be the same. “I saw Sutton yesterday.”
He went quiet again. Yeah, it was a low blow but also a relief to get the focus off my mess of a life. “How is she?” he asked gruffly.
Stressed. Sad. Lonely. I’d seen it all in the first minute of chatting with her. “Good. Her vet clinic is finished, and her doors are open. There’s no sign. I’m not sure what she’s calling it.”
“Sutton’s Animal Care. That’s what Aggie said anyway.”
“Simple. Concise.”
“Just like her. Look, uh, Eliot wants to work cattle starting next weekend. I have it off, and Austen’s coming home for leave to help with that and stick around for the Fourth.”
“I’ll be there Saturday.”
“With the kids?” His unspoken question echoed between us.With the nanny?
“That’s the plan,” I said tightly. I had no idea about Tova. We’d probably stay a little longer than the weekend. She could get a few days off. I’d still pay her. She needed it. Would she be too proud to accept it?
She’d negotiated, and I’d sensed her need. I hadn’t wanted to exploit it. Hiring her solved so many issues while creating a few I didn’t know how to deal with other than stroking one out in the shower each morning.
I hated that I went to bed each night anticipating that damn dream.
* * *
Tova
I was in the park on one of the swings, my phone held so the sun didn’t interfere with the screen. “Love you, Mom. I’ll be back to visit as soon as possible.”
My mom’s drawn face filled the tablet. Her smile was higher on her left side than her right, and her wave was visible. Her goodbye was slurred. Fuck her ex ten ways ’til Sunday. I wanted to talk to her, tell her everything, and get her advice. She’d use every bit of her strength to help me get through this mess with Frederick. I couldn’t worry her. She’d never admit to feeling guilty about being there for me like she wanted, but I saw it. Just like I was sure she could tell something was bothering me. Our mutual agreement to not pry would hold firm a little longer.
Andra popped her head next to Mom. She didn’t have to provide care this personal, but she was there every Sunday to set up the online call with me and Mom. “Stay on for a moment, Tova.” The screen flashed around Mom’s simple room. “Lana, I need to speak to Tova before she hangs up. I’ll be right back.”
In the hallway, the image finally settled on Andra’s face. Her salt-and-pepper hair was woven into even rows of braids.
My throat closed up. “Is everything okay?”
The brown skin at the corners of her eyes pinched. “Yes, but...a man tried to get in to visit Lana, but he wasn’t allowed past the reception desk.”
I let out the breath I was holding. “Good. Thank you. Your staff is amazing.”
“Given her history, we band around her a little tighter.” Andra’s smile turned comforting, like she hoped to take the edge off the memories. “But I wanted to let you know. Again.”
“Once Frederick realizes he can’t get to me through Mom, he’ll back off.” He’d have to. He had everything of mine already. His pride wouldn’t let him try again, would it?
