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Vada cleared her throat and drew in a breath. “It’s just a weekend. A day, really. I can pick you up at the airport on Saturday morning and drive you back myself on Sunday morning.”
Hades is going to kill me. And he’d have good reason. What bride offered to chauffeur people from the airport the morning of their wedding? Then offers to make the two-hour ride the next day and drop them off? It was ludicrous, ridiculous, and pure insanity.
“I don’t mind, Mom.”
Vada waited, tapping her foot on the floor. Again, the silence and hesitation were feeding her hope.
“The timing, Vada” —her mother paused— “is just all wrong.”
Vada balled her fists, digging her nails into her palms. She’d never raised her voice to her mother, and she wouldn’t start now. She would, however, point out the discrepancies in her mother’s statement.
“But.” Vada flattened her lips and drew in a breath. She had to remain calm. “I changed the date twice because you had plans, and you specifically said you didn’t have anything going on that weekend. I confirmed it with you several times.”
It was rare for Vada to call out her mother. It was even more rare for her mother to stay silent.
It was time to change tactics. She wasn’t sure if it would work, but she was about to find out.
“Aunt Gloria is coming.”
Vada wasn’t the only black sheep in the extended family. Her mother’s sister danced to the beat of her own drum, which didn’t always translate to appropriate behavior in their family. Plus, Gloria was known for butting heads with Vada’s father. Vada always assumed that was the reason for her absence.
Her mother scoffed, and Vada could almost picture her rolling her eyes. “She responded, which doesn’t mean much. Gloria’s notorious for not following through with promises. Do you have any idea how many events she’s been invited to and didn’t have the decency or the manners to respond?”
This was not going how she’d planned.
“Maybe you can reach out to her.”
“Why would I do that?”
“You can coordinate flights and maybe share a hotel. I can pick up both of you, or you could rent a car if you’d prefer.”
Her mother sighed. “Vada.”
Vada completely cut her mother off and blurted. “There’s a very nice hotel about twenty minutes away. I can book it for you and Aunt Gloria. I’ll set up transportation to and from the wedding for you. There are a few guests from the wedding who will be staying there also. Did I mention it’s really nice?”
“And how many of your guests will be on parole?”
Vada winced and scowled at the phone. Wow, Mom, really? She should’ve seen it coming, but Vada thought they were past that. Her mother had relentlessly harped on Hades' incarceration at the beginning of their relationship. But it had been a long time since she’d brought it up. Vada remained silent and dragged her hands through her hair. There was a new tension building in her chest.
“He’s been in prison, Vada.”
“Yes” —she ground her teeth— “and he served his time. He’s also not the same man he was years ago. People make mistakes, they learn from them, and they change. That’s exactly what Hades did, not only for himself but for Allie. That’s the sign of a good man. And a good father. You’d see that if you met him.” Vada softened her tone. “And I want you to meet my daughter.”
If anyone on the planet could win over Carolyn Zink, it would be Allie Monroe. There was an undeniable spark about Allie. It was impossible not to fall in love with her instantly.
“She’s not your daughter, Vada. You didn’t give birth to her. She doesn’t share your bloodline. She’s nothing more than a familiar stranger.”
What the…
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I’m not trying to be cruel, Vada. I’m being honest. It’s the truth.”
“I disagree.” Vada was a mother to Allie in every sense of the word except by blood.
“She’s not your daughter. She’s his, and somehow, you’ve been manipulated into raising her. I won’t watch my real daughter make the biggest mistake of her life.”
Vada drew in a breath, deep and harsh, as if she’d been sucker punched.
