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Chapter Twenty-Two
Ellie
Iwasn’tsurehowto process the unprecedented visit from my mother, but at least I hadn’t seen her since the day I kicked her out of my house. It was still strange to think of it asmyhouse, when it had beenourhouse for so long.
I bit my lip, forcing back the thoughts that would only make me cry and focused on the customer who’d walked into the boutique.
I plastered on my fake, customer service smile as a woman with short blonde hair sauntered through the store. She froze when her eyes caught mine, recognition flared.
“Clara,” I said, not really in greeting, but more in surprise. I hadn’t seen her since my father’s last physical therapy appointment. The thought soured my stomach.
“Oh.” She blinked. “Hi, Ellie.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she approached the counter where I stood. By the look of pity in her expression, I knew what was coming next. I clenched my hands at my sides. “I was so sorry to hear about your dad. He was one of my favorite patients.”
She seemed sincere and my chest twinged. “Thanks,” I mumbled, looking away. Even though she was being perfectly nice, I hated when people mentioned the loss of my father. It happened often, being in such a small town, but it didn’t make it any easier. “Let me know if you need help finding anything.”
Clara shifted on her feet awkwardly. “Of course. I’m just looking around for now, thank you.”
She walked away to peruse a rack of dresses as the bell above the door chimed again. I looked over, happy it was Faye and not another customer.
She smiled and waved as she reached the counter. “Hey, how have things been?”
“Good. We were busy this afternoon. People are really loving the graphic tees. We should put in a new order soon.”
Faye stashed her purse behind the counter and nodded. “I know. A lot are on backorder right now, but I’ve been shopping around at different suppliers.”
She paused, her eyes roaming my face as if she noticed something. I glanced away quickly. Faye had been so supportive since everything happened with Dad. She was there for me if I needed her, but didn’t push. She gave me all the time off I needed and gave me even more hours when I had asked for them. I had opened this morning, so this was the first time I’d seen her today.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
My heart sank. I debated all day on whether I should tell her about our mom being in town. By the happy look on her face when she’d come in, I only assumed our mother hadn’t stopped by to see her, which wasn’t surprising.
I drew in a breath, staring down at the marbled white countertop. “I had a visit from our mother the other day.”
Silence answered me and I glanced up to her staring at me, mouth gaping. Slowly, she blinked. “I’m sorry…what?”
I tugged at the end of my long braid. “You heard right, our mother came to my house.”
“She was here? In Cypress Falls?” She sounded as stunned as I had been.
I nodded. “I haven’t seen her since I was fourteen, Faye. She just showed up out of nowhere.”
“Why?”
I picked at my nails. “I think she wanted to get Dad’s land. Something about her new boyfriend being a real estate agent and how they could help me sell it if I wanted. Which I didn’t.”
“What a bitch,” Faye said, surprising me with her use of language. She hardly ever cussed. She stepped closer, taking my hand. “Are you okay? You should’ve told me she’d been here. I would’ve personally escorted her right out of town.”
I squeezed her hand. “Thanks. I didn’t really know how to feel about it. I just kicked her out and tried to forget it happened. I’m glad she didn’t go and bother you though.”
Faye rolled her eyes. “She never cared enough about me to bother me.”
I frowned, but didn’t know what else to say. “I think she’s gone now, at least. I threatened to have her arrested if she ever came back.”
A small smile tugged on her lip. “Good.” She paused, glancing down at our entwined hands before she continued, “I don’t know if this is the best time to tell you this, but Ty was in here yesterday looking for you.”
Heat flared across my skin. Something inside me fluttered. “He was?”
She nodded. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to tell you or not, I know things between you two are…complicated.” I hadn’t told her everything that had happened between Ty and I, but I let her know I wasn’t seeing him anymore.
