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“Did he cut us a deal? I’m not opposed to spending the money, but he charges a shit-ton for that rental. Not to mention, it’s larger than what we need.”
“Free in exchange for a few punch-list items.”
“Punch-list?” This could go downhill very quickly if we’re walking into a barter-exchange.
“He’s emailing me a list, but the main thing is he’s having a new outdoor kitchen installed, and he’s going to be up in Chicago. The week was already free, and he needs someone to oversee it.”
“Not a lot of work.”
“No, and between the two of us, it won’t be a problem. As for the size, I thought it was a good idea for everyone to have their own room this year, especially with the addition of Darby. We’ll have a spare room if Mom, Dad, or any of the Grahams want to come for a few days.”
“Good thinking. I’ll tell Connie tonight when I drop the kids off.”
“Let’s hope to hell she doesn’t mention joining us.” He groans, remembering her insistence at Rosen’s that night.
“To be honest, with everything happening, this trip slipped my mind. I didn’t know if Todd would pull through, so I also haven’t brought it up with the kids. Hopefully, this vacation will be exactly what everyone needs.” Resentment seeps into my words.
His eyebrows shoot up, not missing the bitterness in my voice. “Something going on?”
My mood sinks, and the familiar unease returns. “The same shit that has been hanging over me for weeks. Connie is pissed, and when I say that, I mean she’s fucking pissed, even by her standards.”
“Well, you knew that. Last Monday, you slayed her ass.”
“Normally, I’d be happy with her silent treatment, but her tactics have shifted. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement over the weekend, and when they spoke to her last night, she killed it immediately. They had her on speaker. At the mention of working the booth and sampling all the treats, Connie went into a rant about the unhealthy effects of too much chocolate and the probability of getting fat. Maya’s face fell, and all the color drained away. Then, she lectured them about the dangers of horseback riding and went as far as to tell them to have me sterilize their clothes because of the horse stench. At that point, Cole’s shoulders slumped. Her hostility was so thick it sucked away their happiness. Before bed, I caught Maya deleting all the pictures she took over the weekend. Connie didn’t even have to mention Darby’s name to ruin their great time.”
“I’m not sure you should share this with Darby.”
“Hell no! That’s another thing.” The ping in my chest intensifies, as my mood grows angrier. “Did you feel the tension in the air last night? The atmosphere from when we arrived, to when we finished with the horses, was a complete one-eighty. Darby was reserved and detached. She pushed her margarita away when the kids were around, her conversations were quiet, and her own mood solemn. It was exactly the opposite of her on Saturday night.”
“You should call your mom.” Dad saunters in, taking the chair next to Miller.
“Why?”
“Because she rambled on and on last night. She’s worried about you and Darby. Maybe you pushed this thing too fast.”
Before he even said it, I knew it was coming. “I disagree. There’s no way I could let Connie poison their minds about Darby. They needed to meet her.”
“You have a point, but Saturday night, she was Darby Graham, the business owner and chocolate extraordinaire. She had to put on a show.”
“You’re wrong. You haven’t been able to spend much time with her, but that woman on Saturday night is the same woman I fell back in love with the minute I saw her. When we were in Aspen, those people were falling over their feet to get time with her. In the community here, it’s the same way.”
“Well then, maybe us invading her space with Maya and Cole was too much. Riding the horses, playing games in her yard, chasing her dog, grilling on her parents’ patio—all of it may have overwhelmed her. She definitely seemed uncomfortable.”
“Jesus.” I scrub my hands over my face. “I thought it would be simpler on her if we came to her.”
“Pierce, I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to think long and hard before you answer me.” He squares his shoulders in a move that takes me back to being a kid. “Back in the day, I don’t remember Darby telling you no very often. You two were crazy in love, and she would do about anything in her power to take care of you. This woman you described sounds like she hasn’t changed. Do you think you’re taking advantage of her?”
A sharp pain throbs in my temple, and my blood singes. “Taking advantage of her? Because I want her to meet my children so I can ask her to marry me and begin the life we should have been living? You think that’s taking advantage of her?”
