I flinched, not sure I wanted to ask what she meant by that. Was my mom talking about me and Sinclair having sex? “What do you mean?”
She sat on the edge of the twin bed and sighed. “I knew about you and her in high school.”
I turned to straighten the picture that didn’t need straightening. “What about it?”
“That you and her were an item. In love.”
I took a breath before turning to her. “How’d you know?”
“I used to do all the laundry, and your shirts always smelled like honeysuckle or some sweet flower. I suppose it could have been any girl, but I was sure it was her because I remembered the few times that she came over to ride when your father was away.”
I never invited Sinclair over when we dated. I didn’t think she’d ever been in my house until the day she showed up asking about Stark. She’d come riding with me and Ryder a couple of times before she and I were a thing, but she’d never been in the house.
“I always liked her. I thought she was good for you. I was sorry when it ended. When you left.”
I sighed in frustration that she’d bring that up. Then again, we’d never really talked in detail about that night.
I sat next to her on the bed. “I didn’t want to go. But I couldn’t stay.”
She nodded and looked down as if she was ashamed. “You felt betrayed by me and you were right.”
I blew out a breath. “I was angry you didn’t kick him out or leave him. You always chose him instead of yourself or me. You got mad at me for stopping him from hitting you.” I could feel anger rising and worked to hold it back. She’d had enough of men raging at her. I wasn’t like him.
“I didn’t want to choose. I just wanted to keep the peace. I loved your father and… Well, I suppose I needed him. I don’t have the skills to get a job. If I left with you, what would I do?” She was crying and I felt like shit because I hadn’t considered that she felt trapped. “When he left, and you weren’t here, I was so scared, Wyatt. But I tried and I learned a few things. I’m stronger than I thought. But I still couldn’t do it alone. I’m so glad you came home and you’re taking on the ranch and Stark. I hope you can forgive me.”
I put my arm around her. “I forgive you, Mom.”
“Really?” she sniffed.
“Yes. I’m sorry I left the way I did, but it was good for me. I learned things about myself too.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I’m stronger than I thought too.”
She smiled. “There was no doubt you were strong. And had a good heart.”
“I also learned that my life, at least from now on, is here in Salvation. I won’t run off again.”
She physically relaxed as if relieved. “Maybe this fake marriage will become real.”
From Mom’s lips to God’s ears, I thought. “Even if it doesn’t, I’ll stick this time. I promise.”
“Sinclair would be a fool to let you go, Wyatt.”
“I was the fool, Mom.”
“Well, you were young. Now you’re older and wiser. You’ll do good by her and her daughter.”
I hoped so. “You’re going to be okay in the grandparent apartment? You don’t have to move there. There’s plenty of room in the house.”
“I know, but this place is yours now.”
“Ours.”
“It’s for your family. You’ll have a better chance of convincing Sinclair to stay if she’s not tripping over her mother-in-law. Besides, I like the little apartment. It’s cozy. It also gets the first rays of sun in the morning.”
“If you change your mind, move back into the main part of the house. I mean it, Mom. You’re a part of this family and this effort to send Stark packing.”
She patted me on the cheek. “You’re a good son, Wyatt.”
16
Sinclair
I turned up the drive and approached the Jones house. There was a time when I thought I’d be the matriarch of this home one day. I’d imagined being in Wyatt’s arms at night, making babies and watching the children play in the yard during the day, while he worked the ranch. It had been a schoolgirl fantasy.
Today, as I stopped my car, I wondered, for the umpteenth time, what I was doing. This couldn’t be a good idea. I understood the pros of what Wyatt and I were planning. When I told my parents about this crazy idea, they were surprised, but even they saw the merits.
“We’re a tight-knit community, and we all need to support each other. I suppose as childhood friends, it makes sense that you and Wyatt would marry,” my mother said. “Just be sure, Sinclair. It’s a big favor you’d be doing for him.”
“And the other farmers. They’d have an advocate in the mayor’s office. Something they don’t feel they have now.”
“Just don’t let him take advantage of you,” my father said. I looked out the window where Alyssa was playing outside and thought, if they only knew.
The other challenge of this ridiculous scheme was the fact that despite my attempts to remain neutral, I was hopelessly attracted to Wyatt and he seemed to feel the same about me. Every time I saw him, my hormones went on alert. All my girly bits came alive and it was all I could do not to jump him.
But attraction wasn’t love, and that made this plan very dangerous, not just to me and my heart, but to Alyssa as well. I’d have to walk a tightrope to keep her from being hurt.
I parked my car and pulled my suitcase from the back seat. I had a couple of other boxes, mostly of books and a few things to make Alyssa feel at home. Since this was temporary, I didn’t feel the need to bring more than a few
