“I wanted to talk to you about your biological father. Despite what he did, he wasn’t such a bad guy. I was crazy about him, actually. He had a winning personality, and he was a true leader amongst his peers. He was a star athlete in high school. He was handsome and intelligent. He planned to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. He—”
“Stop!” Presley quiets her with her hand. “You don’t have to sell me on him, Lucy. My adoptive father was a wonderful, loving man. I only regret that he died too young. But his memory lives on in my heart. I’m sorry for what this other man did to you, for what you went through because of it, but if it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be here.”
“That’s very true.” Lucy loops her arm through Presley’s, and they drift through the lounge to the entryway. “We can’t change the past, but we can do something about the future. I don’t know how to be a mother to a thirty-year-old woman.”
Presley places a hand on her arm. “Then don’t try to be. How about we go back to being friends and see where that leads us.”
Presley waits by the front door while Everett walks Mary to her room. When he returns, Everett asks, “Can we go to your apartment?”
Looking up at him, she says, “Don’t hurt me, Everett.”
Taking her by the shoulders, Everett presses his lips gently against hers. “I won’t, babe. I promise.”
Hand in hand, they walk as fast down Main Street as Presley’s heeled boots will allow. At her apartment, they make crazy love, first on Big Blue before moving to her queen-size bed. Their passion is tender one minute and bestial, like on their first night together, the next.
Around midnight, with Everett wearing his boxer shorts and Presley his blue button-down shirt, they go to the kitchen for a snack. Seated at her island, a pint of cookie dough ice cream between them, they talk about everything that has happened in their lives since he left for Atlanta. She tells him about Lucy and Rita, and he tells her about his decision to be a father to Carla’s baby.
“You made the right decision. You’ll be an excellent father.” Presley stabs at the ice cream with her spoon. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why did your mother stay with your father?”
He drags his tongue up the back of his spoon. “I don’t mind you asking, but I don’t know the answer. She loved him once. I think she felt sorry for him. And I guess she was scared of being on her own.”
“What about her family in Texas? You wrote about them in the song, and at dinner, she mentioned she may visit them for Christmas.”
“Mom grew up in a modest but respectable Catholic family. Her parents had their hearts set on her marrying a close friend of the family’s son. When she fell in love with poor white trash, they disowned her.”
“That’s a shame. I don’t understand why some parents feel the need to control their children like that.”
“Sadly, in her case, they were right.”
“Why aren’t you going with her to Texas? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled you’ll be here with me.”
“I’ve never met her family. It will be less awkward if she makes this first trip alone.”
“Right. I guess that makes sense.”
Presley sets her spoon on the counter and wipes her lips. “I’ve been thinking, why don’t you and Mary live in my mother’s house? We’re not closing until mid-January, which will give you plenty of time to find your own place.”
“I couldn’t,” he says, although Presley can tell her offer intrigues him.
“Why not? You’d be doing me a favor. I worry about the house being empty. You know, because of busted pipes and break-ins and stuff like that.”
Spoon in mouth, he stares up at the ceiling as he considers the idea. “I’d rather not waste money on a hotel room, and it would only be for a couple of weeks . . . if you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.” Presley puts the lid on the ice cream and returns the carton to the freezer. “If your mom ends up going to Texas, you’re welcome to stay with me when you come for Christmas.”
He stands to face her. “I would like that very much.”
“Understand that I’ll expect sexual favors in lieu of rent.”
In a deep husky voice, he says, “That’s the least I can do.”
Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulls him down and makes love to him on the kitchen floor. Being with Everett feels right. She will live in the moment and see where their relationship takes them. They will work together to show each other the way.
Did you enjoy this title? Please consider leaving an honest review on my Amazon Page.
Other Books in the Series
When one young woman summons the courage to take a chance on life, she discovers the career and man of her dreams
Merriment and mayhem collide for a chaotic holiday season at the Inn at Hope Springs Farms.
Also By Ashley Farley
Hope Springs Series
Dream Big, Stella!
Show Me the Way
Mistletoe and Wedding Bells
Stand Alone
Tangled in Ivy
Lies that Bind
Life on Loan
Only One Life
Home for Wounded Hearts
Nell and Lady
Sweet Tea Tuesdays
Saving Ben
Sweeney Sisters Series
Saturdays at Sweeney’s
Tangle of Strings
Boots and Bedlam
Lowcountry Stranger
Her Sister’s Shoes
Magnolia Series
Beyond the Garden
Magnolia Nights
Scottie’s Adventures
Breaking the Story
Merry Mary
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