Page 102 of Let Me Be the One
“Hello to you too, Glory,” Callie said with a laugh. It felt great to connect with her cousin again.
“The video really was perfect, but to me you seem down.”
“Maybe just introspective.” Callie sighed. “We haven’t talked in forever.”
“I know,”Glory said with dramatic exaggeration. “Texts just don’t cut it, but your parents have had me traveling almost nonstop. Miami, Denver, New York. I’ve either been running through the airport, sitting on a plane, or passing out in a hotel room. I’m worn out.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s why I called—but it’s so hard to explain.” Voice going lower, Glory said, “I know you don’t understand…”
Actually, she did. She wished she could help Glory to stand up for herself, but so far, her efforts had failed. All she could do, all she really wanted to do, was love her. So instead of pressing her, Callie asked, “Why all the travel?”
With relief in her tone, Glory explained, “Overall, they have me compiling a list of the best new restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs in each area so they can make new contacts.”
“They’ve expanded your job scope, then?” Knowing her parents’ financial woes, maybe they’d cut back on other employee positions. She hated that thought.
“I guess so, though your mother didn’t really explain her reasons. She just gave me an itinerary and told me what she expected.”
Figured. Her mother was an authoritative woman who rarely felt the need to explain herself. Gently, Callie suggested, “You could just say no.”
Instead of reacting to that, Glory said, “I’ve been in a bar nearly every night with plenty of interested guys making sure I feel appreciated. That part has been nice, but I am exhausted.” After a brief pause, she added,“I was thinking that when I get home from Boston, I won’t even tell them.” Another hesitation, and then Glory declared, “I’m going to repack, grab my car, and head your way. After I’m there,thenmaybe I’ll send in my final report.”
Callie had missed her so much, she couldn’t keep from saying softly, “I love that plan.”
With obvious relief, Glory laughed. “Good. I’m ready for a break and I can’t wait to see how you’re doing there. Watching the videos hasn’t been enough. Can you believe it, I’ve actually missed the goats? And I keep thinking about you and that super-fine neighbor of yours.”
“Tanner?”
“Yes, him. Unless you have something going on with the other one now. The bossy brother?”
Callie grinned. “Kam isn’t bossy, at least not compared to Tanner.” She wanted to tell Glory all about Tanner and the amazing night she’d spent with him, but it still felt too private—especially if it was a one-off. So instead, Callie told her about her parents visiting, and how they’d included Sutter in their trip.
“They didn’t!”
Appreciating her cousin’s outrage, Callie confirmed, “They did. And I’m afraid I lost it there at the end. I literally told my mother to get out.”
Gasping, Glory whispered, “Was she furious?”
“Honestly, she acted like it hadn’t happened. You know how Mom is. She ignores anything that conflicts with her plans.”
“That’s how she is with you,” Glory specified. “She would have annihilated me on the spot.”
Probably true, though mostly because Glory hadalways allowed her mother to be that bossy. “I’d stand up for you,” Callie promised. She always had.
Remembering all the ways Glory had pressed her to marry Sutter, Callie asked, “Did you know they’re struggling financially?” The silence stretched on so long, Callie thought the call had dropped. “Glory?”
“Sorry, I’m here.” She released a short sigh. “I found out that same day that I left your house with Sutter.”
“Heknows?”
“No,” Glory rushed to assure her. “After I got home, your mom and dad told me, but swore me to secrecy. They insisted that no one could know, and at the time, that included you.”
It stung that Glory had sided with her parents.
“All along, from the time you and Sutter got engaged, your mom talked about what a huge difference it would make to the company. She’d said it would advance all our prospects, on both sides of the marriage. I thought of it as a big deal, a way to grow, but I didn’t realize…”
Hurt by her cousin’s deception, Callie said, “You could have told me when you found out.”
