“We’ll find another one.”
“Well, in the meantime I need to move out and learn to support myself.”
“I can help money-wise. I can loan you money.Giveyou money. Anything. This art thing of mine….” She shrugged, unsure of what to say. “It’s kind of worked out for me and I…I kind of invested in Livy’s cafe and the expansion at Parker’s.”
“You did?”Her mother cocked her head.“I didn’t know. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Looks like our family is good at keeping secrets.”She quirked an eyebrow up and grinned. “Aren’t we?”
“Yes, I guess we are. And thanks for your offer of help, but no, it’s time I learned to make it on my own. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone ever again.”A determined look was etched on her mother’s face.
A strong look. Stronger than she’d ever seen before. Where was this look for all those years when her father had harangued her mother endlessly? Well, she was glad to see the look there now. Her mother would need to be strong to get through this.
“You could live with me if you want.”
“Oh, Heather, I appreciate the offer, but your condo is small and it only has the one bedroom. I’ll live with Donna until I can save up some money and find a place of my own. She has that whole big old house.”
“Father’s a snake.”Heather’s face flushed with the heat of anger, furious that he’d do this to her mother, his wife, after all these years.
“Well, be that what it is, I still need to move out.”
“Then let me help you pack and I’ll take a load of things over to Aunt Donna’s for you.”
Her mother looked at her gratefully.“I’ll accept that help. Between trying to pack up what I need and finishing up the last-minute details for the gala, I admit to being overwhelmed.”
“I’m here to help. Anything you need.”And at this very strange time in life, she felt closer to her mother than she had in years.
Chapter 22
Donna looked up and down the street after she touched the plaque by the front door of Parker’s and locked up the store. But there was no sign of Barry in either direction. She’d thought that maybe he’d stop by and walk home with her. Vague disappointment seeped through her, but that was silly. She was perfectly capable of walking home alone. And she had a lot to do. She’d cleaned out the room for Evelyn but hadn’t finished dealing with all the boxes lined up in her laundry room and spilling into the kitchen.
She glanced at her phone when it pinged with a text from Heather. She and Evelyn were on their way over with a load of Evelyn’s belongings. Good thing she got the room cleared out.
She hurried home, dropped her purse on the table by the door, and kicked off her shoes. She wondered if they were going to stay long because Barry had mentioned coming over tonight for a drink…
She padded barefoot into the kitchen, thinking about making a quick sandwich for her dinner.
“Aunt Donna?”Heather’s voice rang out as she entered the house.
So much for that sandwich. She turned to go help them. Heather and Evelyn stood inside the doorway with their arms laden with boxes.“Just take them up to the guest room. The one you stayed in when we were girls. I’ll go out to your car and grab some things and help bring them in.”
The three of them made numerous trips outside and then upstairs until both Evelyn and Heather’s cars were empty. Afterward, Donna poured them all glasses of tea. Heather sank onto a stool by the island in the kitchen.“I’m beat. We must have packed a million boxes today.”
“Heather helped me take some boxes to storage, too,”Evelyn said as she slipped onto the stool next to Heather.“She’s been a big help.”
And look at that. Heather and Evelyn getting along. This was an improvement.“Good. I’m glad you had help. When do you plan to move in here?”
“A few more days. After the gala, if that’s okay.”
“Anytime is fine with me.”Donna leaned against the counter, tired from the long day at work and the multiple trips up and down the stairs with Evelyn’s things. She heard a knock at the door and glanced at her watch. It was probably Barry. She’d have to send him away. Evelyn needed her now.
“Want me to get that?”Heather started to climb off her stool.
“No, I’ve got it.”Evelyn went to answer the front door. Barry stood there with a bottle of red wine and a warm smile.
“Oh, Barry. I’m sorry. I’m going to have to cancel.”
She couldn’t miss the disappointed look that flashed through his eyes, though he quickly covered it with another smile.
