“I haven’t missed it much. I’ve enjoyed having more time to ride.”
“You always were obsessed by horses. It broke my heart seeing you so devastated when we moved away from the farm.”
“Dad had to move on.”
Milly covered her hand. “I know moving around was tough on you.”
“What about you?” Faith asked. “Did you want to move all the time?”
“To be honest, I’m happy if your father is happy. Home was never a building or a town for me, it is when I’m with Rob.”
Faith stared at her mother. She’d never considered it that way. All she’d seen was her father’s restless feet and her having to negotiate a new town and a new set of friends. “But Mum, you always gave in. You never got what you wanted.”
Milly frowned. “Is that what you think?”
Her sharp tone made Faith hesitate before she nodded.
“I didn’t realise you had such little respect for me.”
Faith started to speak, but her mother cut her off. “Just because I don’t yell and argue, doesn’t mean I don’t get my own way when it’s important to me. Didn’t I convince your father to take me out on the boat the other day?”
Faith shut her mouth. She had, without any real argument. And she’d defused Rob easily after she’d been injured on the boat.
Faith thought back through her childhood and remembered other times when her father had wanted one thing and they’d done another. Her eyes widened in realisation. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You were so subtle I didn’t realise what you were doing.” That grit and determination she’d seen in her mother when she’d done her exercises had been there all along. “Does Dad know?”
Her mother smiled. “I’m sure he does. He likes to be the protector and provider for the family, so it’s the little dance we do.”
With her mother the planner under it all.
“You’ll understand when you fall in love.” Her eyes twinkled. “How was your evening with Darcy Stokes?”
Heat flooded Faith’s cheeks at the change of subject. “I went out there to help them with a legal matter.”
“Your father was pleased you stayed overnight rather than drive home. He was worried about you driving in the dark.”
“Seemed like the sensible thing to do,” Faith agreed, knowing her mother wasn’t fooled in the slightest.
“If you don’t go back to the city, what will you do?” Thank goodness her mother returned to the original topic.
Faith hesitated. “I’m not sure.” She wasn’t ready to voice her ideas yet.
She still needed to consider her mother’s bombshell. It put everything into a new perspective. Now she had no doubt Milly would convince Rob to retire and buy a caravan. Which meant she had a lot to think about. She stood. “Will you be all right if I go for a walk?”
“Yes, darling. I’ll be fine.”
Faith left the house, inhaling the warm air. It was time to rethink her entire plan.
Chapter 11
By Sunday Darcy had let go of his rage for Sofia. He could be civil to her for a few hours for Lara’s sake, and then he’d say goodbye. This time he was on his turf and Lara was with him. He had control.
Lara had been up early and had insisted on baking scones ready for when her mother arrived. Then she’d cleaned her room without him even needing to ask.
“Will she want to go riding?” Lara asked. “Or should we go to the beach? Does she like dogs? Should I put Bennet inside?” She hopped from foot to foot.
Darcy placed his hands on her shoulders. “Relax, pumpkin. Remember, she used to live here. She knows all the places, but Josh and the boys might like to ride.”
Lara bit her lip. “I forgot.”
