“So maybe you’ll come after all? If he’s better?”
Hilary wondered if she’d lost the connection since Jorie didn’t say anything. But then she heard Hattie in the background.
“I think I’d better stay here.”
Hilary pressed her lips together. Jorie wasn’t coming. What else was there to say?
“Hilary?”
She closed her eyes. “What?”
“I know you’re disappointed.”
“Yeah.”
“Just think of Will,” Jorie said after a moment. Her voice was barely above a whisper now. “He dreamed about expanding the farm for so long.”
Hilary's breath came out in a near gasp. She sat upright. Jorie had a way of bringing up Will in her most vulnerable times.
“I know that. I was married to him, remember?” Anger surged in her.
“Of course. It’s just—”
“Not now please.”
“Hilary, honey, I’m sorry. You need to push forward, as hard as it is. I know he’s cheering for you.”
“I have to go.”
“Wait, Hilary.”
Hilary closed her eyes, focusing on keeping the ire from her voice. “What?”
“I really am sorry I can’t be there. It doesn’t make sense to buy another ticket. I’ve already lost the money on this one. And Dad’s going to need rest for a week at least. There’s work to be done here.”
“I know.” But that wasn’t the reason she didn’t feel like talking anymore. First, Cal’s health kept her from coming. Now, the ticket price was her reason for missing the conference. If Jorie stuck withoneexcuse for missing the conference, it might have been more credible.
Jorie sighed. “I wish there was another solution.”
More beats of silence passed. Jorie needed to stay on the farm, not come to a conference across the country. Maybe she didn’t need Jorie here after all, especially since she’d just used Hilary’s late husband to make a point.
“Do what you think is best.”
Hilary hung up while Jorie started to say something else. She couldn’t listen anymore. The breaths came out in little gasps while she sat on the edge of the bed, her phone ringing again as Jorie called back. Hilary silenced the phone. She focused on the nubby carpet beneath her feet, the scent of lavender coming from somewhere in the room, and the sound of rushing water when she turned on the faucet in the adjoining bathroom. The water on her face was shockingly cold, yet it soothed her. She stood over the sink for a few minutes, letting the water cascade through her hands. When she looked into the ornate oval mirror above the sink, Hilary scowled at her reflection. An inky trail of mascara rode down her cheek.
Yes, Will would have wanted her to embrace this week. She didn’t need Jorie telling her that. But as blunt as Jorie could be sometimes, Hilary knew she meant well. This was something she’d have to get through, like the other challenges she’d faced since two Aprils ago. But she hadn’t counted on doing it alone this time.
Chapter Four
Dane leaned back in his chair, hooking his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes and let gravity work the kinks out of his shoulders. Too much sitting today. He wasn’t used to it.
The conference welcome party was in full swing. The ring of clinking glasses from the bar carried across the inside of the enormous tent erected on the lawn of Blueberry Point Lodge. Tables were set for dozens of conference attendees as well as the presenters who’d come for the week. Outside, the sky still held a rosy glow, but it was dark enough now for the string lights hanging from the tent poles to illuminate faces and the amazing dinner spread on two long tables.
“What did you think of the tour?”
It was Darcy. She’d snuck up behind him to plant her hands on his shoulders, giving him a much-too-short massage, before plunking herself into the empty seat beside him. Dane hadn’t had the chance to talk with her since he flew in late last night.
“Fun, interesting. Sean’s a decent narrator. Between the backwoods humor and his knowledge of Great Lakes shipwrecks, you’ll be booking tours and rooms for as long as you can stand it.” He unclasped his hands and set them in his lap. “You’ve really got a nice gig going on here.”
