Page 24 of Imperfect Arrangement
“Life happened.Shithappened. And now I have no idea how to fix it.”
Nana’s playful expression fades, softening as she reaches out and cups my face in her hands. Her touch is warm and grounding. “Listen to me, sweet girl. There’s only one rule in this house, and that’s if something’s going wrong in your life, youshareit. No suffering alone when we can all suffer together.” Her smile is tender, but there’s a knowing glint in her eyes.
I can’t help but think of my mom’s marriage and how it left its mark on all of us. I’m sure we all wonder what could have been if Mom had had the courage to tell the truth to everyone much sooner.
“Got it?” she adds, a little lighter this time, giving my cheeks a gentle pat.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Joanne backed out. She’s no longer investing in the wedding estate.”
“Good. I always thought she was a total bitch anyway.” Nana huffs, crossing her arms like she just declared a universal truth.
“Nana!” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “That doesn’t matter. We don’t have tolikeeveryone we work with! She was going to invest, and now she’s gone.”
Nana waves a hand like I’m missing the point entirely. “Of course she was. It’s a killer business idea. Anyone with half a brain would jump on it, especially if they knewyouwere involved.”
I narrow my eyes, feeling a mix of flattery and confusion. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
She looks at me all serious now, like she’s laying down world-altering truth. “It means that while me and your mom were still trying to figure out which way was up after your gramps got sick, you were the one holding the B and B together. You rebuilt something that was falling apart, and now look around—it’s thriving, Willow. Guests rave about it, the staff actually like coming to work. Even I’m not mad when you make me listen to all the accounts stuff, when I’m well beyond postretirement age and should be enjoying my time in an exotic place. Maybe Cabo.”
Her playful smile and words soften that sting from the day, yet I still feel the weight of Joanne’s rejection pressing on my chest. “But Whispering Willow is small compared to what I’m trying to do with the wedding estate. What if I…don’t have talent for it?”
Nana narrows her eyes and leans back in her chair. “Your gramps used to say, ‘Talent is highly overrated. Hard work, consistency, and a little bit of stubbornness will beat talent any fucking day.’”
I can’t help but voice the question that’s been rattling around in my head ever since Gio arrived. “Do you ever wonder why Gramps left the land to his brother in the first will?”
Nana doesn’t miss a beat. “Because your gramps was a fool who thought no woman would ever put up with him long enough to build a life. So when his younger brother’s girlfriend gave him some papers to sign, he didn’t even bother to check what he was giving away.”
“Can you at least be respectful?” Mom cuts in, shooting Nana a disapproving look. “Dad’s not here to defend himself.”
Nana ignores her, looking up at the ceiling like she always does whenever she’s having one of herconversationswith Gramps. “I love him, and he knows it. Don’t you, honey?” She gives a little nod like she’s hearing some silent response from the other side.
Yep, that’s my nana—talking to the air like she’s got a direct line to Gramps.
“I’ll tell our Lolo exactly that,” she continues while Mom and I simply stare at each other, waiting for her to finish her session. She finally turns to me, face soft and serious. “He says there’s always been only one rightful owner of that land. And that’s our Willowbean.”
I try not to choke up at the sound of the nickname only Gramps ever called me. Nana might be full of her usual nonsense, but she’s damn good at making you believe it.
“And,” she adds, raising a finger like she’s not quite done, “he also says your business partner is out there. You just have to be patient. They’ll find you.”
How does she always manage to make her little conversations with Gramps feel way too real, and everyone gets caught up in her magic?
“Call your lawyer, Willow. That land is yours. Dad would have wanted you to have it,” Mom says with a knowing look.
“Damn right, he would,” Nana adds.
Their optimism is infectious, but I’m not naive. I know exactly who I’m up against.
“I will,” I sigh. “And I’m taking Captain Lick with me tonight.”
Mom and Nana exchange one of those knowing looks that make me want to crawl into a hole, but before I can escape, Mom reaches for my hand. “No one’s going to judge you if you decide to stay here for a few days, Willow. We all have those lonely moments, and?—”
“Mom.” I throw my hands up to hide the fact they’re shaking. “I’mnotlonely. He’s getting old, and I want to spend as much time with him as I can.”
Mom gives me a look that says I haven’t managed to convince her, but she nods. “If that’s what it is, fine. But if you ever feel like you need to come home?—”
“I’ll show up with a bag,” I say, cutting her off before she can get too sentimental.
This time I welcome the craziness when Nana pipes up with a wicked grin. “A little heads-up would be appreciated, though. So I can clear out the stash ofPlaygirlmagazines I’ve been hiding under your bed.”
