Page 76 of Hibiscus Heights

“You should take care of that. You’re one of the special ones.” Stafford winked, and the doors slid open.

Deb stepped out and turned toward her room.

Behind her, a voice called out. “Deb, I’d like a moment with you.”

Having signed an agreement, Kitty was her client now. Or maybe she would call off the job after speaking to her son. Slowly, Deb turned around.

21

“It wasn’t his fault,” Kitty said, her brow furrowed.

Deb needed to end this conversation. She gestured toward two original wingback chairs she’d refurbished and recovered in a creamy brocade that featured a small navy-colored anchor design.

“Please sit down.” Deb figured she might as well face whatever bad news Kitty had for her and get it over with.

“As I said, what happened here years ago wasn’t Grant’s fault.”

“He must have told you about my brothers.”

Kitty waved a hand. “No, not that. By then, the damage had already been inflicted. And sadly, I became a party to it. Jock was a force to contend with. I loved him, but he wasn’t perfect. None of us are.”

Deb pressed her fingers to her throbbing temple. “I’m not following this.”

Kitty continued, “I imagined you waiting in a pretty dress at the dance for Grant, probably heartbroken when he never arrived. He was, too, I assure you.”

Deb could hardly believe what Kitty was saying, but it was too little, far too late. She wouldn’t let on how devastated she’d been. Deb merely shrugged. “I haven’t thought about that in years.”

Kitty leveled a gaze at her, clearly seeing through her flimsy excuse. “Just after it happened, I called your mother and apologized. I doubt if she ever told you. Since the relationship was over, she thought it best to let you heal.”

“You spoke to my mother? She never told me.” Deb was shocked. She didn’t think they had secrets between them. “Why should I believe this?”

Kitty sighed. “Mothers naturally want to shield their children when they see them in pain.”

With some reluctance, Deb allowed that within the realm of possibilities.

“Grant left to pick up the boys and put them to bed, so we have time to talk.” Kitty leaned forward. “You see, once Jock made his decision, he packed our suitcases. I had been playing tennis and didn’t even have time to change. I knew nothing until I walked in the door. Neither did Grant.”

“I’m not sure why you’re telling me this.”

“Because Grant wanted to be with you at the dance. He looked forward to seeing you and was devastated when he couldn’t.”

“As I said, that was so long ago.” Deb couldn’t listen to much more. She began to stand.

Kitty grabbed Deb’s wrist with surprising strength. “Just a few moments more, please.”

“Does Grant know you’re here, and that you’re making excuses for him?”

“Not at all. He’s too proud to let me do that, but I’m old enough not to care what people think anymore. Even my children. This will only take a few minutes. Will you listen?”

Deb sank back into the chair, resigned to the older woman’s request. “Go on.”

“Jock thought Grant was too young to make such a commitment.”

When Deb started to protest, Kitty quelled her with a glance.

“We could see that the two of you were in love. The irony was that Jock and I were about the same age when we married. Obviously, he didn’t see it that way.”

Deb hadn’t heard this side of the story. Although she told herself it didn’t matter, she was intrigued. “What did you do?”

---