Page 89 of Coming Home Country
“I’m not ready to leave yet, okay?” I clapped a hand over my mouth when those words came out sharper than intended.
Shame curled through me, and slowly, I lifted my head to view my mother’s reaction to being snapped at for her innocent question.
An apology was poised on my tongue, but it died there when I found nothing but love and understanding shining back at me when I met her eye. “Of course, that’s okay, honey. This is your home.”
I shifted on my feet. “There’s this pull . . .”
Mama laughed softly. “Pretty sure that pull is the man leaning against his truck outside.He’syour home.”
Home. It took until now to realize I’d always viewed that word as synonymous with Tucker.
When I left this place, I was running from him.
When I stayed away, it was to protect myself from seeing him.
Now that I was back in his arms, I never wanted to leave Rust Canyon.
Sensing I’d been struck silent, my mother spoke again. “You want my advice?” I nodded, so she continued, “Live every day like tomorrow’s not guaranteed.”
“Mama . . .” Tears sprang to my eyes, knowing her advice was borne from experience. She’d barely been my age when my daddy passed.
“No.” She gave a firm shake of her head. “Don’t you go feeling sorry for me. Even if I knew at the start how it was going to end, I would do it all again. Because I loved your father, and he gave me the greatest gift I would ever receive. My beautiful girl.”
I swiped at the tear I couldn’t stop from leaking out.
“I know it’s complicated, sweetheart. Love usually is. But at the end of the day, it’s worth fighting for.”
A nod of agreement was all I could manage with the lump formed in my throat.
“You and that boy out there?” She jerked her head toward the front door. “You’re being given something most people don’t get. A second chance. Now you need to decide if you’re going to let it pass you by or if you’re willing to make the most of it.”
There was no doubt that Tucker was all in. But the questions lurking at the back of my mind were enough to give me pause.
Could it really be this easy? For the two of us to pick up where we left off?
Were we moving too fast? Yes, we had a history, but we’d spent more time apart than we had as a couple.
What about my life in Chicago? Was I willing to walk away from a position I’d spent years working toward?
If I did—uprooted my life and came home to be with the man I loved—what would I do for work? There wasn’t much need for a corporate lawyer in Rust Canyon, and my pride wouldn’t allow Tucker to supportme financially—which I knew he’d insist upon—while I found my place in the community.
The uncertainty surrounding our relationship threatened to drag me under if I thought about it too hard.
So instead, I decided to take my mama’s advice. I had a few more days with Tucker before I had to leave—for how long, I wasn’t sure—so I was going to make the most of each and every one.
Mama must’ve seen the determination written on my face because the smile on hers grew. “That’s my girl. Live in the moment. I promise you’ll never regret it.”
How did she always know the right thing to say? I was beyond lucky that had God chosen her to be my mother.
She stepped forward to pull me into a hug so tight it forced the air from my lungs. It was as if she was making up for ten years of lost embraces.
Guilt flooded me, knowing how much pain it must have caused her when I stayed away for so long.
Voice thick, I promised, “I’ll be back.”
Mama stroked my hair. “I know, honey.” Pulling back, she thumbed away the last remaining tear that leaked from the corner of my eye. “Go enjoy your life. You only get one.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded before running to my bedroom to change, intent on making the most of my second chance.
