Page 146 of Resting Beach Face
“Oh, you!”
“Delcan’s busy outside right now, but I’ll tell him you called.”
“Perfect! Thanks, lovey.”
I scribbled down a message then slipped out the back door to watch Declan out in the garden. He was kneeling in the dirt, looking relaxed and happy.
Finding out Nate had betrayed him had hurt, but knowing the vandalism and theft would end was a huge relief. Gray and the guys had gone to pick up the greenhouse supplies, and they were continuing construction.
Not a minute too soon either, because Gray had decided to go back to Riverton and his foster brothers. He was going to finish out his responsibilities in Swallow Cove, sell off most of his belongings, and drive home.
Home. It was a funny word that still caused a pang in my chest.
My phone rang, and there was my mother on Caller ID as if she knew I’d been thinking about her. I’d only seen her a few times since we left home—mostly in passing while we both worked at the resort.
I’d asked her for space, and she’d respected my request, but I couldn’t put her off forever.
I took the call. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, Cash. I, um, wanted to call and tell you that I drove your dad to rehab this morning.”
“Oh.” My heart fluttered, then sank. What was I even feeling? I should be happy Dad had gone to get help, but we’d been here before, hadn’t we? I’d told Mom he needed to go back and yet…it didn’t mean he’d get better this time.
It didn’t mean anything would change.
“I’m trying,” she said softly. “I know it might be too little too late for you. I’ve tried to do the right thing for your dad and you kids both, but I know I made mistakes.”
I swallowed. “This doesn’t mean we’re going to come back. I have a life here now. I’m managing the B&B, and I really can’t do that from somewhere else.”
“You’re an adult, Cash. Of course you don’t have to come home.”
What she didn’t say hit harder than what she did. “You want Kat to come back?”
“She needs her mom, especially at this age. I promise you that I’m going to put her first from now on.”
“And when Dad comes home from rehab?”
“He already knows that he has to make it work this time. You kids come first. I made that abundantly clear.”
Declan looked up from his gardening, catching my eye. His forehead furrowed, and he climbed to his feet, dusting the loose soil from his knees. Even from across the yard, he could tell something was wrong. I’d never had a connection like that with anyone else.
“I’ll talk to Kat,” I told my mom, hoping to wrap up the call.
“Thank you,” Mom blurted. “I’ve missed her so much. Missed both of you.”
“I won’t make her do anything,” I warned. “And even if she goes home, if Dad pulls more shit, she’s coming right back here. I’ve got a B&B, and there will always be a room for her.”
Maybe my name wasn’t on the deed, but Declan was letting me run the B&B. Hopefully, he wouldn’t mind me using that as leverage.
“I understand,” Mom said, sounding chastened. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s happy and safe in her own home. But I’m glad she has you. No matter what, I know Kat will be taken care of. You’ve looked out for her, looked out for both ofus, more than you ever should have had to, and I’m so sorry I let you shoulder that burden for so long.”
My eyes burned, and I blinked hard a few times as Declan reached me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He didn’t say anything, just held me, a solid support at my side. Someone I could always lean on, even if I hadn’t been able to lean on my parents.
Mom had done her best. She loved us. If she had any blame in this, it was that she was too loving, too forgiving to take a stand against Dad. But she was trying, so I tossed her a bone.
“We’ve missed you too. Maybe you can come out for dinner this week, and we can all discuss it.”
“Really?” Mom sounded surprised. “That sounds great.”
