Page 63 of Checking Mr. Wrong
“Well, this is a real miracle,” Fiona says, sobering a little. “If we can protect the park and whatever else can be found, it could mean so much for Maple Falls.”
“Okay, enough celebrating,” Fiona says, standing up and brushing her jeans off. “That person I spoke to said I can file the first form today, which will start the process. We need to get this to the right person and fast, so I’m going to hand deliver it. I don’t want anyone to be confused by what we’re doing.”
Neesha leans over and gives me a hug. “I need to get back to the store. I promised Emmy I’d close up tonight.”
“I’ll go with you,” Fiona announces, throwing her coat on as she winks my way. “I’ll go by the town hall so I can file this and find out what our next steps are.”
“With the weight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service behind you,” Neesha chimes in as she tugs on her coat, “I don’t think you’ll have many problems.”
“I don’t think so either,” I say as I hug her tight, then turn to Neesha and wrap her in a big embrace as well. I walk the pair to the door, closing it as they go and return to the living room full of satisfaction and pride.
“So, you and your friends figured out a way to help the town,” Mom croons as she slowly lowers herself onto the couch. “I knew you’d get the community spirit one day.”
“It’s like a bad cough—you end up getting it if you hang around it long enough,” I manage, trying to hide the smile that won’t quit. “It feels good to have found a small way to help.”
“Here I am running around the town, volunteering for everything to help raise money, and you come visit and find a way to protect huge chunks of our land at a time basically in your sleep,” she finishes and starts laughing. “That’s so you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve always been like this, Mabel. Quietly brilliant. You see a problem, figure it out, and tackle it head-on without making a big fuss. You’re so much like your father that way.” She pauses, her face softening as she looks at me. “I’ve neverbeen like that. I’m loud and stubborn, charging ahead like a bull in a china shop. I’ll run the committee, while starting a new one, then make a committee to discuss it. But you…you’re something else. You are not your mother’s daughter, that’s for sure.”
I sink into the armchair across from her, unsure where this is going but willing to ride it out. “Mom…”
She holds up a hand. “No, let me finish. I heard you the other day. I’ve been hard on you. Too hard. When you lost your job, I made it about me. I was embarrassed and hurt, but not because of what you did. Because of how it mademefeel. And that wasn’t fair to you.”
I blink at her, the words sinking in deeper than I expected.
“When your dad and I split, you were all I had left,” she continues, her voice catching. “You became my everything, Mabel. And I know I leaned too hard, tried to steer too much. I just…I wanted you to have a life where you wouldn’t need anyone or anything. I wanted you to be so independent, so perfect, that nothing could hurt you the way I was hurt. But in doing that, I didn’t see the amazing woman you already were.”
I stare at her, emotions swirling in my chest like a storm. “Mom…”
“Shush.” She shakes her head, tears pooling in her eyes. “You don’t need me telling you what to do or how to do it. You’ve proven that a hundred times over. You’re brilliant, independent, and you’re doing things your way—and it’s the right way. You don’t need my approval, but I want you to have it anyway. I am soproudof you, Mabel.”
I don’t realize I’m crying until a tear slips down my cheek. “You really mean that?”
She reaches for my hand, her grip warm and steady. “With all my heart. I just wish I’d told you sooner.”
It feels like years of tension lift all at once, leaving something lighter behind. Something brighter. I squeeze her hand, my voice shaky. “You did the best you could, Mom. And I get it now. Ireally do. You were protecting me in the only way you knew how.”
She sniffles, dabbing at her eyes. “I might still try to boss you around sometimes.”
“Wouldn’t be you if you didn’t,” I say with a watery laugh.
We sit there in the quiet, holding hands, the unspoken love finally finding its way to the surface. And for the first time in years, I feel seen—really, trulyseen—by my mother.
“You know…” She sniffs. “I bet if I’d been this vulnerable with you sooner, I might not have had the urge to join all the groups in this town.”
“Please!” I practically spit, laughing. “You will always be the first person to raise that hand in the air to help out. You can’t help it, it’s who you are.” I stand up and go sit beside her on the couch, wrapping my arms around her. “And I would not have it any other way.”
“I love you so much, sweet girl,” she says as she kisses the top of my head. “I am so lucky.”
Before I can respond, her phone buzzes on the coffee table. She picks it up, her face lighting up in that unmistakable way. “Oh, it’s Murray.”
I smile. “Take it, take it.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, and I know why. Because a day ago I would have scowled at the mere thought of her detouring at a time like this, but now…well, now, things are different.
“It’s your man,” I say teasingly. “Take it.”
