Page 7 of A Family Affair: The Ring
He’d gotten very good at ignoring her veiled sarcasm because when Delaney attached a smile and lowered her voice to a whisper level, eyes bright like she might tear up any second, how could he push her away?He couldn’t and the fact that he wasn’t inching toward offering her “forever” even though they’d been together almost a year made him feel guilty.She deserved someone who could go all-in, commit and give her the time and effort she deserved.He’d tried to break it off once, sharing all the reasons she could do better than him, but Delaney disagreed.I only want you, Will.I’ll wait.If there’s hope, I’ll wait.
Was there hope?
He couldn’t say...
But his mother certainly had thoughts on the matter of Will and Delaney Hall.
The woman wanted a daughter-in-law so she could have grandchildren.Please.I’m not getting any younger.You’re thirty years old, Will.I want to hold my grandbaby.Your sister certainly isn’t going to comply, so it must be you.
It was always about his mother.She was the reason he’d stayed in Magdalena, though that had never been his plan.But how could he desert her when he was responsible for destroying her world?Maybe he should have just closed his eyes and kept his mouth shut like everyone else had, including the woman who’d crushed his heart.Fool that he’d been, he’d believed honesty and telling the truth would always win over lies and subterfuge.
Apparently, he was the only one who’d felt that way.Sheand her family chose to pretend rather than admit the truth.There’d been no hope for a solid conversation or support that included comments likeI believe you and I believe what you’re saying.Why would you lie?
Right, why would he lie?He wouldn’t butshehadn’t cared about that.No, all she’d wanted was for him to calm down, and rethink what he thought he saw.What he thought he saw?There’d been real desperation in her voice when she begged him to let it go.
Of course, he couldn’t do that and once he opened his mouth, it was over even if he didn’t realize it.The visit to her father got him banned from the house with a string of threats and a warning tostay away from my daughter.Will’s life fell apart that Christmas, leaving him with a father who cursed him, a mother who could not get out of bed, and a fiancée who returned his ring a few days after she had vowed to love him forever.
Gone were the dreams and the plans.No more hope, no journey together.His ex-fiancée avoided him the final semester of college, no doubt erasing him as if he’d never existed.The Russells sold their house and moved to a small town outside of Pittsburgh, leaving their past behind.
They also left Mr.Russell’s mother behind.Word had it Grandma Esther had begged them to stay.Good luck with that request.The residents of Magdalena did not understand what had happened to the Russell family, or why they’d left.But Will knew.Oh, yes, he knew the truth, even if everyone else chose to deny it.
He’d been working on recommendations for this afternoon’s meeting with his newest client—a pottery maker from Renova—when his mother knocked on his office door, poked her head in with a soft “I hope I’m not interrupting.”The bright smile followed as she entered his office with a two-handled grocery bag.“I brought you lunch and a few goodies.”She placed the bag on the chair opposite his desk and removed an item wrapped in foil.“Banana bread with walnuts.Your favorite.”
True, but she’d made two loaves of that same “favorite” a week ago,one for enjoying nowand one for the freezer.His mother hadn’t come to simply deliver lunch and banana bread.Something was on her mind and no doubt she planned to tell him, just as she’d been doing since he was old enough to understand the meaning ofWe need to talka.k.a.You need to listen to what I’m about to tell you.“I can’t really break for lunch right now, Mom.”He pointed to the files in front of him.“I’ve got to finish preparing for a 2 o’clock meeting.”
A tiny frown pulled across her lips as disappointment reached her eyes, made her brows furrow.“I see.You don’t have time and you’re too busy.Of course, how silly of me to think you might consider this awelcomesurprise.”
And there it was once again—his mother smothering him with her unhappiness and her I-need-you-to-make-my-world-happy comments.“I appreciate everything you do.”He pushed back his chair, stood and made his way to the other side of the desk where he hugged her and gave her a peck on the cheek.“I really am busy.”
His mother ignored his comment about preparing for a meeting and sank into a chair next to the goodie bag.“I worry you’re not eating.You look thin.I hear you’re not accepting Delaney’s dinner invitations either.”
Delaney Hall was offering a lot more than a meal and what she wanted in return washim, all of him, including his name.He’d tried to tell her he wasn’t ready, but she didn’t want to hear those words.I’ll wait as long as you want.I’m not going anywhere, and I hope you aren’t either.One day soon, they’d have to talk about expectations, the future or lack thereof, and he’d have to stop worrying about hurting her feelings and be honest.I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for what you want.
Before he could tell his mother once again that she needed her own life and had to stop looking at his as though it were a soap opera or a romance novel, she commented, “I’d like to have you and Delaney for dinner.How about this Sunday?I’ll roast a chicken, make mashed potatoes, green beans...Strawberry shortcake with biscuits?”
Marjorie Callahan was determined to get grandchildren and she’d selected their mother.The only problem was she refused to acknowledge that Will might not agree with her choice.That wasn’t exactly accurate.The truth was he didn’t know if he could commit toanyonelike that again.He’d been all-in once and everyone after that made him question his desire and ability to go through it again.He always found a problem with the prospective choices.One wanted to see him every single night...another expected constant entertainment...yet another insisted on “romantic” getaways that included chalets, massages, and personal chefs.
Delaney had no major requirements, other than a ring.And him.He’d rather agree to the chalet and the personal chef.She vowed she didn’t want anything but him.Right, he’d heard it all before.The “I will love you forever” and “All I need is you.”Confessions of love and commitment that shifted to betrayal and heartache.
Melanie had scarred him, probably ruined him from ever opening up again.Delaney was comfortable, and she wasn’t cruel or vindictive.No, she was even tempered and agreeable—maybe too agreeable.
“William?Sunday, dinner?5:00 p.m.?”
His mother called him William when she wanted his attention, and when she wanted him to know she was not about to take “no” for an answer.“Okay, let me get my work done and I’ll see you on Sunday.”
She offered a stingy smile, nodded.If the woman smiled once in a while, got rid of the perpetual frown, and did not look for a rain cloud in every conversation, more people would want to spend time with her…seek out her company...call her a friend.Will loved her, but there was no pretending she didn’t possess a demanding nature and an inability to take responsibility for her own happiness.
She wasn’t the first person whose husband walked out on her.It happened.Life wasn’t always a big party, but you had to deal with it and move on.Or at least try to...
But she couldn’t, and she’d even tried to convince her husband to stay—begged him, actually—as he packed a duffel bag, slung it over his shoulder, and told her they were done.When he pulled out of the driveway that last time in his green Ford 150, she’d grown hysterical and didn’t leave her room for three days.
Marjorie Callahan refused to accept that some people weren’t meant to be together, especially when a cheating partner was involved.I love him.I need him.I can’t live without him.
But apparently,hecould live withouther.
Some said Joe Callahan drove out West and took a job working on a ranch.Others said he headed South and signed on with a fishing crew.And then there were others who said he’d settled in Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburgh, where he worked in a bar, drank too much, and stumbled from one day to the next.Nobody knew for sure, and nobody but his ex-wife ever inquired.Maybe we should hire an investigator.Just to be sure.What do you think?Shouldn’t we find out?Her voice would dip, turn sad and mournful.Don’t you want to know?
No, Will did not want to know.
