Page 6 of A Family Affair: The Plan
His father didn’t trust him, his mother teared up when he walked into a room, and his sister was all too happy to point out the many drastic missteps he’d made in his life—even if she did it over the phone from two hundred miles away.We all saw it coming, and it started with her. You couldn’t see it, because why would you when you were so caught up in the glitz and glamour of that woman? She hypnotized you, brought you under her spell, and you never saw it coming. You’re as much to blame as she is, but at least you got out. The real question is, what now? Will you spend the rest of your life feeling sorry for yourself? Miserable and blaming the world life didn’t work out the way you thought it should? Or will you own up to the mistakes and find your own path… Your path, not someone else’s. I believe in you, Sam, and I want you to believe in yourself. Don’t settle for anything, especially a woman who doesn’t deserve you.
As if he were interested in a relationship. He doubted he’d ever trust anyone again. How could he when she might tell himanythingand he wouldn’t know if it was true or not? Better to remain alone than have his heart shredded, his logic spun around until he couldn’t tell where he was headed or if the woman was real or just another illusion.
He dragged a hand through his hair, determined not to make the same mistake twice, even if it meant spending the rest of his life alone. Correction, alone with a dog because hedidplan to get his own just as soon as Pete Finnegan finished the renovation on his house.
Sam pulled into the Heart Sent, hopped out of his truck, and made his way up Mimi’s sidewalk to the front door. He and Mimi had developed a routine since he moved in which included dinner together when he wasn’t working. She’d offered the dining room with all of the extras, but after too many elaborate meals with crystal, linens, China, and evening attire, hepreferred the coziness of the kitchen. They did enjoy the dining room for after-dinner drinks and Mimi’s latest sweet treat—brownies, strawberry rhubarb pie, chocolate chip cookies…
Mimi Pendergrass had lived in this town as long as he remembered and had known her share of tragedy. She’d lost a son and husband and spent years estranged from her daughter, but according to Sam’s mother, the woman never gave up her belief that life was special, and on any given day, the impossible could become possible. She believed in hope and finding goodness in everyone.You just have to look, Sam. It’s there if you’re open to it. He didn’t have the heart to tell her he’d lost his ability to hope. As for finding the goodness in others? Well, there might be shreds of it if one looked close enough, but there was also plenty that wasn’t good.
He moved toward the kitchen and the smell of spaghetti sauce and baked bread. Mimi created a menu every Saturday morning and after his first week there, she included him in the list making. As he wolfed down pancakes, eggs, and whatever else she put in front of him, they chatted about his favorite andleastfavorite dishes, his schedule, and of course, whether or not other guests would be included. That last one always made him edgy, because while he accepted Mimi’s need to welcome other guests in order to make a living, he didn’t like it. The dynamics changed when there was an “intruder” visiting. Meals were eaten in the dining room, conversations were boring and repetitive. Sometimes Mimi didn’t even join them but remained in the kitchen to prepare the next course or clean up. That was the worst because Sam didn’t want to chat with these strangers and he wasn’t interested in “sharing”. But every one of them asked why he was there, how long he planned to stay…and when they heard he was from Magdalena? That opened up a whole level of “tell me more” and “this could get interesting”.
The last guests left seven days ago—a young couple from Ohio celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary. So much damn happiness, bubbling over, seeping across the table to clutch Sam’s gut, twisting so hard he thought he might puke up the apple strudel he’d just eaten.
We left our two-year-old with her grandparents.The woman glanced at her husband, eyes bright, voice soft.This is the first time we’ve taken a trip since she was born. Six whole days to sleep in.
Eat without being interrupted, or?—
Getting food on our clothes.
We miss our little pumpkin, but…
A peck on the husband’s cheek.We’re reconnecting, remembering we’re a couple as well as parents and…
It was the husband’s turn to over share.We won’t forget that again.
Gush, gush, gush. When they started finishing each other’s sentences, Sam knew he had to find an escape.So, happy anniversary, he said, placing his napkin on the lace-covered table.Enjoy your stay.
They turned to him as though they’d just remembered he was sitting in the same room, an unwilling listener to their conversation. The woman’s gaze narrowed.Are you here alone?
Yup.He stood, pushed in the chair and was about to leave, when the wife spoke again, her words laced with sympathy.
I’m sorry you aren’t sharing it with someone.More sympathy and the tiniest hint of curiosity.Is there someone?
Sam gripped the back of the chair, forced a smile.I have a lot of ‘someones’, but I don’t think Mimi would appreciate this place being overrun by dogs and cats.A laugh and another smile, and he even managed a wink. Anything to get away from the happiness-and-ever-after duo.You can never go wrong withanimals. They won’t cheat, disappoint, or destroy your life. Enjoy the rest of your stay.
Mimi must have sensed they’d been a “bit much” for him because the night they left, she fixed him manicotti with mushrooms and spinach, one of his favorites, and cherry cobbler, another of his favorites. And that’s what she’d fixed him tonight, which made him suspicious. He’d just scooped cherry cobbler and ice cream onto his spoon when Mimi sprung the news.
“We’re going to have a guest checking in soon.”
Sam glanced up from the spoonful of cobbler and ice cream he’d been about to plop in his mouth. “A guest? When and how long?” He and Mimi had a routine and while the minimal occupancy affected her bank account, she confessed she enjoyed the alone time with him. He enjoyed it too and didn’t want an intruder, but this was a bed-and-breakfast and he wasn’t about to rent out the whole place to keep Mimi to himself.
“I’m not sure if it will be this evening or tomorrow. She said it depends on when she can get out of town.”
“She?” He dumped the spoonful of cobbler and ice cream into his mouth, savored the sweet and tangy taste mixed with the creaminess of vanilla ice cream. Nobody baked like Mimi, not even his mother… Not even the fancy restaurants in Chicago.
When Mimi nodded, her red ball earrings bounced about. “Her name’s Hope and she’ll be coming to learn about our town.” The way she eyed him, said there was more to the story, and he probably wasn’t going to like it.
“And?”
The blue gaze settled on him, her expression filled with what could only be called compassion. “She’ll be staying a month.”
Sam gripped his spoon, kept his expression even. Great. Thirty days of sharing this place with a stranger? Just great. He’d have to find a way to avoid at least some of the dinners,definitely the conversation, and the common area while this woman was here. Of course, he had to be careful not to show Mimi how much he didnotwant this person at the Heart Sent, but he should have known there was no way to hideanythingfrom Mimi Pendergrass.
“She sounded nice. Said she wants to learn all about the Heart Sent so her company can re-create it in another small town. And she wants to learn about Magdalena because apparently the company she works for is in the hotel business in cities and suburbs, but they’re looking to get into the small-town-bed-and-breakfast market.”
Sam scooped another spoonful of cobbler and ice cream, shrugged. “Sure, that’s what she says, but what’s the real reason she’s coming?” He stared at Mimi. “You know there’s always the story and then there’s the real story, right?”
Those blue eyes studied him. “Sam, I wish you could find the goodness in people and not think everyone has an ulterior motive. It’s not always about people trying to cheat one another. Sometimes they reallydohave good intentions. Can you try and see that? Maybe give Hope a chance?”
