Page 86 of Sweet Passions at Bayside
“As for my son, he’s capable of being a much greater man than he’s achieved, and your involvement with him could hold him back.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”So much for kindness.“Dean is twice the man you’ll ever be.”
He drew his shoulders back, and she swore he grew several inches taller right before her eyes. “I’m a leader in the field of pediatric neurosurgery. The head of three boards of directors. I have been invited to speak all over the world about—”
“Do you even hear yourself?” Her words tumbled out fast and accusatory. “You’re spouting all those things off as if they speak to who you are. You’re so messed up you don’t even see the difference, and here I felt sorry for you.”
He chuckled. “Young lady, I of all people do not need your pity.”
“You’re wrong,” she said, pointing up at him. “You need it more than anyone I know, even if you’re not deserving of it. You achieved those things you mentioned at the expense of your family. What kind of man does that? What kind of man leaves his adoring wife alone so he can hobnob with the rich? What kind of man doesn’t do everything within his power to make amends with his sons he left when they were teenagers? And I’m not talking about Dean.” She had verbal diarrhea, and there was no hope of stopping it despite his clenching jaw and the steam pouring out his ears. “What kind of man speaks to his own mother the way you do? You should be ashamed of yourself. You act like a spoiled child who expects the world—and even worse, yourfamily—to kowtow to him. And you don’t care about your sons’ happiness.”
“What do you know about parenting?” he seethed in a voice so dead calm it sent her stepping backward.
“Douglas Masters, you hush your mouth right this second.”
They both turned at the sound of Rose’s voice. She stood in the bedroom doorway wearing a pair of black spandex pants and a shirt that had YOGAGRANNYemblazoned across her chest. Emery’s heart swelled and ached at once. She’d made such progress, andthiswas what she was forced to endure?
“Mother, sit down.” He rushed to her side, towering over Rose, and tried to usher her toward the couch. “You’ll hurt yourself.”
She swatted at his hands. “Douglas!”
He stilled, breathing hard.
“Do not touch me.” Rose smoothed a shaky hand down her chest. “I have sat by and watched you treat other people badly for a very long time. I am ashamed of that, but I’m more ashamed of the fact that despite years of love, years of me teaching you right from wrong and supporting your endeavors, you turned out to be just like your father.”
“He was a great man,” he said adamantly.
“He was a pillar of strength,” Rose agreed. “A great pediatric neurosurgeon, but he wasnota greatman.” She walked over to Emery, and his jaw hung open with disbelief at the sight of her walking, unaided, standing straighter than she had in who knew how long.
“Emery Andrews did what you could not. She helped me. She listened to me when I told her that I knew I’d be able to regain my mobility, and shebelievedin me. She is a greatwoman. You could learn a thing or two from her.”
“Mother—”
Rose silenced him with her palm and a glare so powerful Emery held her breath. “You are my son, but you are not omnipotent. Please do not do to your son what your father has done to you.”
His angry gaze moved between Emery and Rose, and Emery swore she saw sorrow beneath the anger flaming in his eyes. But that might have been wishful thinking. She was about ready to pass out. He straightened his spine once again, lifted his chin, and stormed out the door without a word.
The air rushed from Emery’s lungs, and sobs followed. She collapsed onto the couch. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “Oh, Rose, I’m so sorry.”
Rose sank down to the couch beside her and gently wrapped Emery in her arms. “Come to Grandma Rosie.”
“I’m sorry.” Emery cried on her shoulder, soaking in her comfort and feeling guilty at the same time.
“I’m not. He needed a good wallop in the patootie. You were the only one strong enough to give it to him.”
“I’ve ruined everything. He’ll never make up with Dean as long as I’m in his life.”
Rose held her tighter. “I’m his mother, and this hurts me to say, but he doesn’t matter, sweetheart. You and my grandson are the only two people in your relationship that matter. Don’t you let his bitterness spoil your beauty.”
Unable to speak past the lump in her throat, Emery stayed with Rose long after she finally stopped crying. Rose comforted her, and they talked about the changes Dean’s father had gone through and how she believed he’d fought them for as long as was humanly possible. They talked about Emery’s family and how she hadn’t missed them as much as she’d thought she might until recently. But she knew being with Dean was where she belonged. They talked until Emery built up the courage to go home and tell Dean what had happened.
As she drove down Dean’s street, she thought of the first day she’d arrived at the Cape and how her heart had leapt at the sight of Dean standing in the yard looking at her with what she knew now had been love in his eyes. She’d been so blind. But her eyes were wide open now. She had to get to him before his father made her seem out of her mind—
Oh, no.
She parked beside the shiny black Lexus, panting as if she’d just run a marathon.No, no, no!She might have lost her mind back there, but she’d meant every word she’d said, and she wasn’t going to let him twist it into something more horrible than it was and try to poison Dean toward her.
She threw her car door open, charged up the front steps, and flew through the front door, hoping she could save their relationship. Three men pushed to their feet.
