Page 73 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
“I’ll pick up some wine for you.”
She patted his cheek and then returned to the sink. “You’re a good boy. How’s things with you and Leah?”
“Okay. We’re adults and can live in the same town.”
Why was everyone in his family obsessed with him and Leah? It was driving him crazy.
“Good, because what happened was a long time ago now, it’s time to move on,” she added.
He nodded. “It was, but I don’t think we’ll be friends anytime soon, though.” He hoped that stopped the questions.
“That’s a shame because she’s a lovely girl and you can never have enough friends, and unlike you, she doesn’t have a large family to watch over her and Hudson. It breaks my heart when I think of what they’ve both suffered losing that sweet Cassie.”
“Haven’t we already discussed this to death, Mom?” Some of his frustration leaked into his voice.
“We might have discussed it, but you’re not exactly forthcoming, Dan.”
“I’m thinking of buying a rental property, Mom,” he said, desperate now for a change in conversation. “What do you think?”
“Really?” She looked at him, and he nodded. “Well, I think that’s a wonderful idea. When you’re ready, you can move into it.”
“What?”
“Son, you shouldn’t still be living at home with your mom.”
Shock held him silent for a few seconds. “But I thought you wanted me to stay?”
She smiled. “Of course I love having you here, but it’s time, Dan. You need a place of your own for when you find that special someone. She won’t want to live here, after all.”
“You can’t be serious?” He stared at her like he’d never seen her before.
“About you meeting someone and her not wanting to live with your mother?”
He nodded.
“Deadly. Now, you eat up. You don’t want to be late for your shift.”
He ate, processing what she’d said, surprised at how wrong he’d got things. He’d thought she’d be sad at the thought of him leaving… which he was not doing yet. Instead she seemed relieved.
“Why didn’t you talk to me like this before, Mom?” he said when he’d cleaned his plate.
“The time wasn’t right. It is now.” She then patted his cheek and headed out the back door to her garden, leaving him reeling.
Surely, she didn’t mean the time was right because of Leah. “No,” he told himself. “Definitely not.”
Dan shelved the odd conversation he’d just had with his mom and drove to the station.
Inside, Sybil—reliable as ever at the front desk—raised an eyebrow.
“Morning, Dan.”
“Morning, Sybil. The sheriff in?”
“He is,” Sybil said. “I’m just making coffee. You want one?”
“Sounds good, thanks.”
Dan knocked on his uncle’s door and stepped inside.
