Page 22 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
What would it be like to live somewhere no one knew or cared who you were? Tom reminded himself he’d been there, done that and hated it. From the little he’d picked up it was how Fee had spentmost of her life so no wonder she was prickly as a cactus if anyone got too close. He hadn’t seen her this morning and guessed the incredible kiss they’d shared freaked her out. Maybe if she knew it’d done the same to him that might help.
‘Look, I’m sorry. Alright?’
‘I know you are.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘When’re you going to quit being a hermit?’
Tom pulled away. ‘Iwish y’all would stay out of my private life. Why’s it so hard for everyone to accept I don’t intend replacing my wife? I was a terrible husband in more ways than I care to admit and because of that Gina’s dead. I’ve got a decent life now. Much better than most. I’m good.’
‘You don’t get it, do you?’ His mother shook her head. ‘No one’s asking you to forget Gina but it doesn’t mean you’recondemned to be lonely the rest of your life. It’s time you forgave yourself. We’re all human. We make mistakes.’ Deep hurt was etched into every line of her face.
‘Mom. I’ve nothing left to love anyone else with.’
‘Oh, Tom, you’re wrong. There’s a ton of kindness in you and it wouldn’t take much to turn it into love with the right woman. It might be a different kind of lovingbut no worse for that. I wish you’d give it a chance.’
He’d never been good at lying to his mother but if he didn’t pull it off now she’d hound him forever. ‘I’ll think about it, okay? But you’ve got to tell the rest of them to back off. I don’t tell them how to run their lives. Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to meet someone special who’ll change my mind.’ Tom pushed away the vividimage of Fee, so sweet and responsive in his arms last night.
‘You promise?’
Tom nodded. ‘And you’ll do whatIasked?’
‘I will. I’ll make it clear.’
That’s all it would take because everyone paid attention to his mother. Now he’d be left alone to live on his own terms.
‘I’d better be going, son.’
‘I’ll pop down at lunchtime.’
She stood upand gathered her coat and purse. ‘You’d better see your daddy on his own first.’
‘I’ll stop by the office.’ Tom pushed his chair back and joined her to walk back out to the porch.
‘Look after yourself.’ She pulled him into a tight hug before letting go and fixing him with her fiercest stare. ‘Just so we’re clear if I don’t hear about an improvement in your non-existent social lifein the next couple of monthsI’llbreakmypromise too.’
He should have known better than to think he could pull one over on his mother.
‘I don’t want to hear you’ve slept with any tramp either.’
Tom was struck dumb.
‘You might try being friendly to the pretty girl your Daddy told me about – the photographer lady. She sounds perfect to practice your rusty charmson.’
Before he could protest she hopped into her car and with a blast of her horn left him alone to stew.
