Page 22 of Dance in the Light
“But she broke your heart when she left town. She’ll do it again. I saw the look in her eyes when I told her to decide and either stay or go. What if she got too close to Rose, and then leaves someday? How do we explain that to our daughter?”
“What?” My jaw clenched. I could totally see how this entire situation would have set Cindy off.
“I’m only trying to protect our daughter.”
Things were crystal clear now. “No. You know who this is about? You, not Rose, becauseyoudon’t want another woman loving our child.”
Her breath caught, and she knew I was right.
“Look, Trudy, I trust you that if you ever got involved with someone new, you’d make sure they were decent and kind and good before introducing them to Rose. So you need to trust me, and stop worrying because Cindy would never try to take your place as Rose’s mother. She only wants the best for Rose, too.”
“Fine, if you want Cindy, then don’t even think you can come back to me to soothe your wounded heart this time, because I won’t be here for you when she leaves. No. I’m done crying over you.” She reached for Rose, but our daughter turned her head and held on tighter to me.
“Mama, no.”
Trudy’s angry eyes simmered down to worry and her shoulders dropped as her child wouldn’t go to her. We wouldn’t get anywhere like this, standing in her doorway, and I had to find Cindy and save whatever might be left of us at this point. For Rose’s sake, I took in a deep breath.
“Listen. Regardless of Cindy, if she stays or goes, you and I will lead separate lives. But for the sake of Rose, I need you to agree to put aside any immature thoughts, and let’s respect one another enough to keep things amicable. I want nothing but the best for you, Trudy, and I can only hope you truly want that for me as well.”
I kissed the top of Rose’s forehead. “Dada has to go for now, rosebud. I’ll see you tomorrow. Go to mama like a good girl.”
I could have gone around and around with Trudy until I was blue in the face. It wouldn’t have made a difference. I said my peace, and she’d need to come to terms with things in her own way.
After leaving them, I was hell-bent on getting to Cindy as fast as possible, despite many doubts riddling through me.
Would Trudy calm down and co-parent nicely with me, or would she fight me for Rose, putting our daughter up for collateral in the middle of this situation?
Was my heart and love enough to keep Cindy here once and for all?
Or was this town too small for her or her vow to her mother too strong or the ties to New York still too fresh?
Would she’d leave me behind again?
I floored Bessie and prayed for a second chance.
SIXTEEN
SECOND CHANCES
RYAN
I pulled into the Hale’s driveway, relieved to see her car was still here.
“Cindy?” I didn’t bother knocking. Rushing from room to room, I searched, even in the basement, just in case. But she wasn’t here. At least the suitcase on her bed stood open and unpacked yet, a small sign of hope.
I paced. I knew Cindy well. Where would she go at a time like this when she was distraught?
All the Hale women typically talked to their mother—yes, that’s it.
I ran back out to Bessie and drove to the pond. My heart raced pulling up about ten yards away from Mrs. Hale’s grave site.
With my phone battery lighting the path, I came upon her kneeling there, her eyes red from crying.
“Ryan?” She held her hands up to shield from my light.
“Thank God.” I knelt beside her, drawing her into my arms, not wasting any time. “Let me tell you something, Cynthia Hale.You’re no damn coward. Think about it. Your mother told you to go off to New York City at eighteen? You were born and raised in this small town, had never been to a big city in your whole life, and yet you did it. That takes fucking courage, while I’m the coward who stayed behind. You are not a coward.”
She threw her arms around me and sobbed. Was this a good sign or not?
