Page 64 of This Heart
Aurora
My mother handed me a lemonade and sat down next to me on the outdoor sofa.
“It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” she asked before taking a sip.
I nodded. “It is. Before you know it, fall will be here, and we’ll wish for these moments.”
“Fall was always your favorite time of year behind Christmas.”
Sipping the lemonade, I tried not to make a face.How many lemons did my mother squeeze into this? Holy cow.I’m going to have a permanent pucker.
Once I could speak, I set the drink down and smiled. “Decorating for Christmas is going to be a blast this year with the new exterior of the bookstore.”
“I have to say, I wasn’t on board with your decision to update the shop, but you did an amazing job. I love that you can see all of the books. People know it’s a bookstore now!”
I laughed softly. “Yeah, it’s been a pain in my ass, but it was worth it. I’ve been thinking about something. Brystol has a store cat, and people love it. What do you think about getting a store pet for the bookstore?”
“A store pet? Would they stay at the store all the time?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’ll bring it upstairs with me each night. Or maybe I can put in a cat door and it can make its way to and from when it wants.”
“That might be a good idea,” my mother stated. “The kids would love it at storytime.”
“I think it would be a nice addition to the store, and I’ve always wanted a cat.”
She frowned. “Is that a jab at your father and me?”
I laughed. “No! It’s just I’m grown up now and if I want a cat, well, I can get a cat!”
She rolled her eyes. “You have always wanted a cat since you were old enough to ask. A white cat. With blue eyes.”
“What are the chances a white cat will be at the shelter?”
With a huff, she replied, “Slim to none, darling. What about people with allergies?”
“They don’t have to pet the cat if they don’t want to.”
“Fair enough.”
Turning in my seat, I tucked my legs up under me. “So you think I should do it? I should go to the shelter and get a cat?”
Her smile was warm and comforting. “What is the real reason you want a cat?”
I exhaled. “Is it that obvious?”
“You showed up at our doorstep today, declaring you wanted to spend a few days with us. You’ve been avoiding phone calls all day, and your sister sent a warning text that you were heading our way to hide out.”
My head drew back. “I’m not hiding out! And Lou is a traitor.”
Reaching for my hand, my mother lightly squeezed it. “She isn’t a traitor. She loves you. And she knows you better than you know yourself.”
I screwed up my face. “She does not.”
“She told me she thinks you’ve fallen for Liam Turner.”
My eyes widened, and I blinked a few times. What would my mother think knowing I’ve fallen for a guy who just lost his wife? Would she think less of me? No, not my mother.
“I’ll take your silence as my answer.”
