Page 94 of This Heart
“Have you heard from Mom?”
He nodded, drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I have. She said she is enjoying her time in Italy.”
I didn’t want to admit how that felt like a knife in my chest, but that was my mother for you. She didn’t care about anyone but herself. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
He waved off my concern. “Don’t be. Honestly, it’s for the best, Liam. Your mother has this mean streak in her that I don’t think will ever go away. She is bitter that Hope lied to you about Winnie, and she can’t move past it. She should stay away.”
“She can’t even accept Winnie as my daughter, Dad. How can she be so cruel?”
“I’m not sure, son. The good news is you don’t need her in Winnie’s life. She has so many people who love and care for her now. In the end, that is all that matters.”
I nodded, but it still hurt that my mother didn’t want to know her granddaughter. “You’re right.”
“Come on, let’s get this all taken care of so you can get out there and enjoy your camping trip with your two girls.”
My two girls. I liked the sound of that.
Dad and I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning and packing the RV for the camping trip while Winnie napped in her bedroom at my dad’s house. He had exhausted her earlier that morning, and all the running she did while we got things ready made for one tired girl. I had to wake her up so she wouldn’t sleep all afternoon.
Opal had offered to swing by the store for me to pick up the items on my shopping list and was pulling into the driveway right after me.
When I looked in the back seat, I laughed. Winnie had fallen asleep once again.
“Looks like someone had fun today,” Opal said as I gently put a still-sleeping Winnie over my shoulder.
“Let me get her to the sofa, and I’ll help with the food.”
“You give her to me,” Opal said, taking Winnie from my arms. “And help Jake with the food.”
“You’re sure?”
“This little girl is going to keep us young, no doubt about that.”
I laughed as I made my way over to help Jake carry in the food.
With Winnie still asleep on the sofa where Opal deposited her, they decided to head on out.
Looking at Jake, I asked, “Do you have a second for us to talk before you leave?”
He gave me a knowing smile. “If this is about Aurora, there is no need to talk, Liam. I’m happy you’ve finally opened your heart once again, and I could not be happier that it’s with Aurora.”
I smiled and looked at my father-in-law. “I did love Hope, Jake. I hope you know that.”
Reaching for my shoulder. He gave it a soft squeeze. “I know you did, Liam. You wouldn’t have stayed with her through all of that if you hadn’t loved her. Now is your time to find your happiness. Just like I have with Opal, I’m just glad you won’t have to wait as long as I did.”
I laughed. “I wrote down where we will be just in case. Nathan is going to watch The Muddled Moose for me, and I’ll be sure to give Aurora all the information to give to Lou.”
“Liam, everything is going to be fine here. Don’t worry. Just enjoy this time with Winnie and Aurora. Relax and catch some fish!”
“You don’t think it’s strange to be asking her to start up a relationship on a camping trip?”
“I think you both deserve to get some time away from Moose Village. Away from memories of Hope, so you can start this off on your terms.”
I nodded. That had been my thinking as well when I conceived the camping trip. I wanted Aurora and me to be in a place where I hadn’t spent any time with Hope.
“Have a fun and safe trip,” Jake said, pulling me in for a quick hug. We walked out to the car and I kissed Opal goodbye.
“Have fun!” she called out as they drove off.
