Page 23 of Boss' Obsession

Beth’s eyes grow wide as she hears her Scottish brogue. She’s spent nearly fifty years in America, and her accent hasn’t faded one bit.

“Mom, this is Beth,” I tell her and she hugs Beth as if she’s known her forever.

I can see the relief wash over my girl. She wasn’t expecting to be greeted so warmly but she’s loving it. “Beth, you’re such a pretty little thing. You’re a living doll, you are.”

“Where’s Pop?” I ask.

“In the shop,” my mother replies. “He’ll be in for lunch soon.”

“Shop?” Beth asks.

“My father builds furniture. I guess I didn’t mention that.”

“I hope you’re hungry,” Mom tells Beth and leads her to the kitchen.

She plates the smoked ham and potatoes she’s prepared for us and sets the warm baked apples and cream on the table. It smells just like my childhood, and my mind is flooded with warm memories. I’m so glad I can share this with Beth. Given what she’s told me about her own childhood, she needs to see that there’s something better.

My father comes through the back door, and his face lights up when he sees me.

“Here’s my boy from the city,” he mumbles and embraces me.

“Hello, Pops.”

“And you brought a bonnie lass with you, too. She brightens the room. How’s business, son?”

“It’s very good, Pops. I can’t complain.”

“We won’t complain either. I can’t thank you enough for helping us out the way you do.”

“You’re my family. When you need something, I’ll take care of it. Anything, Pops, I mean it.”

We take our places around the table and enjoy our meal and conversation. Beth hangs on every word. After lunch, I take her by the hand and lead her out the backdoor to the garden. A gentle breeze blows the fallen leaves across the lawn. I lead her through the orchard to the riverbank where we skip stones of the water.

“I really like this place,” Beth says as she rests her head on my shoulder.

“It is nice, but when you’re a young, ambitious kid, it kind of feels like a prison.”

“I can see that, I guess.”

“Come on, Beth. Could you see me trying to grow a business from a place like this?”

“No, I guess not.”

“No, I needed to move to the city to become who I am.”

“And if you hadn’t, I never would have met you.”

“See? That’s the best reason of all.”

“What your father said about helping them. Did something happen?”

“Sure, the economy happened, and they got older. They were struggling for a while. That’s why I bought the homestead for them. Now, if things get lean, they don’t have to worry about paying a mortgage. And if they ever have a problem, they know I’ll take care of them.”

“That’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.”

“Don’t tell anyone. I like letting the rest of the world believe I’m a cutthroat hothead. Let’s go say our goodbyes and head out. You want to see the village before dark so you don’t get caught by the headless horseman.”

“It was such a short visit.” She frowns.

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