Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Sam, just go.” Hoping he would comply, she turned, gesturing for her mother to follow, which she did, judging by the clicking sound of her heels against the walkway.
Nicole was disappointed but not at all surprised when Sam stepped into the house behind her mother, closing the door behind him.
“I believe she asked you to leave,” her mother said to Sam.
He merely stared at her mother for a heartbeat before extending his hand. “I’m Sam Marsden. One of the things Nicole finds so attractive about this small town.”
Oh, he did not just say that.
Nicole closed her eyes, knowing that if she’d introduced them earlier, she could have avoided this, but unlike with her father, when she’d just blanked, this time she’d hoped to spare Sam her mother’s direct snub.
When her mother merely eyed him warily, Sam, with his hand still out, explained, “Someone has to be civil.”
With a put-out sigh, her mother shook his hand. “Marian Farnsworth. Now may I speak to my daughter in private?”
He glanced between the two women. “I’ll wait in the den just in case you need me,” he said pointedly to Nicole. He headed to the next room, where Nicole knew he’d be able to hear every word exchanged.
“What does he think I’m going to do to you?” her mother asked. “He’s a rude man.”
“No, that’s you, showing up here uninvited, ordering my . . . friend around and making demands. I told you when I was packing to leave I was serious. It’s my life.”
Her mother sighed, shifting the chain on her purse to the other shoulder. “You’re a part of a prominent family, Nicole. Your father’s partner was arrested this morning. Tyler and Paul are trying to hold things together and keep their important clients. You have an obligation to help us.”
“Why? Because you gave birth to me?”
“Exactly.” Her mother’s lips thinned. “Bloodlines are important.” Marian eyed her, a determined expression on her face. “And this little rebellion won’t do anything for you in the long run. Neither will that small-town cop.”
“Just stop!” Nicole’s voice rose, and she realized she was a heartbeat away from stamping her feet like a child. She drew a deep breath and pulled herself together. “This isn’t a rebellion. This is my life. You’re standing in my home, insulting me. You’re belittling a place with good people, a place you know nothing about. And that small-town cop you’re so disdainful of? I love him.”
“Oh, Nicole.” Her mother’s voice filled with pity and dismay. “I told you that you can’t build a life that’s meaningful or important on love. Love won’t support you in the lifestyle you’re accustomed to. And this kind of living? It will grow old. Come home and do what’s expected of you now.”
Her head began to pound. “Mother, I’m going to say something and for once in my life, I want you to listen. To hear me. I’m building a good life here. One I’m proud of. I have friends who like me for me, not the family name or money. And tomorrow, I’m opening a bakery in town with a woman I admire. I’ll be up at four o’clock preparing my customers’ pastries and baked goods. If our blood ties mean anything, if my being your daughter is important to you, I hope you’ll come and see what I’ve accomplished.”
A myriad set of expressions crossed her mother’s face, none of which Nicole could interpret. It would take too much time and effort for her to try. She could only hope she’d made some kind of impression on her mother’s implacable will to put her status above all else.
Marian placed a hand on Nicole’s shoulder, surprising her and making her wonder if she’d made some sort of dent after all.
“Your sister’s ill. She will never be able to step up and be the daughter we need her to be. But you still can. Think about it,” Marian said.
Nicole jerked away. “I don’t need to think. I know who I am. You’re looking at her, Mom. So look. Understand. Come tomorrow and see for yourself.” Was she really begging? Nicole bit the inside of her cheek hard.
“You’re a disappointment to me,” her mother said. “And clearly I came all this way for nothing.”
Nicole shook her head and closed her eyes.
Her mother hadn’t heard one word Nicole said. In one ear and out the other. Her mother had ignored everything important to Nicole, words that came from her heart and soul in a last-ditch attempt to reach the woman who was supposed to be her mother. But a mother’s job was to love and nurture, and Marian Farnsworth had done none of those things.
When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t surprised to find that her mother had gone, cementing the fact that they clearly had very different views on what it meant to share blood.