Chapter Fifteen

 

 

Monday evening, Emily grasped Katie’s hand and skipped alongside her as they headed down the block toward The Ring. “That was fun.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed the arts and crafts. You behaved well.”

“Mommy says that little girls should always behave in public.”

Katie grinned. “She was right. Are you looking forward to seeing your Aunt Hailey soon?”

She nodded. “I love Aunt Hailey.”

Katie breathed a little easier knowing Emily would be content. She should have had Hailey meet them at the community center since the final visit with her mom would be relatively quick, but meeting her at The Ring wasn’t that much different since they were on the same block.

Hailey approached from the opposite direction and waved. “How’s my favorite niece?” she called out.

Emily giggled and tugged her hand free then raced to her aunt.

Hailey wrapped her in a bear hug and stood with the child in her arms. She waited for Katie to catch up. “I thought we’d hang out in Ray’s office and play a game. I brought one over the last time I was here for times like this.”

“Good thinking. I don’t expect to be long.”

“Take your time,” Hailey said before heading into the gym.

Katie took a bracing breath, squared her shoulders, then marched to the crosswalk. Her palms sweated. Why was she so nervous? Her mom wasn’t a threat.

She walked into the shop and quickly spotted her mother. An expectant look filled her eyes. What was she up to?

Katie approached the table. “Hi.”

She wouldn’t bother with a drink today. The sooner she could leave the better, and a drink would slow her down.

Mom smiled. “Hi yourself. Have a seat.”

Katie took the chair across the table. “Did you have a nice week?” She may not desire a relationship, or completely trust her mother, but she would be nice.

“It was long. You?”

“Mine flew.” Being married to Ray and taking care of Emily had turned her life into a whirlwind. She’d barely had time to catch her breath. A large medium-sized manila envelope sat on the table piquing her curiosity. “Why was your week so long?”

“Mostly because I was anxious for our meeting. I don’t want our visits to end. I could come to Seattle from time to time. It would be nice for us to have a fresh start. Don’t you think?”

“If it were possible to wipe away my memories, I would agree, but I don’t think a fresh start is possible. There’s too much baggage.”

Mom’s face drooped. “There doesn’t have to be. You said you’ve forgiven me. I thought we could build on that. You’re my baby girl, and I’ve missed you.”

Katie swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. Having a mother again would be a dream come true, but what if once her mother got to know her, she took off like last time? Katie couldn’t take that kind of pain again. But still, her heart hurt for all her mom had been through. The pain her rotten dad had caused them both—at least they had that in common. But seeing her…having Mom in her life again? “I think we need to take baby steps. Do you e-mail?” She could set up an account to use only with her mom. That way if things got weird all she had to do was close it.

“I do.”

“Maybe that would be the best way to move forward.”

“E-mailing each other?” Mom frowned. “I wanted you to be a part of my life again. I wanted us to be a real family.”

“I think it might be too late for that.” She clenched her hands together in her lap. Why did this have to be so difficult? Not having parents in her life had been so much easier than this. “E-mailing is the best I can do for now.”

Mom seemed to contemplate her words then squared her shoulders and raised her chin ever so slightly. “Then that’s what we’ll do. But first I have something for you.” She slid the envelope across the table.

“What is it?” Her hand shook as she grasped it.

“I never told you this because you were too young, but you’re old enough now, and you’re under no delusions about your father. He cheated on me more than once. I don’t want you to go through what I did. I had your husband followed this past week.”

Anger filled her. “Why? Ray is nothing like Dad.” Katie’s voice raised a notch, and several people looked in their direction.

“I hope you’re right, but I needed to see what kind of man you married. Trust me. You’ll want to see those pictures.”

Katie’s stomach dropped. Could she have been wrong about Ray? She dropped the envelope onto the table. Ray was a good man. Mom had to be mistaken. He would never do anything to hurt her. So why was she terrified to know what pictures were inside the envelope?

Her mother pulled a pad of paper and a pen from her purse. She scribbled something down, tore off the sheet, then handed it to Katie. “When you’re ready, that’s my e-mail. I love you, Katie.” She stood. “I hope to hear from you soon.” Without a backward glance, her mom marched away and out the door.

Katie shook her head and focused on the envelope. Did she really want to know what was inside? She knew in her heart that Ray was a good man, so whatever her mom thought she had on him had to be a mistake.

She stuffed it into her purse. The pictures would keep. Emily needed dinner and was depending on her.

 

 

Ray draped his arm across the back of the couch and rested his hand on Katie’s shoulder. “It’s finally just us.”

Katie snuggled her head against his shoulder.

He could get used to evenings like this. “You never said how it went with your mom.”

Katie sighed. “She gave me her e-mail address.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing, is it? After all, she is your mother.”

“And she doesn’t like you, so I wouldn’t work too hard at defending her.”

He frowned. “She doesn’t know me.”

“You’re a man and my husband. Apparently, that’s enough.”

He shifted. It wasn’t fair. But not much was where Katie’s family was concerned. “You think I could win her over?”

“Of course you could, given time, but you don’t have that. Remember, she and I aren’t meeting anymore.”

“Right.” He frowned. It shouldn’t matter if her mother didn’t like him, but it did. Now he knew how Katie felt regarding his mom.

Katie stilled beside him. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds. “Is there anything I should know about you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Hmm. I think you know all there is to know. Why do you ask?” The serious look on her face caused him to tense.

She shrugged. “We’re married. I just thought…that is, you can tell me anything. Okay?”

“I appreciate that. Where’s this coming from?”

“Something my mother said. It’s no biggie.”

“It feels important.” He frowned. What wasn’t she saying?

“Don’t worry. She has a way of getting in my head. I’m sorry I worried you.”

“Okay. Talking goes both ways. You can talk to me about anything, too.”

“Thanks.”

“So, is there anything you want to talk about? Anything I should know?”

She pressed her lips together as if in deep thought. “Grace is my middle name.”

“That’s Hailey’s nickname. Grace suits you. I like it.” He tried to smile, but suspected he failed. “Anything else?”

“Nope.”

He knew something was off with her, but clearly, she wasn’t going to talk. Why didn’t she trust him?