Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(120)

Heather had been dealing with a series of highs and lows over the past couple of weeks. She knew she was a mess and everything was too close to the surface, so she wasn’t surprised that she wanted to throw herself at Daphne and burst into tears.

She managed to keep herself together enough to say, “You’d want to do that?”

“Of course. It would be fun. I love UW but I’m ready to try something new. Plus, in third grade you and I did a pinkie swear that we’d go to the same college. We need to make that happen.”

Daphne hugged her. “I’m going to miss you so much, but going away is good for you. You’ll have a little time between summer school and the fall semester starting. I’ll drive down and we can hang out. Plus, I can see the campus.” She grinned. “The parents love it when I do research and show how responsible I am.”

“Thank you,” Heather whispered, wanting to say so much more but unable to find the words. She knew Daphne’s offer was not a throwaway comment. Her friend was the type who got things done. If Daphne decided she wanted to get her MBA from USC, she would make it happen.

They finished loading the car, then said their final goodbyes and Daphne left. Heather had already been by to see Gina, who was deeply in the promise that was baby number two. She and Quincy were house hunting and moving forward with their lives.

Heather went inside to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Sophie joined her, standing in the doorway to the guest bedroom.

“You doing okay?”

Heather nodded. “I’m excited.”

“But scared,” Sophie said.

“Yes, that, too. Everything happened so fast.”

Sophie leaned against her door frame. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can stay here.”

“No, that’s not an option.” Leaving might be uncomfortable, but there was no way she was going to stay here.

“Just checking.” She walked into the room and sat on the bed, then patted the space next to her. When Heather was settled, Sophie continued.

“I’m really proud of you. Leaving isn’t easy, even when it’s the right thing to do. Your relationship with your mother is complicated. Parents can make things better and worse and often do both at the same time.”

Heather nodded. “She’s not going to come say goodbye.”

“Asking or telling?”

Heather thought about the last conversation she’d had with her mother, how Amber would always resent her own daughter’s opportunity and success. She didn’t doubt Amber loved her, but the feeling was always mitigated by Amber’s own demons.

“Telling,” she said softly.

Sophie put her arm around her. “So here’s the thing. Amber always twists reality to suit her purposes. There’s a better than even chance that by the time you come back for Christmas break, she will have rewritten history. Kristine and I have been talking about planting a few seeds—you know, to smooth things out between you.”

“Like what?”

Sophie grinned. “We’re going to tell her how much she must miss you and how brave she is for letting you go. Later, we’ll talk about how she always wanted you to get away and how we admire that about her. It may not work, but we’re going to give it a try.”

Because they loved her and wanted the best for her, Heather thought. “Thank you. Only you don’t have to rush. I don’t know if I’ll be coming back for Christmas. I don’t know how long our break is and with the mountain passes between here and there, I’m not sure about driving. Plus, I would be missing work.”

Sophie raised her eyebrows. “Young lady, you are so coming back here. I will send you a ticket and you will get your ass on a plane. Is that clear?”

Heather’s throat got tight as she nodded. “You’re really good to me, Sophie. Thank you. You’ve always been good to us. You bought the condo for my mom and I know that when Kristine and Jaxsen were buying their first home, you helped with the down payment. You’re a generous person.”

Sophie shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not. I’m difficult and opinionated and right now I’m dating a guy who makes me insane. But I do love you and I want you to be happy.”

She pulled an envelope from her back pocket. “Your grandmother sent this. I happen to know it’s to help you out with school.”

Heather threw herself at Sophie and hung on tight. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now get going. You have a long drive ahead of you. Text me when you get to the hotel, okay?”

“I will. I promise.”

They stood. Heather looked around the room one last time before heading for the front door. She paused to pet Mrs. Bennet and Lily before walking to her car.

As she pulled out onto the street, she thought about swinging by to see her mom, but knew there was no point. Amber wouldn’t appreciate the gesture and the odds of them getting into a conversation that would upset them both seemed incredibly high. There would be plenty of time for talking later.

She drove to the main road, then went east until she reached the bridge separating the island from the mainland. Once across the Sound, she merged onto I5, heading south. She was about twelve hundred miles from her destination and the next chapter of her life.

“I’m going to be okay,” she whispered, the words as much a promise as an encouragement.