A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold #9.5)(58)
She covered her face with her hands and continued to cry.
Evie stood immobilized by shock. She recognized she was at a crossroads, and whatever she decided at this moment would influence the rest of her life.
Yes, her mother had made mistakes. There were reasons, some better than others, for what had happened, but in the end it came down to a choice. Hang on to the past and stay stuck or forgive and move on.
Which meant no choice at all. There was only what was right. While she was still battered and bruised from what Dante had done, she felt a deeper wound finally heal. It wasn’t much right now, but later that healing would give her strength. She wanted and needed to be a part of her family.
She reached for her mother and pulled her close. “You didn’t lose me, Mom. I’m right here, and I love you, too.”
May looked at her. “You do? You swear?”
“I swear. We still have a long way to go. But I’ve decided to stay in Fool’s Gold. We’ll hang out together. You can help me find a place to buy. How’s that?”
May hugged her so tight, Evie couldn’t breathe. But that was okay. Because right now, this was exactly what she needed.
“I do love you,” May told her.
“I know. Now you have to promise to stop apologizing. The past is done. From now on, we’re just going to deal with the present. Together.”
May squeezed again. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Evie shook her head. “I have to thank you, too, Mom. For making the effort. I’m not sure I would have been able to put pride aside and risk reaching out.”
“You mean it about staying here?”
“Yes. Dominique wants to expand the dance school, and I have some ideas for that.”
“You could do a dance exercise class for women my age. To help us get in shape. Everyone I know wants to move like you do. You’re always so graceful.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m not sure what we’d call it. Exercise and dance for old women probably isn’t a good name.”
Evie started to laugh, and her mom joined in.
May sniffed, then glanced around. While no one was overtly watching, Evie was pretty sure they were the center of attention.
“All right then,” her mother said, wiping her cheeks. “Is my mascara running?”
“You look beautiful.”
May smiled. “I think that’s an exaggeration. I’m going to duck into the bathroom and spruce myself up. Then I’ll be back and we can see what we can do about getting the rest of these pets adopted.”
* * *
“HERE IT IS,” Evie said, carefully lifting the cat carrier out of the backseat of her car. “I’m sorry to make you ride back here, but I didn’t want to have to worry about the air bag deploying. Not that I’m a bad driver and we’re at risk for being in an accident.”
She pressed her lips together. “I’m babbling, I know. I’m a little nervous. I’ve already been rejected by one guy in my life. I guess I’m afraid you’ll be critical.”
She closed the car door and walked into her place.
The previous night she’d set up the cat supplies. She’d put the litter box upstairs in the guest bathroom. She’d folded an old, soft blanket on the window seat in the guest room. On sunny days Alexander could sun himself there.
The food and water bowls were full and on a placemat in a quiet part of her kitchen. She wasn’t sure where to put his cat bed. From what she’d read, he would find where he was most comfortable, so for now, it was in a corner, tucked next to a chair. He could see out, but still feel a little protected.
She took the carrier upstairs to the guest room. She figured they would start near the bathroom and let him find his way from there. She set it on the floor and opened the wire door.
“You’re home,” she said in a quiet voice. “Alexander, come on, big guy. This is it. Where you belong.”
He slowly, cautiously, stepped out of the carrier. After glancing at her, he walked into the bathroom and sniffed. He paused at the litter box, but didn’t use it.
“I hope I got the right kind,” she said. “It has baking soda in it.”
He walked past her and went under the guest bed. Before she could wonder if he was going to hide there for a while, he came out the other side and headed for the hallway.
She’d closed the door to the master, thinking she didn’t want to confuse him. He headed downstairs, and she followed.
He made a circuit of the rest of the place, pausing to delicately lap at the water and sniff the dry food. Then he walked to the sofa, jumped up and stared at her.
She paused at the bottom of the stairs.
“I should probably tell you about myself,” she murmured, thinking she was being an idiot, but not sure how else to start a conversation with a cat.
“I’ve never had a pet before, so it’s possible I won’t get everything right. If you could just be a little patient with me, I would appreciate it. I’m, um, a dance teacher, which I like a lot. Do you like children? Because there might be some around, from time to time. I just broke up with the guy I was seeing.”
Evie paused, feeling the pain of the words. “I thought he was pretty great. I thought…” She swallowed against the tightness in her throat. “I was in love with him,” she whispered, fighting tears. “Stupid, huh?”