Susannah's Garden (Blossom Street #3)(86)

She hurried to her bedroom and surveyed it carefully, looking, she supposed, for another message from Jake. He couldn’t possibly know what had kept her away from their meeting.

“Mom, Carolyn’s on the phone,” Chrissie yelled from the kitchen.

Susannah hadn’t even heard it ring.

“I understand you just got in,” Carolyn said when she answered. “How’s your mother?”

“She’s going to be fine. She’s out of surgery and in recovery. The hospital said they’d phone if there was any change.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” When Susannah murmured her thanks, Carolyn said, “Listen, I know this is absolutely none of my business, but I saw Troy Nance on my way home. He’s out at the Roadside Inn and he isn’t alone, if you catch my drift.”

“Really?”

“That was an hour ago, so I can’t promise he’s still there.”

Susannah’s eyes swung toward her daughter and then to the digital readout on the microwave. “I see.”

Chrissie quickly noticed that the conversation somehow concerned her.

“What did Carolyn tell you?” she burst out the instant Susannah replaced the receiver.

“Would you be interested in a short drive?” Susannah asked instead. She wouldn’t mention what Carolyn had said unless or until it was necessary.

“A drive, this time of night?” Chrissie stared at her skeptically.

“It isn’t that late.”

“You’re not fooling me, Mom. This has something to do with Troy, doesn’t it?”

“Why do you say that?” She got her purse and car keys and, without waiting for Chrissie, walked out the door.

Chrissie seemed about to stay behind, but after a moment stomped out to the car, resembling nothing so much as a pouting eight-year-old.

“This isn’t going to work,” she muttered when she climbed in beside Susannah.

“What isn’t?” Susannah inserted the key and started the engine.

“I’m moving to Colville to be with Troy and to help Grandma, and nothing you say is going to change that.”

“I haven’t said a word,” Susannah told her.

“Yeah, right.” Chrissie gazed out the side window at the darkened street.

Silently they drove to the Roadside Inn. Susannah nearly clapped her hands with delight when she saw Troy’s truck in the parking lot.

“What’s this supposed to prove?” Chrissie demanded when Susannah parked next to it.

“Nothing. I feel like a drink. How about you?”

“Oh, please….”

“Fine, you go in on your own. I can wait here.” Susannah leaned back in her seat, feigning a relaxed position.

“What do you expect me to find?”

Acting innocent, Susannah shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

“There’s nothing to see here, so let’s just go home. Troy and I had a long talk this afternoon, after you tried to discredit him. He doesn’t like his women jealous. He said I was his girlfriend, and if I didn’t believe that, I shouldn’t be in his life.”

Susannah sighed as if bored. “Check it out,” she said and gestured toward the tavern.

Without responding, Chrissie got out of the car and slammed the door.

Susannah winced at the anger in her daughter. All she could do now was wait—and hope that Chrissie would actually see what should be right in front of her face.

Five agonizing minutes passed before the tavern door opened. Out strolled Troy and Chrissie, arms entwined around each other.

Troy yanked open the passenger door and leaned inside the car. “You’ve got a real problem, Mrs. Nelson,” he said, shaking his head sadly. “Why are you so paranoid? Chrissie’s the only one for me.” He glared at her in unmistakable challenge. “Isn’t that right?” Turning, he bestowed a smile on Chrissie.

“Yes,” she reiterated. “My mother isn’t going to break us up. I won’t let her.”

Great, just great. Susannah had gambled and lost. Now she just looked vindictive in Chrissie’s eyes—vindictive, unreasonable and, as Troy had said, paranoid.

CHAPTER 38

In the morning, the first thing Susannah did was phone the hospital to check on her mother’s condition, which had improved. After she’d spoken to the nurse, she made a pot of coffee, desperate for a caffeine boost.

Chrissie hadn’t said a word to her during the entire ride home from the Roadside Inn. She sat there, arms crossed, shoulders back and her chin tilted as if being in such close proximity to her mother was more than she could endure.

Now, sitting at the kitchen table drinking her coffee, Susannah wondered if her daughter’s attitude had softened. She didn’t have to wait long to find out.

At eight, Chrissie came out of her bedroom, fully dressed. She entered the kitchen and stopped abruptly when she saw Susannah.

“Good morning,” Susannah said in a neutral voice.

Her daughter ignored her.

“Chrissie, listen, this has got to end.”

Her daughter scowled defiantly in her direction. “It’s my life.”

“Yes, I know, but…”

“No, you obviously don’t know,” she muttered. “Troy and I are in love.”