My One and Only (Ardent Springs Book 3) (30 page)

“There’s no need to yell,” Meredith said from the kitchen doorway. “I’m standing right here.”

Haleigh blinked at the sight before her. “You’re wearing an apron.”

“I didn’t want to get sauce on my good blouse.” As if this wasn’t the most uncharacteristic thing the older woman could have said, she casually turned to Cooper and asked, “Would you like a beer before dinner? I asked the young man at the grocery store for a recommendation and he insisted on an IPA, whatever that stands for. I believe it’s called Cutaway, though that seems like an odd name for a beer.”

Looking as dumbfounded as Haleigh felt, Cooper glanced from mother to daughter and said, “Soda is fine.”

“Tell me I didn’t buy this beer for nothing,” Meredith said, brows riding high.

Haleigh had tried to warn him of the minefield that was dinner with Mama Mitchner.

“He’ll have the beer,” Haleigh answered for him, giving Cooper a
don’t argue
look.

“Good.” Their hostess turned on her heel and strolled back into the kitchen. “Haleigh Rae, I made you a pot of coffee.”

Caught off guard by the almost genial welcome, at least by her mother’s standards, Haleigh lingered in the foyer.

“Shouldn’t we follow her?” Cooper whispered.

“She made me coffee,” Haleigh mumbled. “She never does that.”

“What are you two waiting for?” her mother asked from the stove. “We aren’t eating in the front hall.”

“Coming, ma’am,” Cooper said, shoving Haleigh in front of him. So much for the valiant knight leading the way.

Minutes later, the three were seated in the dining room. Per the plan, Haleigh breached the subject of the shelter as soon as the meal began. Her mother rattled off several suggestions for how to proceed with the project, requiring little more than the occasional nod of agreement from her guests. When the conversation lulled, Cooper gave Haleigh a hard look, motioning for her to launch the next topic. But before she could do so, Meredith revealed yet another surprise.

“I’m selling the house.”

Haleigh dropped her fork. “You’re what?”

“This is my good tablecloth, Haleigh Rae. Please be more careful.”

Ignoring the admonition, Haleigh held her breath, certain she’d heard her mother wrong. “Did you say you’re selling the house?”

“Yes. I talked to Ryland and he suggested I downsize. This house is really too much for just me. And it’s a bear to keep clean.”

Pointing out that she’d made these same arguments countless times would serve no purpose, but Haleigh nearly exploded with the need to scream into the wind. Meredith continued, oblivious to the frustration churning through her daughter.

“I talked to Ronnie Ottwell and he’s showing me two options tomorrow. Fortunately, this house is nearly paid off, so I should make enough in the sale to put a large down payment on a smaller place and still have money in the bank to live on until I start earning a salary from the shelter.”

Haleigh’s brain struggled to process the unspoken implication in her mother’s revelation. It sounded as if her mother intended to support herself going forward, but one could never make an assumption with Meredith. Haleigh needed clarification.

“When you say money to live on, do you mean you intend to support yourself? Fully? Without outside help?”

“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” her mother replied, as if Haleigh’s question were insulting. As if she hadn’t spent years insisting quite the opposite. “Now, who wants dessert? I made Grandma Mitchner’s pecan pie today. Cooper, I’m counting on you to eat at least half of it.”

Without awaiting an answer from either guest, her mother disappeared into the kitchen.

Haleigh stared at her water glass, certain she would wake any minute from whatever crazy dream she was having.

“I think she’s really sorry,” Cooper said.

“That’s generous,” Haleigh replied. “I think she’s insane.”

“Whatever she is, your problem is solved. And without the ugly scene you’ve been dreading.”

This was true, but she knew her mother too well. The house wouldn’t sell tomorrow. Meredith would require funds until it did. The truth of the matter sunk in.

“She’s taking money from Ryland.”

“She’s what?” Cooper asked. “Didn’t you hear what your mother said? She can take care of herself.”

“No.” Haleigh shook her head. “She’s replacing my money with Ryland’s. I’m sure of it.”

“Then that’s Ryland’s problem.” Rubbing his stomach, he said, “I’m not sure I can eat half a pie after two helpings of lasagna.”

How could Cooper think about pie at a time like this? “Would you focus? What are we going to do?”

“Haleigh Rae, your brother is a grown man. If he wants to give your mother money, that’s up to him. And you don’t even know for sure if he is.” Checking the doorway, he lowered his voice. “As far as I can tell, your mom is making amends. She cooked this meal. She hasn’t insulted your outfit. And she’s giving you your life back. This is a good thing.”

Cooper had a point. A gracious apology wasn’t Meredith’s style, but neither was baking pies. Yet in she walked accompanied by the smell of fresh pecan pie. Being single and in the military meant Ryland didn’t have many expenses and could likely afford to send money home. Who was Haleigh to interfere? Her baby brother wasn’t a baby anymore.

Determined to let her misgivings go, Haleigh enjoyed the rest of the meal, watching her mother guilt Cooper into one more piece of pie, and then marveling in wonder as the man she loved drew relaxed laughter from a woman who rarely smiled.

As they drove home, Haleigh held two large containers of leftovers on her lap and clung to Cooper’s hand. “You pulled off a miracle tonight,” she said. “I hope you realize that.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he answered, as she knew he would.

Instead of arguing the point, she laid her head on his shoulder and smiled. “I love you, Cooper. More than I can ever say.”

Putting his arm around her shoulders, Cooper pulled her in close. “Then you’ll just have to show me,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Every day for the rest of our lives.”

Turning to see his happy grin, she said, “I like the sound of that.”

“Good.” He squeezed her tight. “Because I plan to do the same.”

How had she ever gotten so lucky?

With a full heart and contented sigh, Haleigh cuddled against Cooper’s side while giving thanks that the one and only man for her, the one who had been right there all those years, had loved her enough to wait.

About the Author

Photo © 2012 Crystal Huffman

Born in the Ohio Valley, Amazon and
Wall Street Journal
bestselling author Terri Osburn spent her childhood between the covers of her favorite books. Her love of the romance genre began in her teens and never faded. Just five years after she penned her first romance novel, she was named a 2012 finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award for
Meant to Be
, which went on to become her debut release. She resides in Virginia with her tolerant teenager, pampered pets, and beloved books.