Bonnie Winn - To Love Again

Donna’s expression was sympathetic, but Laura’s heart sank. She looked down at her son. “What about you, pal?”

Gregg hunched his skinny shoulders. “S’okay, I guess. Do I still get to play peewee ball?”

She hugged him. Hard. “I’m sure you will. Rosewood has the very best stuff for kids. It’s one of the things that decided me. It’s really safe—kids ride their bikes to school and their moms don’t worry. And they have all kinds of great things for you to do.”

He screwed his face into lines of thought. “Where are we going to live?”

Laura described the house, the nearby park. “And your room has a killer view of the whole street.”

“Cool.”

She hugged him again, wishing the transition could be as easy for her daughter. But Kirsten would have to adjust. They all would.

Gregg wriggled free. “I’m gonna go start packing.”

“Okay, sweetie. We’ll get some boxes later today. Maybe just go through your toys for a start. See if there are some you’d like to put in the donation box.”

After he had trooped upstairs, Donna whistled. “This is fast, Laura.”

“I know. And I didn’t plan on it. To be honest, when the idea hit me, I was scared to death. Then I found out that I could afford this great house—oh, Donna, you’ll love it. And the town is safe, the kind of place you want to raise kids in. And I liked the people, well, Annie and Ethan Warren, the ones who run the bed-and-breakfast. He’s a schoolteacher, and she runs the inn.” Laura paused for breath. “You know how bad it’s been—how terrible things were with Jerry. Now I’ve got another chance…” She stood, pacing toward the large window that looked out on the fashionable street. “Does that sound as awful out loud as when I think it?”

“Not for anyone who really knew Jerry. I don’t know how you stuck it out this long with him. If he hadn’t gotten sick…Well, I know you wouldn’t have wished that for him, but I don’t think you’d have escaped any other way.” Donna hesitated. “I’m guessing Kirsten’s reaction will seem mild compared to her grandparents’.”

Laura sat down, then glanced toward the staircase. “I imagine she’s already on the phone, telling her grandmother.” She leaned her head back on the top of the sofa, picturing how furious they would be. Hit hard by the loss of their son, they drifted between grief and anger.

“They can’t keep you here,” Donna said wistfully.

“I’m going to miss you. But it’s not that far. You can visit—bring your laptop. You’ll like Rosewood, I know it. And the house has an extra bedroom with your name on it.”

“I am mobile,” Donna admitted.

Laura smiled. “I don’t know what I would have done without you all these years. With Jerry…”

“You don’t have to say it. I know. Maybe you’re right. Rosewood’s atmosphere might be great for my work.”

“Not to mention there could be new single men for you to meet.”

Donna laughed. “If I can’t find the right one in a city of more than four million, what chance do I have in a teeny town?”

“Different priorities?”

“Does that mean you’ve spotted someone there?” Donna looked intrigued. “Paul Russell?”

Laura shook her head. “Hardly. Not only am I a brand-new widow…but Paul? He can barely stand to speak to me. I’m not sure why, either. He seemed to have made his mind up about me before he ever met me.”

“Something Jerry said?”

Laura thought of Paul’s disapproving expression. “Maybe. But I don’t think Jerry would have said anything negative. You know how he was about appearances.”

“Maybe Paul’s just an odd duck, then.”

“Maybe.” But Laura hadn’t thought so. Well, until he had been so set against her joining the firm. “Donna, will you stay for dinner? My in-laws will probably make an appearance and I need the moral support.”

“Sure. I’m a glutton for punishment.” Donna rose, picking up glasses as she walked toward the kitchen.

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

“I put some chicken out to thaw. How ’bout if I work on dinner while you take a few minutes for yourself—maybe grab a shower.”

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“It’s fun for me to cook for more than one.”

Grateful, Laura hugged her friend. “I won’t be long.”

“Take as long as you want.”

Upstairs, Laura shed her traveling clothes and luxuriated in a long, hot shower. She washed her hair, willing the pounding water to erase her worries. Pulling on a thick, ankle-length terry robe, she combed her hair. Donna was right. A hot shower had been just what she needed.

Humming, she skipped down the stairs, pausing at the landing that curved down to the final four steps. Her in-laws stood in the foyer. Donna, clearly uncomfortable, glanced up at her.

Wishing she’d taken the time to get dressed, Laura knotted the sash to her robe. She felt vulnerable, at a disadvantage. “Hello, Edward, Meredith.”

Her father-in-law managed a small smile, but Meredith began crying.

Laura felt the pit of her stomach drop. “Let’s go into the living room.”

Trailing them, Laura knew she had to get this over with, but it didn’t lessen her trepidation. She’d always wanted a closer relationship with her in-laws, but Edward traveled so much for work and Meredith had never encouraged a deeper connection. Despite the fact that they had never been close, she had always hoped Meredith would become a true mother figure, especially since she really didn’t have one of her own. But the woman was entrenched in a social life that hadn’t included her daughter-in-law. Laura knew they both thought Jerry had married beneath himself.

Meredith had barely taken a seat when she began her tirade, waving her lace handkerchief like a flag. “Laura, what are you thinking?”

Laura started to answer. “I—”

“You’re not thinking of the children, just yourself. Jerry did everything he could to keep this family together.” She sniffed into the rumpled square of cotton. “Now, the moment he’s gone, you want to rip it to pieces.”

Laura hated conflict, but she didn’t have any choice. Again, she wished she and Meredith had the sort of relationship that encouraged confidences. She would like to pour out the whole story—tell her about the real Jerry, who emerged behind closed doors. But what purpose could it serve now? To hurt his parents, turn them against her? Their only child, they had idolized him. “You don’t understand, Meredith. I’m doing what I think is best for my family.”

“By taking them from their home, everything they know? From us? Hardly, Laura. You’re being selfish.”

The words hurt. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I have to do what I believe is right. And Rosewood’s not that far. You can visit—”

Edward leaned forward. “Laura, why don’t you consider taking up something to get your mind off Jerry’s passing? You could go to school or…”

With what? Her allowance was too small for that. “I appreciate the suggestion, Edward. But we need a new start. And we can’t get it here.” Laura caught sight of Kirsten hovering in the doorway.

“You seem to have forgotten that the children are part of our family, too.” Meredith’s thin lips tightened.

Laura hated this tension. It seemed her entire life had been nothing but fighting. She wanted so much for it to stop. “And the kids can visit you.”

“I want to stay here with them!” Kirsten nearly shrieked the words.

Meredith held her arms out to her granddaughter and Kirsten rushed into them. “See what you’re doing to her!”

“She’ll adjust. It won’t be easy. I know that.” She reached for her courage. “But my mind’s made up.”