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“Mom,” I said when I answered. “Were you a part of Trevor’s plan to offer way too much for the farmland?”
“Hello to you too,” she said. “And I knew he was offering more, but not the details.”
“He came here today to hand deliver it.”
“Aw!” she said. “That’s so romantic.”
I almost screamed. “He handed it toCain.It caused a major issue.”
“Who cares? You won’t see him again after you sell it.”
“This is hisjob!”
“He could always find something else.”
“Mom,no.I’m not selling the farm. No matter how much money is offered.”
“He’s working so hard on this,” Mom defended. “He came all that way just to try and work with you. Doesn’t that make you feel something?”
I gritted my teeth. It made me want to shovehimin a trash can. To hide him from Cain and everyone here. I didn’t want them to know what kind of man I’d almost married. I didn’t want them to know anything about me other than who I really was.
And then it hit me. I was embarrassed of him. Of Trevor.
“Hello? Are you there?”
“I don’t want Trevor coming here with any more offers. Actually, I don’t want any talk of selling the farm, or of me getting back together with him. It’s not happening. Ever.”
There was silence on the line. I’d never been this firm with Mom before, but it felt right.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “And I’m so worried about you, out there all alone.”
“I’m not alone.”
“You’re not with us. I haven’t seen you in weeks! I was just hoping you would be back in time for my birthday, and now you seem to be staying.”
Her birthday? I checked my calendar and cursed. That was indays,and I’d totally forgotten.
“I might not be back in town, but I can come visit.”
“But that’s a three-hour drive.”
“I can make it work,” I told her. “I can come for your party if you want me to.”
“Yes,please.It’s been too long. I need to see my baby girl. I need toseethat you’re okay.”
My heart warmed. Despite being upset, it was nice to be reminded that she wanted time with me.
“Tell me all about the party,” I said. “I’ll be there.”
She told me every detail, down to what color scheme she was using. I listened intently, happy to hear her voice, happy to talk about anything other than Trevor or land selling.
“Now, what if you came a day early?” she asked, her voice hopeful. “We could see each other even more!”
“I have to work, unfortunately.”
“You could go to the office. Your dad would love that.”
Isure wouldn’t. “It’s fine,” I said. “I ... sometimes have to help with the animals, so I can’t leave for too long.”