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Bev nodded. Her first instinct was to feel sorry for Rebecca. But that’s not what the woman needed.

“It’s been many years since my life with Samantha ended, but abuse like that lingers beyond the relationship. I cut myself off from trusting anyone. I built a wall so high I thought it’d be impossible for anyone to scale it. But your daughter,” Rebecca shook her head with a laugh.

“Tenacious, isn’t she?” Bev responded with a chuckle of her own.

“To say the least. I honestly tried to stay away, Beverly. I knew I was too old for her, but the pull I felt when I looked at her was far too strong. Still, I resisted. Hell, I left L.A. for a couple of months hoping it would cure me of this infatuation I felt for her.”

“So that’s what was wrong with her.” Bev explained further when Rebecca looked questioningly at her. “There was a time not too long ago, perhaps the time you’re speaking of when Cass was extremely moody. I’d never really seen her depressed before, so it was quite jarring. She would never say what was wrong, but I suppose I now know what caused it.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I spent the time in New York being depressed myself. It became so unbearable that I had to come back. I didn’t intend on getting in contact with Cassidy, but I felt better just being closer.”

“You really do love her, don’t you?”

“I do.” She glanced at Beverly. “It’s a testament to her upbringing how incredible she is. I never expected someone so young to teach me something as profound as my past having no bearing on my future. She saved me, Beverly. I was living with such guilt and shame buried under a bravado I’m not sure is or was real.”

Bev took a chance and clasped Rebecca’s hand. “I’ve never been in your situation, Rebecca. But I have to imagine that if you’re here, successful, and able to have a loving relationship, you’re doing something right.”

Rebecca squeezed Beverly’s hand. “I’m still in therapy but being with Cassidy has helped me be me again. And I’d like to think that I give her that same feeling in return.”

“As with her painting,” Bev assumed.

“For one. She’s pretty amazing, Beverly. The murals don’t do justice to the talent she has inside her.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing her work in the gallery.” As Bev said the words, she realized just how true they were. Seeing Cass through Rebecca’s eyes, she was seeing her daughter—the little girl that had stolen her heart twenty-five years ago—in a different light. “You’ll make sure she invites us, won’t you?”

Rebecca smiled. “She’s already put you and Russell on the list.”

Bev released Rebecca’s hand and patted her knee. “As sorry as I am for the reason I came here in the first place, I can’t regret it. I’m glad we got to talk, Rebecca. Maybe next time we can actually go inside and have some coffee,” she grinned.

“Now that you’re not trying to get my old ass out of this house, you’re welcome to come in,” Rebecca winked as Beverly snickered. “Would you like to come in?”

“Next time. I’ve taken up enough of your time today.” Bev stood, casually wiping any dust off her bottom. She gave Rebecca a quick hug when the—slightly—younger woman stood as well. “Thank you for being there for my daughter. And for letting her be there for you.”

“Believe me, it’s my pleasure.”

“Well now, I don’t need to know all of that.” Bev held her palms up. “Yes, I know I’m the one who brought up sex in the first place.” The two women laughed. “Um, would it futile to ask you not to tell my spirited daughter that I was here today?”

Rebecca pursed her lips in playful thought. “I won’t lie to her, but I don’t see why I would need to volunteer information.”

Bev let out a bark of hearty laughter. “I really do like you, Rebecca. Let’s do a less awkward dinner again sometime soon.”

“Absolutely. Be careful out there on the roads.”

Rebecca waved one last time before going back in the house and closing the front door with a heavy sigh. Her head fell back with a slight thud. While she was glad everything was now worked out with Cassidy’s mom, the exchange took a lot out of Rebecca. As it usually did whenever she thought of Samantha and her past.

“Forget about it now, Rebecca,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve done very well the past couple of weeks forgetting about it. You can keep it up.”

For a long moment, she stood in that same position, breathing in, breathing out, letting her mind relax again. Rebecca was so close to being fully relaxed when her heart rate jumped dramatically at the frantic knock at the door.

“Son of a bitch. Don’t tell me she changed her mind already.” Rebecca fixed a smile on her face just in case it was Beverly back for more. That smile turned to delighted confusion when she opened the door. “Aunt Wills!”

“Are you okay?” Willamena asked as Rebecca hugged her. “Are you hurt? Is she hurting you?” She pushed past a baffled Rebecca, looking around with a critical eye.

Once the words finally penetrated Rebecca’s extremely puzzled mind, she closed the door and turned. “What?”

“Is it happening again, Rebecca?”

“What are you talking about, Aunt Wills? Cassidy would never hurt me.” Rebecca finally got a good look at her aunt and saw the bags under her worried eyes. “Aunt Wills? What’s going on?”