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“Aha. So you are attracted to him. I knew it.” Mom smiled smugly and Kelly rolled her eyes again.

The more she denied what she was feeling toward Tate, the more Mom would keep at her until she admitted the truth.

“Fine, you win. Yes, I find him attractive, but nothing more can happen between us, Mom. It just wouldn’t work.”

“Nothing more? What more is there to happen? And why wouldn’t it work?”

Of course, Mom would pick up on her slip of the tongue. “Not what you’re thinking, that’s for sure. But we kissed the other night. He walked me back to my car, and I don’t know, it just happened. And it wouldn’t work because it just wouldn’t.”

“Honey, I know your ex really hurt you. He’s a loser, and if I could get my hands on him, well, let’s just say he would be looking down the barrel of your father’s shotgun.”

“Mom, that’s a little extreme.” She had no idea Mom still had Dad’s guns.

“Is it? That man had the morals of a snake, and he was going to add you to his harem.”

She burst out laughing. “Geez, Mom, he wasn’t going to add me to his harem. I wouldn’t let him. You know there are more polyamorous relationships happening now than ever before.”

“People are free to live their own lives the way they want to. The difference in those relationships you’re talking about is that all parties are aware of what’s going on when they enter it. You didn’t. As far as you knew you were both in a monogamous relationship. He was being deliberately dishonest with you, and not to mention a married man. So, yes, if he sets one foot in this town, I’d chase him out again.”

Kelly dropped the tools she was working with and wrapped her mom in a hug. “I love you, Mom. Thank you.”

Mom returned her hug. “I love you, too, baby girl. I’d do anything to see you happy.”

Kelly disentangled herself from the embrace. “I am happy, Mom. I’m doing what I love. I live close to you again. I’ve got good friends. Life is good.”

Her mom reached out and touched her cheek softly. “But you’re lonely, honey. You weren’t meant to be alone. You’ve closed yourself off from living. From seeing the possibilities that surround you. Don’t ignore Santa’s sleigh.”

“What are you talking about, Mom? Santa’s sleigh? It’s June, not December.”

“I’m talking about the signs that are put in front of you. Signs that if you ignore, you miss the best part of your life. So don’t ignore them. More importantly, don’t be afraid to grab them.”

Had she missed a lot of signs in her life? She wasn’t sure. “How do you know what the signs are, Mom? I’m sure they’re not labeled, hey, I’m a sign—you need to pay attention to me.”

Mom laughed. “No, that would be too easy. Honey, if you open yourself up to all possibilities life has to offer, the signs will make sense. Take Tate, for instance.”

No. She needed to put a stop to Mom and her philosophies right now. “What are you talking about? Tate is in no way part of my future.”

Except her subconscious mind seemed to think that maybe he was part of it.

“See, you’re still being closed off. Listen to me, Kelly. Out of the blue, Tate started coming into the shop and buying arrangements on a regular basis.”

“You know his reputation, Mom. Those flowers were probably morethanks for a good timethanI got you these because I like you.” She really wanted this conversation over and done with. Why couldn’t a customer walk in right now? Surely, if the universe was sending signals out to her, she could send her own signals asking for intervention.

“Stop interrupting. Yes, I’m aware of his so-called reputation. You, more than anyone else, knows how everyone loves to gossip in this town. Who’s to say that half of what the townspeople think about Tate is just exaggeration and speculation? That boy is a hard worker and you know it. He stepped up to take over all the workings of the farm when Trenton had his stroke. Do you think a man who is so busy putting notches in his bedpost would step up to the plate like that? There’s more to that man than what you see on the surface.”

A beat of silence passed between them. “Oh, I’m supposed to answer that? I thought you told me to stop interrupting.” She softened her words with a big grin.

“I guess I left myself open for that.” Mom laughed and tapped Kelly on the nose with one of the discarded roses.

“You kinda did, but yes, I have to agree that maybe his reputation is all talk now, but there have been many a time I’ve seen him at Silver Spurs with a different girl on his arm each time.”

“I’m not condoning it, but he’s young. He should be playing the field.”

“See!” Kelly exclaimed. “You agree that he’s young.”

Mom shook her head. “You really need to let go of the age issue. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. You’re well aware that I was older than your father.”

Kelly hadn’t forgotten that, but the age difference between Mom and Dad was one year, not five, like it was between her and Tate. She wisely kept her mouth shut, though.