Page 92 of On the Rocks

She sighed. “I mean, before I fell in love with your father, there was another man who had my interest. And I had his. I would say we were in love… but, it’s not the same love I had with your father. It was younger, wilder, not as steady.”

“Did Dad know?”

She smiled. “He did. He didn’t want to know much, to be honest. But I told him, just because I wanted to be honest with him.”

I nodded, wondering why she was telling me this after all these years.

“When your father and I announced our engagement, that other man came back into my life. It had been years,” she said, her eyes distant, a sad smile on her face. “And he’d been dating someone else… someone I was close with before. But, when he heard about your Dad and me, he came to me. He confessed his love, and he begged me not to get married.”

My jaw fell slack. “Wow. Did Dad know aboutthat?”

She chuckled. “He did. I told him when it happened, but again, he didn’t want to know much. That was the special thing about your father. I was always open with him, and he was always trusting of me. I think that’s how I knew our love was real. There was no jealousy, no fear of being betrayed. We just… we justknew.We were a fact, you know?”

My heart squeezed. “Yeah. I know.”

Mom smiled my way. “Anyway, the reason I’m telling you this is that… there was a part of me — a very,verysmall part — that still had feelings for that man. I did. And I knew it was wrong, but when he came to me, I was faced with all those old emotions that we’d had together. And if I weren’t stronger, if the love between your father and me wasn’t as it was, I might have fallen. I might have given into him and done something I would have regretted.” She paused. “But, as it was, I told him I was happy with your father and that he should leave me alone. Not just for now, but forever.”

I swallowed. “Which is exactly what Ruby Grace said to me.”

Mom sighed, gently nodding. “Yes. And I know it hurts to hear, Son. I know it does. And maybe she reallyisyour first love. But, our first love doesn’t usually tend to be our last. We learn from it, grow from it, and move forward. And I think that’s what you have to do here.”

My chest twisted, head shaking involuntarily. I didn’t want that. It was the absolute last thing I felt like I could do — walk away from her — even if it was the right thing to do.

“I know you don’t want to hear that,” Mom said. “But, the way I see it, whether she cares about you or not, she obviously cares about Anthony more. She’s still engaged to him, regardless of what happened between them. That tells me she wants to work on it with him. She wants to see this through. And if you love her — if youtrulylove her — you will respect that wish, and you will leave her be.”

“If you love them, let them fly, huh?”

Mom’s smile was soft, apologizing. “Something like that.”

She reached over to grab my hand again, squeezing it once before she stood and clapped her hands together. “Now, I have peach cobbler inside, and you’re not allowed to leave until you eat at least one piece.”

“Mom…”

“Ah!” she said, holding up one finger as she turned her back to me. “No excuses, Noah Emmanuel. Inside. Now.”

I smirked, shaking my head as I stood. And before Mom could open the screen door, I called out to her.

She turned, and in that moment, I swore I saw Dad standing next to her — maybe as a memory from long ago.

“Thank you,” I said, holding my arms open.

She smiled, eyes glossing over as she stepped into my embrace. She rocked me like she had all my life, and I kissed her forehead, releasing her on a sigh.

“Always, baby boy,” she said, reaching up to pinch my cheek. “Always. Now, come on. Pie awaits.”

Jordan watched me a little too carefully as we ate pie at the dinner table, Logan filling Mom in on the latest from the distillery. I gave him what I could in terms of a reassuring smile, and he just nodded in understanding.

I’m here, he was saying.

I know,I said back.

As much as my stomach protested, I choked down Mom’s pie — along with the advice she’d given me. It was the absolute last thing I wanted to hear, and part of me hoped she’d say something else.

Fight for her!

Object at the wedding!

Steal the bride!