"I was too young to have a child," Rhona whined, "I wasn't mature enough or responsible enough, but that's all changed now. Ma."
"The only change I see is you put on som
e weight."
"I did not! I just compared myself to the picture Echo has of me when I was eighteen and even Skeeter says he can't see any difference."
"What picture?"
"The one she has on her dresser. She hasn't forgotten me. She still loves and needs me."
Mrs. Westington was quiet. Echo's secret was a little betrayal in her eyes. I was sure, but she had to understand and not be upset about it.
"I'll think about it," she relented.
"Thanks. Ma. That's all we hoped you would do."
"I doubt that. If you're going to stay here a while, you check your lies at the door. girl."
"I'm sorry, Ma. I'll behave. I promise. Skeeter and I will start looking for a good potential property right away, won't we. Skeeter,"
"Tomorrow morning, first thing." he said.
"I said I'd think about it. I didn't say I would do it," Mrs. We reminded them.
"Some of the money you have belongs to me anyway. Ma. Daddy wouldn't have just left me out of it all. I'm sure."
"Oh, are you? Well. I have some terrible news for you. Rhona. You never took any interest in this place, in the winery and in our business, but the truth of it was I was the one in charge of all that. Your father was a good talker, loved to be out there in the fields with Trevor, but when it came to finances, he was lazy and indifferent. He even came to me for his daily spending money. I was the one who set up the will and the estate with my lawyers and my accountant and he signed everything I told him to sign, so don't think for a moment you can come here threatening me with legal actions of any kind. You'll be sorrily disappointed."
"I'm not threatening you. Ma. I'm grateful for what you just did for us. I mean me, and what happened to me woke me up. That's why I decided it was time for me to take on my responsibilities and why I returned."
"We'll see," Mrs. Westington said.
"I see that there is still some wine being made here."'
"That's not me; it's Trevor's doing and I don't approve of the waste of time. It's a hobby for him, more than anything else." she admitted. "We don't make any real money on it, so don't get your hopes up about it."
"oh, we're not looking to do anything with the winery. I just thought it would be interesting for Skeeter to see. right. Skeeter?"
"Absolutely. I love good wine."
"yes, I imaine you're a real sommelier," Mrs. Westington said.
"What?"
"Never mind. I'm tired and need some rest," Mrs. Westington said. "We took Echo shopping at a mall today to get her some clothes and other things she needed, things children normally have mothers for."
"You've done wonders with her. Ma. Don't think I don't appreciate it."
"I didn't do anything for you."
"She's so big," Rhona continued, ignoring her, "She's becoming beautiful. too. She looks a lot like you did when you were her age."
"You know what I think of false flattery,
"I mean it. Ma. I'll show you some pictures of my mother when she was young and you decide. Skeeter. Are the albums still in Dad's old office?"
"I'm surprised you remember where anything is in this house," Mrs. Westington said, her voice sounding tired. defeated.