“I don’t think Dad loved anyone,” Angie replied. “I think he had kids because it was expected. He did all the things a family of our station is supposed to do. Take good pictures. Go to church. Raise strong sons and obedient, marginalized daughters. I want a career, Mom. I want something to fall back on.”
This was something she could do for her daughter. “I’m setting up a trust for you. It’s exactly what your father set up for Cal, and would have set up for Wes on his twenty-fifth birthday.”
Angie went still. “Are you serious? That was millions of dollars.”
Millions of dollars that would keep her daughter safe from having to make the same hard decisions she had. “Yes. Sometimes I think your father’s early passing was a miracle.”
“I know Cal thinks that way. The idea of having everything dumped in his lap would have sent Cal running. I’m fairly certain if Dad had changed his will, Cal would have handed everything right back to you.” She reached out, putting a hand on Celeste’s shoulder. “Mom, I think all of this is great. I do. I’m just surprised.”
“I think the last few years sent me reeling, but having Harry here, well, like I said, I’ve been reminded I wasn’t always this woman.”
“But I think we should be careful around Sera,” Angie said, pulling away. “She’s got a kid. I wouldn’t want the child to get hurt.”
“I don’t think Sera’s bringing the baby to the wedding events, if that’s what you’re worried about. Harry says she’s been careful about introducing him to her son.” Though it looked like the couple was taking a leap tonight. Unless they were going into New Orleans for the night, but that wasn’t the impression she’d had.
“That’s not what I meant. I meant it seems like it’s far too early for anyone to get close to that child,” Angie said, her tone going stubborn. “No one knows if it’s going to work out between the two of them. They should wait to bring the kid into it until they’re sure, and even then, I think it would be best if you didn’t get close to him. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Well, I didn’t offer to babysit.” She wasn’t sure where this was coming from. She’d barely ever mentioned Sera’s son. She wasn’t sure she remembered the child’s name. “I’ve already talked to Harry about the fact that the child’s father could return at some point and cause trouble. He didn’t seem to think that would be a problem.”
Angie mumbled something under her breath about the least of their problems, but when she turned, there was a grim look on her face. “I’m only trying to think about that kid. I can’t imagine what it must be like to get to know a bunch of men who disappear from his life. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Do you know something I don’t? From what I’ve heard, Sera’s only dated one man since she had her baby, and she never introduced them. I’ve heard the man is a roughneck, so she’s probably better off. I don’t know. Maybe that’s a wonderful way to live. I know there were times I wished your father had spent months on an oil rig and not at home. Honey, I don’t think you should worry about this. Once we get through all the wedding craziness, I suspect she won’t be around much. I’ve heard she’s thinking of selling and moving to Houston.”
She was starting to hope that wouldn’t happen, especially if it meant losing Harry.
“That might be for the best. There’s a lot of work in Houston.” Angie nodded as though the idea pleased her.
Was her daughter getting jealous of Harry? Angie had spent so much of her childhood shoved to the side in favor of her brothers, and Celeste knew she was guilty of that, too. She slid an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “Come on. Cal should be here soon. Let’s talk about your career. You know I wouldn’t mind having you at Beaumont Oil.”
The smile on her daughter’s face was worth everything. She let her worries go as the door came open again and Cal walked in.
Her little family was all right. It was all she could hope for.chapter twelveHarry watched from the doorway to Luc’s room as Sera kissed her son’s head and placed him in his bed.
“Hey, is it okay if he stays in here?” He gestured down to Shep, who had been sitting quietly at her feet while she read Luc a bedtime story and sang a song to help him sleep. It had been a soft moment that he’d wanted to be a part of, but he’d hung back because she’d given him a lot tonight.
Shep had been patiently waiting at the door when they’d come back from dinner. Delphine had told them the dog had watched at the window until they’d returned.