“How are Sally and Austin handling things?” Mom asked.
I thought about how much his mom had put into the changes needed for Mel. “She is doing everything he needs and then some. She tried before, but Mel wasn’t too thrilled about it. I think now that he’s gotten a second warning, he’s willing to let her do her thing. Sally loves it, though.” I paused and licked my lips. “Austin is still here. He had worked with the doctors and even had one come in from New York, Mom. Can you believe that? He didn’t think that a small-town hospital would be up to par with the city, but it turns out that Mel is under fine care here.”
“He is just doing the best that he knows how, sweetheart. Men aren’t always the emotional types, but he knows that he can do other things for his father. I remember how much Austin took care of you back when y
ou were both in school. I know that Mel is in good hands with that boy.” She was right about Austin. He always did take the best care of me, and I used to call him overprotective most of the time. Dad was always right there, supporting him in that, making me miss the two of them at this moment.
“I suppose so. It’s just so much money, and he seems to always be working for more. He’s getting his parents some help with that big yard of theirs, though. Mel’s had a hard time not getting out there to work on things. And Austin took care of all of the medical bills and even the new prescription that is supposed to do wonders for his dad.”
“Maybe Austin worked so hard for his parents,” Mom said. “As well as all the other reasons. Maybe he wanted to take care of them the way his father did with him and his mom. They had a great life and look at how wonderful Austin turned out to be. They have to be so proud of him,” Mom gushed. I knew all too well how good he’d turned out because I was in love with him. “Have you seen a lot of him over the last few weeks?”
“Oh, Mama.” I sighed, feeling like an awkward teenager all over again. “I’m seeing him all the time. We’re back together now.”
“I knew that Kim was hiding something from me!” Mom told me. She spoke to Kim a lot more frequently than she did with me the last several days, especially with the news about the library. “She told me the basics but nothing about this. That’s wonderful. Are you guys anything like you used to be?”
“I think we’re better. I’m not sure, though, with everything going on. I don’t know what he wants from me.”
“What do you mean?” Mom asked.
I tried to think of the words to convey my feelings. “He still lives in New York, Mama. Austin even brought an assistant here with him to help work on stuff over the holidays. I know that Austin is here right now, but what if he goes back? I’m settled here.” I stopped and thought about something that I’d wanted to ask her for a long time. “Why did you leave North Reed with Daddy?”
“Oh, sweetie. You do things for love that you don’t always expect. When your dad retired and was told that he needed a warmer climate for his breathing issues, I listened. We found a place that we could love, and I came here for him. I can’t imagine life without that man at my side. It’s been an adjustment, and I miss you and your sister, but when he’s happy and healthy, then I am content. That’s what love is. Have you talked with Austin about this?”
“I’m scared to. I already watched him walk away once, and it nearly broke me. What if he does it again?” I felt the familiar fear fill my body.
“Sweetie, talk to him,” she urged me. “You shouldn’t hold all of this in and sabotage it before it’s even over. When your father told me he needed to move for his health, I was scared. I knew North Reed, the people, and just the way life there. I had no surprises. The idea of moving made me worry about you girls and what might happen, but we talked about it. He assured me that you were grown up now and would be fine in this town that we loved for so long. He was right. You are both doing wonderfully. I love it here now, apart from some of the hot weather, but there are ways around that. We have a good group of friends here and a good life.”
“You do seem very happy,” I agreed.
She laughed at the other end. “He didn’t have anyone serious in New York who he was dating, did he? I never heard about his getting married or anything along those lines.”
I fought the urge to choke on my coffee. “No, nothing like that. He dated a lot of actresses and models. They were all so beautiful, Mama.” My voice sounded wistful. I dropped against the chair, comparing myself to them, yet again.
“So are you,” Mom said. “You are pretty all the way through, Rebecca, and have a heart of gold. Those girls have someone to do their hair and makeup before every picture, and I’ll bet that Austin would tell you that they’re nothing compared to you. It’s a different life there, and he’s got money. They’re going to try and get all of that. From what you’re telling me, he’s here and back with you. That tells me something.” Mom’s voice sounded optimistic and made me smile as I took in her words. “What scares you so bad about living somewhere else?”
“He lives in New York, Mama. I wouldn’t fit in there, at all.”
She laughed again. “There was probably a part of Austin that thought the same thing, Rebecca. He made it just fine, and no one would take care of you there like he would. It could give your father and me somewhere new to visit when the weather gets warmer out there.”
“Oh, Mama,” I said, laughing. “You’re terrible.”
“I learned something in this move, Rebecca. After getting married in Texas and raising you girls, I learned that I’m the same person here in Arizona that I was there. I was convinced that I’d be leaving some huge part of me behind, and while I left a little of my heart with you and your sister, I am still the same person here. The place is different, but I’m not. I’ve learned new things along the way, too. It wasn’t the end of the world like I expected it to be. Maybe you should consider that. You would brighten any place that you lived because you’re you.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks. I felt her love over the miles. “Thank you, Mama.”
“Do you love him?” she pressed gently.
I covered my mouth to hold in the sob rising in my throat. “Yes.” I wiped my eyes. “I love him so much.”
“If he’s anything like the Austin I knew, then he loves you as well. True love isn’t fleeting, Rebecca. If you love him that deeply, then you’re in it for the long haul. That doesn’t mean that you won’t have hard times in life, because you will. That’s a given. All that I’ve ever wanted for you girls was to find a good man and be happy. It doesn’t matter where you live. Think long term and not all about life right now in North Reed. You can succeed anywhere you want, sweetheart.”
“I’ve never cared about any man the way that I do for him,” I told her honestly.
She sighed at the other end. “Your father and I always liked Austin so much. Dad knew that he was going to be successful no matter what he chose to do, and it made him feel good that you’d be in his care. It shocked both of us when you decided to stay back in North Reed. I thought you’d follow Austin to the ends of the earth.”
“I did, too,” I told her as another tear slid down my cheek. “I regretted that choice.”
“Don’t regret any other ones, Rebecca. This is your second chance at love, and you have my support no matter what your decision is. That boy can love you no matter where you live.” I let all of her advice sink in. “Besides, I need some grandchildren to visit from one of you girls.”