44. Victoria
Chapter 44
Victoria
I n the two days since the fire, we’d settled into the cabin, though we were still trying to find a sense of normalcy. Already, I missed being in town. I missed chatting with the neighbors and walking wherever I needed to go.
But the mountain was beautiful, and Alice and Henri were the overprotective siblings I’d never had. I’d also gained several brothers and sisters in the form of the Heberts and their significant others, who were constantly checking in and bringing toys and treats for Tess.
Officer Fielder, Parker, and the FBI were working together. With any luck, there would be an arrest any day now. The post office next to our building had a surveillance camera that luckily hadn’t been damaged in the fire, and Denis, the pompous asshole he was, hadn’t even tried to hide the massive red gas can he carried as he approached not long before I woke to find my apartment on fire. Parker had warned that because his dad had many connections, the arrest warrant had to be perfect.
Though it made sense, that didn’t calm my anxiety. I needed this to be over. Only then could I breathe deeply again.
This morning, Noah had dragged me out to the Caffeinated Moose for coffee, scones, and social interaction. We sat at the big table in the window with Debbie, who was bouncing Tess on her knee while feeding her cookies, and Aunt Lou, who was cracking us up with tales of the senior hijinks at the assisted living facility.
Noah sat with his arm around me while we sipped our lattes, and I focused on regulating my senses.
All would be okay. We had each other, and the lumberjack festival had been a huge success. Once we made it through the next couple of days, I had a host of exciting things to look forward to at work.
Whatever happened, we’d navigate it together.
Just as my heart rate was leveling out again, the bell over the door jingled.
On instinct, I looked up. Instantly, I regretted it. The sight of my mother and Alex and Graham was enough to make me feel like I might throw up.
Mom and Alex were fully made up and accessorized, even though it wasn’t even nine a.m., and Graham looked dressed for a golf tournament.
I silently prayed for a diversion so I could run out the back door. They were the last people on earth I wanted to see.
My mother marched straight over to us, her expression thunderous.
“What’s this I hear about a fire?” She put her hands on her hips. “You couldn’t be bothered to pick up the phone and tell your mother you’d been in a fire?”
“My phone didn’t make it out of the fire, Mom. And I’m okay. Thanks for asking.”
She shook her head, “Great. But we still have to discuss the incident the other night.” She lowered her voice. “Your father and I were so embarrassed.”
My heart sank. I shouldn’t be surprised that my mother cared less about my physical safety than she did about my public humiliation. Maybe one day I’d stop hoping she’d love me the way other mothers loved their children.
Before I could formulate a response, Noah was on his feet.
“Mrs. Randolph, I have no idea what crawled up your ass, but your daughter is an incredible person. The judgmental looks, the snide remarks, and the constant hand-wringing are no longer welcome in her life. You should be ashamed of yourself and of the way you behave toward your daughter.”
Eyes bulging, Alex rubbed her rounded belly. “Who do you think you are?”
Noah turned slowly to face her, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“I’m the man who intends to marry her.”
My heart lurched and my mouth went dry.
Graham gasped and took a step back.
“Upgrade,” Aunt Lou whispered a little too loudly.
“That is, if she’ll even consider getting married again. You”—he pointed at Graham—“ruined that institution for her, so thanks for that, you feckless prick.”
I was pretty sure my jaw had hit the floor. Noah was typically easygoing and silly. I’d never seen this take-no-shit version of him. Usually, my family’s behavior made me feel small and insignificant. But right now I felt powerful. I was done with their shitty treatment.
Alex huffed. “Don’t talk to my husband like that.”
“And you? You better hope you’re half the mother Vic is. She’s done nothing but nurture my daughter and show love, kindness, and devotion to her since the day we met. Caring for others is her superpower. She can’t bear the suffering of any child. Did you know that she doesn’t pay herself? She’s working her ass off for free so she can devote every penny to feeding hungry people. Tell me, what was the last selfless thing you did?”
He cocked a brow. When she didn’t respond, he chuckled darkly.
Mom lifted her chin. “This is none of your business.”
Noah didn’t stop. He acted as though she hadn’t spoken. “All she asks for in return is your respect and a little kindness. And you can’t even be bothered to give her that.”
Alex’s face was beet red and her hands were clenched. For a moment, I worried she’d punch him square in the face.
It was about time someone told her off.
Standing beside Noah, I was hit with a rush of bravery.
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I said. “But I can fight my own battles.”
“Victoria,” Mom seethed, her eyes hard. “How can you let this man speak to us this way?”
“Mom, I’m done.” I shrugged.
People were staring, but I didn’t care. After what I’d been through, the last thing I needed was my mother’s bullshit.
“I’ve spent my life trying to impress you, trying to live up to the family name. Trying to be the perfect daughter. I know now that I’ll never be what you want me to be. The good news is that you already have two of those daughters. So you can leave me alone.”
Mom’s face pinched. “You’ve always been such a disappointment.”
Normally, those words would gut me. Today, they didn’t even register. I no longer needed her approval.
“You’re the disappointment.” I breathed deeply and pulled my shoulders back. “After all these years, you’re still insecure and superficial. You’ve pushed me away and you’ve pushed Alexandra and Elizabeth into miserable marriages. You ignore your grandkids and spend all your energy chasing status. It’s a shame all your money can’t buy any self-awareness.”
My mother scoffed.
“Please leave,” I said. “This is my home, my town, and my family.”
Behind me, a chair scraped across the floor, then another and another.
Aunt Lou appeared at my side, with her cane ready to strike.
Debbie stood on Noah’s other side, holding Tess.
Father Renee joined us, along with Mrs. Dupont, Chip, and Mr. Moran, who’d driven the school bus when I was a kid.
They were all standing with me.
Avoiding eye contact, Graham took Alex by the arm and led her out. My mother sniffed, then followed.
Once the door closed behind them, the whole shop erupted in applause.
Noah looped his arms around my waist and spun me around.
“I’m so proud of you.” He pressed a loud kiss to my cheek.
One by one, the people around me patted my back. All I could do was beam up at the man I loved. I felt lighter than ever. I’d pushed through a big barrier today. My mother’s voice had lived rent-free in my head my entire life, constantly putting me down and convincing me I wasn’t good enough.
But no longer.
“Did you mean what you said?” I whispered. “About getting married.”
“Fuck yeah, I did. When you’re ready, of course. I want you to be my wife. And I want you to be Tess’s mom.”
As a tidal wave of emotion hit me, I buried my face in his chest and held on tight.
Falling in love with Noah hadn’t been easy or convenient. But it was inevitable. We’d forged a bond that went so much deeper than anything I knew was possible.
In the deepest recesses of my soul, I knew he was my person. My endgame. The life we built together would be messy and imperfect, but it would be full of love.