Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Madison
I never thought about the day I’d end up burying Mom, but if I compared it to my dad and my brother, it was almost unfair that she got the nicest weather. Scott’s funeral had been in the middle of winter, and the only word I’d use to describe my dad’s autumn funeral was gray. Today, white wisps of clouds streaked across the cornflower-blue sky. Flowers were in full bloom at the cemetery.
The rest of my family had been cremated and interred in the columbarium at the oldest cemetery in Bourbon Canyon. Since they’d all shunned church as much as any other official establishment, we were only holding a small service at the cemetery.
I hadn’t expected anyone to show. Wendi hadn’t picked up her phone, so I’d had to text her the news and then the details. She’d never replied.
Ten days ago, I’d had the best night of my life. I’d been dancing with Teller in the glow of his headlights, ready to tell him that what I felt for him was so much stronger than a simple “I love you” that I couldn’t trust it. I thought I’d been in love before and it’d been a lie.
Today, I had changed out of jeans once again, into a long floral skirt and a nice blue blouse. My hair was up in a thick bun. I’d almost worn jeans, but I didn’t need anyone gossiping about another redneck Townsend funeral.
I was sitting beside the columbarium with its four rows of lockers. My dad and brother were on the other side. Mom would be situated on the end, flanked by an old mayor she’d cursed at two or three times. Below her was one of the residents from the nursing home who’d had dementia. At least Mom had left him alone. Above her was the former bank president who’d bullied them until they’d paid off the mortgage.
I didn’t have a mortgage. I’d never have one once the money from the house sale left escrow.
The funeral director, Stanley, checked his watch. He’d been a dick when I’d had to deal with him for Scott’s death, but Teller’s presence had softened his personality.
I shouldn’t need Teller with me to get some respect in this goddamn town.
“You mind if we get started?” he asked Teller.
Teller tipped his head toward me. “It’s not up to me, Stan.”
Stan had the grace to look abashed. “Yes, apologies. Madison?”
I had expected a nonexistent gathering, but I’d hoped that Wendi would bring Logan. I didn’t want to be alone. Selfish, but there it was. I’d cut Mom off and then she’d died. Probably out of spite. She’d known my soft heart and exploited it to the end.
Yet... her death hadn’t been expected. I’d pulled my hair out trying to figure out how to care for her. I’d had a plan. I was close to having the money. Mom could’ve gone anywhere for long-term living. But she was gone. Leaving me torn between the dutiful daughter who should love her mom and the girl who’d been hurt more times than she could count.
Did I mind if we got started?
Yes. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to be sad about my mom around people who only knew her as a cranky bitch.
To be fair, I only knew her as a cranky bitch.
I looked around. Mae Bailey was on my left, and Ruby was next to her. The others had asked about coming, but I’d wanted to keep it small. Less embarrassing that way if I ended up crying over a mean woman. Instead, I was opening the bar afterward for a small reception. It’d be a soft opening of sorts. I wouldn’t take money though. I just wanted the company.
A car door shut and we all turned around.
Oh my god.
My ex-husband was frowning at me from the other side of a BMW. What had happened to his pickup? Damien slid his sunglasses down his nose and his gaze jumped to Teller, then down to where Teller’s arm was wrapped behind me.
Wendi got out, and her red lips tugged down. Her blond-highlighted hair tumbled with large curls. She flipped the tresses over her shoulder and opened the back door for Logan to scramble out. He had his mom’s fine features and light-brown hair.
I stood up, unsure what to do. Anxiety twisted in my stomach. All I knew was that I wanted to hug my nephew. “Logan. Hey.” I was about to walk around the few empty chairs on the other side of Teller, but Logan shrank against Wendi.
Ouch. Okay. He hadn’t seen me in a while and he was only four years old.
“Wendi,” I said. “Damien.” My tone flattened more than the road through the cemetery. “Thanks for coming.”
Wendi’s brows lifted at Teller and Mae. Her gaze skipped over Ruby, swinging back to Teller. The breeze fluttered the skirt of her pink summer dress.
She slid her hand over Logan’s narrow shoulders. “Teller. Mae. What a surprise.”
Damien nodded to Teller. What had my ex heard about his girlfriend’s ex?
Teller ignored them and gave me an Are you okay? look.
I didn’t know, but I flashed the smallest of smiles. I wasn’t bothered by Damien and Wendi, but I was a stranger to my nephew. He was my only remaining family.
“We were just about to start,” I said to them. “Come have a seat.”
I wouldn’t be like Mom. Not today.
The corner of Wendi’s mouth curled up, but she nudged Logan. Damien went around the car to fall into step with her. She came to his chin with her tall wedge heels. He eventually outpaced them to be the one to sit by Teller.
For once, he’d done something that gave me comfort. On a good day, I wasn’t secure enough to have Wendi and her long, tanned legs right next to Teller. Today was not a good day.
The service was quick. I’d told Stanley I wouldn’t tolerate any slander about Mom. This wasn’t the day to be passive-aggressive. Whether he’d listened to me or hadn’t wanted to upset the Baileys, I’d never be sure, but he was polite enough, saying the most neutral things about Mom and concentrating more on the family moving on after death.
I was the only family. And my nephew. I tried to peek at him, but he was sitting the farthest away.
Once it wrapped up, Stanley left as soon as possible.
Mae pulled me in for one of her warm, gentle hugs. “Are you sure you still want us at Flatlanders?”
“Absolutely.” I’d be grateful not to sit in an empty bar all night pondering a future of running it.
Ruby crowded in after Mae. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. Thanks for coming.”
“Okay. We’ll see you at Flatlanders. Tenor’s picking up some munchies, but Scarlett made a batch of lemonade.” Her gaze strayed to the side. I didn’t have to look to know Damien and Wendi were there.
Teller’s heat seeped into me. “Cruz and Lane are bringing some sandwiches, and the others will fill in the rest.”
It’d be a proper reception. The family Mom had hated most were the only ones who’d put in an effort for her.
Ruby gave me one last squeeze and I closed my eyes, soaking up the support, fortifying myself for making nice with my ex-sister-in-law.
Ruby and Mae walked toward the road. Teller slipped an arm around me.
“The reception’s at Flatlanders?” Wendi asked, her tone brimming with impatience.
“Yes. You’re all welcome.” I twisted my hands together but leaned more into Teller’s hard side. “No need to bring anything. The Baileys have it covered.” I couldn’t help myself.
The tic under Wendi’s cheek made it worth it. So did the grinding of Damien’s jaw.
I tried to catch my nephew’s eye, but he was frowning at his shoes. “Wait’ll you try Scarlett’s cherry lemonade, Logan.”
He ignored me and looked at his mom.
Was this the kid I used to give piggyback rides to?
I searched his face for my brother, but his eyes were light like his mom’s, and his default expression was petulant like hers too. Damien put his hand on Logan’s shoulder.
“I have a stop to make first,” Wendi said with a sniff. “Riley’s showing us a property she wants to rent. Then we’ll be there.”
“See you soon.” I wound my arm around Teller’s waist, and together, we walked toward his pickup.
“Jesus,” he said in my ear, tickling my hair. “Was that as awkward as it felt?”
“Ten times more,” I murmured back.
He chuckled as we reached his pickup. He opened the passenger door for me. When I slid into the seat, he leaned in. “Are you doing okay?”
I peeked over his shoulder. Damien and Wendi were furtively glancing at us while they walked to their car.
I stroked his beard. It wasn’t for show. I craved the connection. If it had been appropriate, I would’ve sat on his lap during the service. “I’m really glad I decided not to wear jeans.”
He gave me a quick kiss. “I mourn every time you have to put on clothes.”
I was grinning when he closed the door. And I didn’t miss the dirty look Wendi shot in my direction.