Chapter Twelve #3
She shakes her head. “I was scared for sure. I don’t think I really thought about that until now.
Mike never laid a finger on me. He wasn’t abusive in that sense at all, but I don’t think I realized until it was too late that there are different types of abuse.
He wasn’t always careful with his words, and he lived under the belief that he was the provider, which meant I stayed home and did everything else.
My life was cooking, cleaning, raising kids, and looking pretty.
There was no other option for me, and I had moments of yearning when I craved something more with every fiber of my being.
He was quick to remind me it was his money, not mine.
I had no access to his bank account. He gave me a small allowance for the children and some money for food, and that was it.
I knew if I left, I’d be homeless, and he would take the children from me easily.
And so, right or wrong, I stayed and closed my eyes to anything that might bring my crumbling house down faster. ”
“Self-preservation is a powerful motivator. So is putting your own children’s happiness above your own. After knowing what he did to the Palmers, I have no doubt his fragile ego would have meant he’d have been even harsher with you, if only to teach you a lesson about a woman’s place.”
“It breaks my heart that you paid the ultimate price for it all.”
“I have plenty more years left in me to build the life I always dreamed of, and I have that chance now because my father is gone.” Kinda. “I have the ranch, and I get to turn it into something more, something different that I think my mom would have been proud of.”
“And something that would make your father roll in his grave?” she muses with a twinkle in her eye as she takes a sip of her drink.
“Oh, that’s just a bonus,” I admit, making her laugh.
“And what about boys? I know you haven’t been out long, but you know what small towns are like. I’ve heard you have a very handsome suitor living with you and that you also caught the sheriff’s eye. And don’t think I didn’t spot that hunk of deliciousness in the driver’s seat just now.”
I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment, though I have no clue why. I’m not ashamed of my actions, just unsure of them. I don’t know how to navigate the attention of one man, let alone three.
“I say good for you. You deserve a life filled with adventure and excitement. Oh, I wish I had gotten the chance myself, but times were different back then.”
“So what about now?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You’re beautiful, Jackie. You always were. I know for a fact you’d have a dozen suitors if you put yourself out there.”
She presses her hand to her throat, her voice dropping as she leans forward. “I got it so wrong before, I’m not sure I can trust my judgment.”
“Getting it wrong just means you learned valuable lessons. Now you won’t settle for anything but the best. But there is nothing wrong with having fun along the way. After all, how will you know which one to buy if you don’t try a few out first?”
She gasps and laughs again. It’s loud and filled with joy, and it helps another restless part of me settle into place.
She grabs the package and pulls it to her chest. “Well, this will help. Your creations always did contain a little magic.” She winks.
She doesn’t confirm or deny anything, but I have a feeling she knows exactly what I am.
I have to question if it’s an open secret around these parts.
And then I get it—the animosity toward me. People knew about me. Maybe not me specifically, but my ancestors. And people fear what they don’t know. Holy crap, I’m so dumb not to put that together before.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I think I just had some kind of epiphany.”
She gives me a small smile. “I think you’ll end up with a few more of those before you truly settle.
This town is full of secrets and revelations, and unfortunately, you’re at the heart of it.
Know this, though—hearts change, just like opinions.
People grow and shed the former image of themselves.
None of us dies as the same person we were born.
We learn, we grow, and we adapt. The best of us seeks forgiveness and redemption. ”
“And the rest?” I think of my father.
“They get what’s coming to them. Karma never forgets.
It has a way of circling back and tipping the scales when most people have forgotten to be wary.
Now…” She gets to her feet as I finish off my lemonade.
“You have a handsome man waiting for you outside. You don’t need to be wasting your day in here with me. ”
I chuckle and get to my feet, feeling lighter. I have to give Austin and his big head credit, but hand-delivering these things was a really good idea.
“Thank you for the lemonade.”
“Anytime—”
“What the hell is going on here?”
We both turn and find Andrews standing in the kitchen doorway with a face of thunder. And just like that, all the light gets sucked out of the room as Jackie’s shoulders fall.