Chapter Twenty-Two
Rosie
Her daughter was hiding something. It was not the first time she had received that impression. And whatever it was, Sylvia
knew the details.
“What was that really about? What does Emma need to tell me? And don’t make up some BS story about giving me her itinerary
for the day.”
Her mother gave her an innocent look that didn’t fool Rosie for an instant. Sylvia was a lousy liar.
“Just as we said. We were talking about Emma and Olive’s hike. They will have to enjoy the beach on my behalf, too. I’m afraid
it’s going to be a long time before I’ll be able to do any hiking,” she said, her features suddenly morose.
Was her mother trying to distract her by reminding her about her injuries? She wouldn’t put anything past her.
Rosie frowned. “The doctor says you’re healing very well. You told me he thinks you’ll be able to start weight-bearing again
in a few weeks.”
“Well, if you want me to, I can milk this injury longer, especially if it keeps our Emma and Olive here.”
Rosie sent a swift look to her mother. “Is that what you’ve been doing?”
Sylvia gave her a mischievous look. “The doctor said a week ago that I could start putting weight on my ankle again.”
No. She wanted more time to convince her daughter to stay!
Some of her distress must have been clear on her features.
Sylvia covered her fingers with her hand. “You know, we don’t need to use my ankle injury as an excuse to keep Olive and Emma here.”
“I’m not so sure of that.”
“When you first told me you wanted to ask Emma to stay while my ankle healed, I felt like you were putting me out to pasture.
After she arrived, I realized what a brilliant idea it was. She and her daughter need to be here.”
“I agree.”
“She seems to be doing a great job. All my friends are buzzing about the changes she’s making at the bookstore. I need to
get down there myself and see them.”
“Are you . . . upset that she’s changing things?”
Sylvia made a face. “Why would I be upset? That place needed shaking up. If she’s got the energy for it, more power to her.
I’m more than happy to step back and give her a chance to shine.”
“I’m not pushing you out, Mom,” Rosie said carefully. “I’m so grateful for all your help. You’ve kept the bookstore going
all this time and I can never thank you enough.”
“Don’t be silly. I loved it. Who wouldn’t love working at a bookstore?” Sylvia said. “Maybe after a few months, I’ll see if
Emma might be willing to give me a job there, just for fun. That way I can take time when I want to travel, without all the
responsibility.”
Had she been holding her mother back all this time from doing what she wanted by asking her to run the bookstore? She should
have sold The Rainy Day Bookshop years ago but her mother would never hear of it whenever Rosie brought it up.
“If I worked there a few afternoons a week, I could still hang out with customers, which is my favorite part. I could do without any of the management responsibility. I’m more than happy to pass all that nonsense along to Emma.”
Rosie felt a deep relief. She had been trying to figure out how to gently talk to her mother about her desire to keep Emma
there longer than the summer.
“I love you, Mom. I know I don’t tell you that nearly often enough.”
“I love as you as well, my dear,” Sylvia said, taking another bite of her crepe.
Their relationship had not always been easy. Sylvia had argued long and hard against her marrying Gary at such a young age
and tying herself down to one place. Rosie knew she carried some lingering resentment for that as well as for the nomadic
nature of her childhood that prevented her from establishing any roots.
Still, she always knew her mother had her best interests at heart. Just as Rosie had Emma’s.
She frowned, remembering what had started their conversation. “I really wish you would tell me what you and Emma were talking
about.”
Sylvia looked unconcerned. “And I wish I could still do the splits. Too bad we can’t always have what we want.”
She sighed, recognizing her mother’s obstinacy.
She wanted to ask Emma again when she and Olive came back downstairs while Rosie was clearing up the kitchen, but she didn’t
have the nerve. She didn’t want to risk anything that would damage the fragile peace they had built.
“We’re going on our hike,” Olive announced, looking exactly as Emma had at her age, feisty and adorable.
“I hope you have a wonderful time,” Rosie said, drying her hands so she could hug her granddaughter.
She had a fleeting wish that she had changed her mind and agreed to go with them, but she quickly squelched it for the same reasons as before. She really did need to weed her garden and Emma needed time alone with her daughter.
“Maybe we will find some shells. I want to find a purple one.”
“I hope you do.” She hugged her again and then on impulse hugged her daughter. Physical affection had been limited between
them since Emma’s return. Rosie hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her daughter by being too effusive in her affection.
As she felt Emma hug her back, first awkwardly and then more genuinely, her heart seemed to give a happy little flip. She
could not ask for anything more than to have these two people she loved so much back in her life on a daily basis.
She would do whatever necessary to keep them close.