“Yeah, okay.” He led her off the dance floor and back to their table. “Mrs. Griffin, may I have the pleasure?”

  Her mama stood, bathed in the glow of the moment.

  Lindsay took the opportunity to make her escape. She headed for the back door.

  Outside, the air was cool and the stars overhead bright.

  She wrapped her arms around her shoulders, relishing the chill. Almost immediately, her panic symptoms receded.

  “Hey, there.” Jess appeared out of nowhere. “What’s wrong? You okay?”

  She nodded, unbidden tears forming. “I—I couldn’t—breathe in there.”

  Jess removed his jacket, wrapped it around her shoulders. “Here, just close your eyes. Think of good things. Sunshine overhead and powder beneath your feet.” His voice was soothing.

  She found herself wishing she didn’t have to go back inside, that instead she could just stare into the star-filled night and listen to his voice.

  “I—I think I’m making a mistake,” she told him.

  “Then don’t marry him.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t marry him, Lindsay.”

  “What’s going on out here?” Her mother’s voice was like a rock breaking through glass. “Lindsay, what’s going on?”

  Lindsay tried to form a cogent appeal as she stepped forward. “I didn’t feel very well,” she muttered.

  From the razor look in her eyes, her mother wasn’t buying it.

  Lindsay glanced over her shoulder. Her gaze fell on Jess who was standing watching them.

  “Uh, if you could excuse me—I need to get back to my duties,” he said as he brushed past them and headed for the door.

  She hadn’t known prior to the moment their eyes met on his way past her that your world could sometimes be found in another person’s face. He understood things that the others couldn’t, simply because he took the time to observe.

  Lindsay swallowed hard, battling something bubbling up within her that she couldn’t seem to force down. It was terrifying—she wasn’t ready—but there was no stopping what dared came out of her mouth.

  “I know you’re not ready to hear this, Mama . . . I love you. I really do—but I’m having doubts. About Tyler.”

  “Nonsense.” Her mother grabbed her arm, whispered angrily, “I don’t know what you are doing, young lady, but it stops now. This is not some game where you pass go and get another chance. Do you understand?”

  Lindsay’s eyes grew wide. She was shaken, already knowing she’d made a mistake in opening up to her mama. She’d been stupid to blurt out her feelings in the manner she had. The honesty was crippling.

  Her mother didn’t bother to hide how tightly she was controlling her own emotions. She simply moved her daughter toward the door. “Come inside. Everyone’s waiting.”

  Lindsay pulled back slightly. “Calm down, Mama,” she said, firmly. “I’m not going to make a scene tonight if that’s what you’re worried about. Nothing has been decided. But, we do need to talk . . . about a lot of things.”

  11

  Julia Griffin ripped the earrings from her lobes and tossed them on the bedside table. “You are not to see that boy again—understand?”

  Lindsay’s jaw tightened. While she loved her mother, she was no longer a little girl who could be ordered to obey. She moved for the bathroom, determined not to respond.

  “Excuse me, young lady. This is far too important to walk away from.”

  Lindsay felt her patience running thin. “It’s best if we leave this discussion alone for now, Mama. We’ve had a big night, it’s very late. Let’s just go to bed.” She again turned for the bathroom, her insides churning.

  Her mother grabbed her arm and whirled her around. “Lindsay, I forbid you to pursue any level of friendship with this Jess character. It’s nothing but foolishness, especially under the circumstances. In case you’ve forgotten, you are about to become Mrs. Tyler DeLuca.”

  She rolled her eyes, now angry. “Oh stop it Mama. It’s not at all what you are imagining. This isn’t about Jess. And I did not invite him to sit at our table. Tyler did.”

  Her mother’s hackles visibly rose. “Do not get smart with me.” She paced the room, hands on her hips. “Our situation is precarious. You know money is very limited.”

  “Of course I know. You remind me often.” She stiffened, determined to hold her ground. “Daddy’s earning income was hampered by his choices. As a government servant, he failed to build the kind of estate that would ensure our place in society after he was gone. And I am very lucky to have this card to play—to become a member of the DeLuca family. A move that would change our lot in life.” She fought back a light laugh. “Did I miss anything?”

  Her mother huffed. “I don’t understand you, Lindsay. This match isn’t only about social standing—you marrying well ensures our financial survival.”

  Lindsay grew furious. “How can you put that on my shoulders?”

  Her mother glared back. “Why are you being so selfish?”

  “I—I’m being selfish?” Her open hand pounded at her chest. “This is my life, Mama. Do you get that? It’s the only one I have. Who I spend it with is my decision—and only mine.” She couldn’t remember ever raising her voice to her mother, but she was too angry to censor her emotions. “Lately, I’ve noticed things that worry me. Tyler’s rapidly morphing into someone I don’t even know. His actions tonight reveal a warped sense of entitlement I’m not sure I want to be part of for the next forty plus years.”

  Her mother’s eyes sprouted tears. “Don’t say that! Do you want me to have to get some job? Maybe as a greeter at Walmart? That’s all I’m trained for,” she said, her voice choked. “Is that what you want?”

  Lindsay sighed. “Don’t be so dramatic. You have Grandma’s trust.”

  Her mother rubbed at her forehead. She took a deep breath. “Oh, baby. You don’t get it. How do you think I paid for your schooling? Your car?” She flung her arms wide. “This party and the upcoming wedding deposits. Where do you think my ability to pay for all that came from?”

  Lindsay swallowed against her tightening throat. “What are you saying?”

  Her mother picked up on Lindsay’s softening and went in for the kill. “With no way to replenish our finances, to get back on top of all this, I’ll go down.”

  Lindsay sunk to the sofa and vehemently shook her head. “I would never let that happen. I can work, you know.”

  “What about our house?” Her mother continued to pace. “Do you have any idea the amount it takes to keep up a place like that? Property that is on the historical register and has been in your father’s family for years?” She dragged her hand through her hair. “What about your daddy’s reputation? What will people say if they learn he died and left his wife and daughter without any financial means?”

  Her mother slid to the sofa and grabbed Lindsay’s hands. “Tyler loves you. You love him. I don’t understand the problem.”

  Lindsay looked away—closed her eyes. “I just want to be happy, Mama.”

  Her mother took her chin and raised her face to her own. “Listen to me, baby girl. A lifestyle like that Barnett boy embraces might sound glamorous, but it’s not. That carefree mode wears very thin after a while, when there’s no money to travel, to buy nice things, to lavish gifts on your children with unfettered restraint. Look down the road at a life with Tyler—to what that means.”

  “Choose carefully.” She rose. “Your future and that of your children depends on what you decide.” Her mother paused, wiped the wet from her cheek. “Life doesn’t come with a rewind button.”

  * * *

  Brooke and Abe sat on the sofa, a big bowl with only a few popcorn kernels left at the bottom wedged between them. An old Seinfeld episode played on the television mounted on the wall, which had been muted.

  “Are you kidding me?” Brooke asked, her eyes wide. “I can’t believe that Tyler guy actually said that? In front of everyone?”

  Abe nodded his head in agreement. “I agree, dude. That’s pretty messed up.”

  Jess ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure how to—well, I mean, the guy’s a class A jerk. Still, maybe I should have just—”

  “Oh, please,” Brooke interrupted. “What occurred at that table was not on your shoulders. Lindsay’s fiancé has horrible manners. I can’t believe he acted like that.”

  Abe shrugged. “Jealousy can make us guys do some stupid things.”

  Jess scowled. “Jealousy?”

  A grin sprouted on his buddy’s face. “Yeah. Think about it. His very pretty fiancé skips out on all the party happenings and goes skiing with some dude she’d just met. Someone he didn’t even know. Rattled him up a bit. It happens.”

  “Guess I hadn’t considered that” Jess admitted.

  “Still, it doesn’t excuse what he said. He was extremely rude—to you, and by extension to Lindsay.” Brooke took a deep breath. “And that scene here at the house the other night? Truth is, I can’t believe she’s engaged to that guy.” She turned to Abe, grabbed his hand. “If you ever treated me like that, it’d be over.”

  Abe moved the bowl and draped his arm around Brooke’s shoulder. “So noted.”

  “Do you think she loves him?” Brooke asked.

  Jess stared at them. “She’s engaged to marry Tyler. Of course she loves him.”

  “Are you sure? Because I see the way she looks at you.”

  Now they were just talking nonsense. “I don’t know what you’re suggesting, but you’re wrong,” he told them, passing his hand over the back of his neck.

  Brooke shook her head. “Do you forget that I drove her home after that party? I personally think she’s having a lot of doubt and believes she’s with the wrong guy, which only became apparent to her after she met you.”

  “Don’t hang any of this on me. I’m not the sort to get in the way of—”

  “Of what?” she challenged. “Falling in love?”

  Abe exchanged glances with Brooke. “Yeah, you should see your face when you’re around her. You should tell her how you feel, don’t you think?”

  Their comments made him feel stormy inside. He’d never meddle with someone else’s relationship. Even if he wanted to. The only motive he had in the situation was to support Lindsay in whatever decision she made.

  At least that’s what he told himself when he fell into bed later than night and couldn’t get her out of his mind.

  12

  After a fitful sleep, Lindsay woke to an unusually quiet hotel suite. Outside the window, an overnight drop in temperature left Baldy Mountain cloaked in low-hanging clouds, the sky gray and thick with impending snow.

  “Mama,” she called out. “You here?”

  Meeting with silence, she swung the thick duvet cover aside and climbed from the bed, dread building as she remembered their tense exchange, and all that faced her now.

  She pulled her chilled arms through the sleeves of her robe and wandered to the bathroom, stopping to place a log on the smoldering fireplace. The bathroom tiles felt like ice against her bare feet, forcing her back for her slippers.

  Her mama must still be mad to have left without waking her. But then, she was mad too. She was faced with nothing but nothing but bad options. No matter which way she turned, what she decided about her future, someone she cared about would be hurt.

  Unable to find her own slippers, she slipped into her mother’s and made a second try for the bathroom. Leaning against the massive marble countertop, she gazed in the mirror. Her reflection showed clear signs of her rough night—circles under her eyes, matted hair and sallow skin color.

  She was about to jump in the shower when she noticed the post it attached to the bathroom counter.

  Lindsay – Went into Ketchum to meet Charles and Sheryl for breakfast. Our flight leaves tonight at seven. You’ll want to pack. ~Mama

  Her hands dove deep into her robe pockets.

  Here was the thing. There was no missing the disappointment evident in that note. Disappointment that she alone had caused.

  No one could argue her mama could be pushy and often failed to listen to any other point of view when she had her mind set on a certain direction. The truth was her mother would walk on water for her. There was no doubting that. Her motives were not only financially motivated, but also based on what she thought was best for her daughter.

  Her mama had never missed a single concert, play, soccer game, track meet, Brownie meeting, choral performance. She packed a healthy lunch every day, including one indulgent Reese’s candy bar on Fridays. She wrote encouraging notes and arrived fifteen minutes early for school pickup, so she would never have to stand in the parking lot alone.

  More than once, her mama had stayed up all night helping her study for a biology exam, or a math test. She’d hated it—struggled in both subjects, but her mama wouldn’t let up. “You can do it!” she claimed.

  When it was time to search for colleges, Lindsay recalled their first exploratory trip with fondness, the way they giggled and planned her future. “Dream big,” her mama urged. “Never stop dreaming big.”

  To say she felt conflicted by her decision and all that was ahead was an understatement. Even given the financial debacle her mother had created.

  She wasn’t necessarily a church goer, but she was going to need some divine guidance on how to maneuver this mess.

  After a quick shower, Lindsay pulled on a pair of jeans and a pink sweater, pulled her hair back into a ponytail and headed for the door.

  Despite the early hour, the lobby was brimming with vacationers. A cute couple posed near the fireplace for a picture, their three adorable children in matching ski sweaters.

  Karyn aimed their camera and clicked off some photos. “There you go,” she said, smiling.

  She noticed Lindsay and waved. “Hey!” She moved in her direction. “I hear everything went marvelous last night.” Karyn leaned and gave Lindsay a little hug. “I’m so very happy for you and Tyler.”

  “Oh, the entire party was wonderful,” Lindsay said, a little too quickly. She felt tongue-tied and jumbled up. Had she really just said that? Had she meant it?

  It was entirely possible Karyn might soon learn otherwise, possible Jess might spill to the contrary. That seemed out of character for him, but it was possible.

  It dawned on her that at least part of her angst came from knowing her new friend had witnessed her falling apart—twice. They’d only known each other a few days, yet more than any other human being on the face of this earth, Jess Barnett was privy to just how conflicted she felt about her impending marriage to Tyler DeLuca. The knowledge felt like the tug of a wool sweater that rubbed.

  “Is something wrong?” Karyn asked.

  “Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong.” She replaced her sour expression with a manufactured bright smile. “I guess I was just thinking how much I’d like to show my appreciation to my mother and to Tyler’s—a gift for all they did to pull together such an extraordinary gala.”

  “I know just the thing,” Karyn volunteered. The hospitality director guided her to the gift shop. “I’m sure you can find the right sentiment on these shelves.”

  Lindsay brightened. “Yes, that’s a great idea. Look at all these beautiful pieces of jewelry.” She moved to a glass counter, picked up a stunning pendant in a delicate setting of gold. “What is this stone? It’s gorgeous.”

  The shopkeeper joined them. “That’s Bruneau Jasper found over in Owyhee County. I love the color striations.” She lifted the reading glasses hanging on a chain around her neck and placed them on her nose. “See there,” she pointed. “The way the hues sharpen on the table of the cabochon.”

  Lindsay beamed. “It’s really beautiful.”

  Karyn leaned in for a better look. “Greek to me, but I know the local artisan. Her name is Trudy Dilworth—Miss Trudy to the locals. She owns a shop located in Giacobbi Square.”

  The lady behind the sales counter nodded. “Miss Trudy is one of the most respected jewelry makers in the field. She also paints.”

  “Yes, I’ve taken some of her classes,” Karyn said. “Miss Trudy is a master of her craft.”

  A sharp pang of yearning formed inside Lindsay. “I’ve always dreamed of creating artistry items and finding a market for them.”

  Karyn’s face lit up. “Hey, you want to meet her?”

  Lindsay gaped back at the two women. “You could arrange that?”

  Her elation was short-lived. She was to have lunch with Tyler and she and her mother were scheduled to fly out this evening.

  Lindsay let out a disappointed sigh. “Oh, I’d love to. Unfortunately, I’m afraid there’s no time.” She looked across the glass counter to the shopkeeper, crestfallen at the prospect of missing out on the opportunity. “But, I will purchase this pendant and those matching earrings.” She turned to Karyn. “I think they’ll love these items. Thank you.”

  Karyn’s mouth curved into a wide smile. “Hopefully, you’ll be back to visit us sometime. We could arrange something then.”

  The idea of returning to Sun Valley someday lifted her spirits. “I’d love that.”

  Back in the lobby, she pulled her phone from her purse intending to text her mother, tell her she was sorry. While a decision still loomed, she’d been horribly insensitive to ruin the weekend for her mama.

  She placed her thumbs on the tiny screen when her phone dinged and a text from Tyler appeared.

  “Babe, I hate to do this to you but Dad wants me to conference in with some investors. I’m going to have to push back our lunch. Can you meet me at a placed called Crusty’s at one thirty? I’m dying for a good steak before we head home. I love you ~T”

  She sighed and texted back.“Sure. See you then. Love—”

  She swallowed and backspaced. “See you then. ~L”

 

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