At Home on Marigold Lane by Debbie Mason

Author:Debbie Mason
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2022-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Thank you for coming with me. Both of you,” Bri’s mother said as she turned into the inn’s parking lot, glancing at Em sitting in the backseat with her earbuds in. “I know your sister was happy we went together to see them off.”

They’d driven Ellie and Nate to the airport in Asheville three hours ago in her mother’s SUV. It hadn’t been as bad as Bri thought it would be. Her mother had been on her best behavior.

“It’s too bad Dad couldn’t make it. I think Ellie was disappointed.” Bri could count on one hand the number of times she’d spoken to their father in the past month. She’d been hoping he’d come and see Ellie and Nate off, as much for her sister as for herself.

Her mother parked beside the red pickup. “You know your father. His lectures and his students come first.” Miranda undid her seatbelt. “But he did send her flowers.”

Bryan MacLeod was a brilliant man but he wouldn’t have a clue who to call or what to order, and he certainly wouldn’t know Ellie’s favorite flowers. Her mother had taken care of everything when they were growing up. Bri imagined her father was lost without his wife.

“Mom, admit it. You sent the flowers and said they were from Dad.”

“You don’t think your sister knew, do you?” her mother asked, seeming genuinely concerned.

“No. I’m sure she didn’t.” Bri was positive Ellie did. The sentimental note that accompanied the flowers was a dead giveaway. “She loved them. It was very thoughtful of you, Mom.”

Her mother glanced at her and then looked away, blinking her eyes. “I didn’t want anything to detract from her happy day. I have a lot to make up for, to Elliana and to you.”

From the backseat, Em yawned and stretched her arms. “Sorry I wasn’t better company. I must have been more tired than I thought. I slept the entire ride back.”

Bri cast a yeah right look over her shoulder as she got out of the SUV, positive Em had been awake the entire time. Then again, they’d left early, and she and Em were used to sleeping in. Bri was still battling insomnia, and Em was still fighting for her fiancé’s life in her dreams.

“Don’t worry about it, dear. It was nice of you to join us,” her mother said when they got out of the SUV, and Em came to stand beside Bri.

“Would you like to stay for lunch?” her mother asked them hopefully.

“Maybe another time, Mom. We have to get ready for the tailgate party tonight.” Bri and Em were selling T-shirts before the game, with the money they raised going to the trauma center fund. It was the first of several events Bri’s sister and her grandmother had volunteered them for.

“I have fond memories of the tailgate parties before the big game between Highland Falls High and Jackson County High. Your father and I used to go all the time. I’m sure you girls will have a wonderful time.

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