“That’s an interesting surprise.” Peter chuckled.
Ryan had finished relaying the events of the previous evening and was now in deep thought about how to proceed.
On one hand, Oliver had no reason to fight for his money. She had an inheritance of her own now. On the other hand, a divorce between the Gale family and the Austin family could destroy they business partnership.
“And you say she had no idea?” Maggie asked. “Not a single word in all those years?”
“Her family was poor.” Ryan sighed. “They moved a lot through her father’s work. By the time Tia Jane got their address, they’d moved.”
“That’s a terrible way to be raised.” Maggie gave the room a sour expression. “Nothing stable. Always wondering how long until the next move.”
So different from our family. Ryan thought. I grew up in a house we’d owned for centuries.
“I guess that’s why she bought a shop.” Peter mused. “It’s permanent.”
She had to cross an ocean to find a home. Ryan felt tears prickle behind his eyes. She was sixteen. Her father had just died. She was all alone.
He felt a sudden urge to see her. He didn’t know why, but he just had to see her face. Could I… For her… He shoved the thought to the back of his mind.
He turned to his sister-in-law. “What time do shops open?”
“Well, it depends on the shop.” Maggie gave him a gentle smile. “But, I think ten would be fine.”
Ryan checked the clock. Quarter after nine. He scowled and paced the floor.
“Ryan, stop.” Peter grabbed his arm. “What’s gotten into you? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve fallen for her.”
“I haven’t!” He said quickly. “I just don’t want her to back out. She just found out her mum’s loaded. She had no reason to continue helping.”
“How about, she gave her word?” Maggie sighed. “How about, she’s a good kid? How about, she thinks you deserve the chance to show your father what you can do, wife or no wife?”
Ellie looked up at her uncle from where she was drawing at the table. “Good!” She copied her mother with a smile. “Good Holly!”
She stood on her chair to show Ryan her drawing. There were five stick people. The shortest was obviously Ellie. She was holding the hands of a girl and a boy. Her parents. The other girl was wearing a hat and holding a brown circle. The other boy was holding a book.
“Is that us?” Ryan asked.
“Coco.” Ellie smiled. She pointed at the circle. “Coco.”
Maggie chuckled. “Coconut for Easter.”
“What am I holding, Ellie?” Ryan sat beside the little girl. “Is that a book?”
“Olive!” she nodded. “Olive Twit!” she pointed to a side table, where Ryan’s copy of Oliver Twist was sitting.
“Moma and Papa love Ellie.” She continued. “Ellie loves Moma and Papa. Holly loves books. And Ry loves Olive!”
“Yeah.” Ryan sighed. “I love Oliver.” He looked back at the clock. Still too early. “I’m going out.” He announced.
I have to see her. He thought again. And tell her.
***
Tia Jane arrived when Holland was opening the store at nine-thirty. She sent her car away so they could talk alone.
“It’s such a nice little place.” She mused, running her fingers over the shelves. “Is your apartment the one over it?”
“Yes.” Holland pushed books onto the discount display, causing others to fall off. “Shoot!”
Tia Jane bent to pick them up. “Something’s bothering you.” She said bluntly. “I may not have seen you grow up, but I am your mother. I can tell when something’s wrong.”
Holland sighed and put the books down. “I’m mad.” She confessed. “I can’t stop being mad. Even when I think about ice cream sandwiches and hamburgers, I’m still mad.”
“Holly, please—”
“You weren’t there!” She shouted. “You didn’t see his face! Every time the door opened, he thought it would be you. Even when he could barely breathe, he’d turn every time, hoping you’d walk in.”
“I’m sorry.” Tia Jane pulled her daughter close. “I would have been there, I swear. But by the time I learned he was sick, he was already in the ground.”
Holland let herself be comforted. She hadn’t felt like there was someone stronger than her since her dad got sick. She’d always been the one looking after him. It felt good to have someone looking after her.
“He ruined my life.” She sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. “He took you away. Dad worked so hard, but it was never enough. Then he got sick and died and I was all alone. I thought I’d be alone forever.” For once in her life, Holland let herself show weakness. She cried and cried and her mother just stood there, stroking her hair.
The moment passed and she pulled away. “I need to work.” She sniffled. Her hands shook as she picked up the discarded books. When she turned back to her mother, she was tying an apron around her waist. “What are you doing?”
“This is the Hope family’s store.” She said proudly. “And I am a part of the Hope family.” She looked under the counter and pulled out the catalogue. “Should I order something?”
Despite her anger and sorrow, Holland found herself laughing. “Do you know how it works?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Tia Jane smiled smugly. “I’m not just a corporate head. I’ve worked.” She flipped the pages until she found the order sheets, one already filled out. “Ah, good taste.”
“Too bad the store can’t afford them all.” Holland came up beside her and pointed to the sheet. “I can only get half of them. I hit a slump a few months ago and am still recovering.”
Tia Jane thought for a moment, then produced something from her bag. “How about an investment?” She opened the cheque book and ripped one out.
“That’s way too much!” Holland shook her head in disbelief. “I managed this far on my hard work, I can keep going on my own.”
“But you aren’t alone.” Her mother gave her a sweet smile and filled in the rest of the order sheet. “I’m here now. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Not anymore.”
Holland didn’t know what to say. For the past two years, she’d gotten by relying on her skills. There had been nobody looking out for her. It felt strange getting help, but at the same time, good.
The bell above the door chimed, pulling her from her reverie. She turned to see who it was, and her anger flared again.
Ryan was standing awkwardly in the doorway, his hands behind his back. “Hi.” He said shyly.
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