Montana Sky
since the first invitation had been sent. Now there were gifts to be oohed and aahed over, everything from whisk brooms to peignoirs.
Tess watched Lily’s mother blink back tears and slip outside.
An interesting woman, Tess decided, pouring herself another cup. Attractive, well presented, well spoken. What the hell had she ever seen in a son of a bitch like Jack Mercy?
When Bess poured two cups and slipped out too, Tess shrugged and tried to work up the proper enthusiasm for a set of embroidered napkins.
“Here you go, Adele.” Bess settled herself on the glider, handed Adele a cup while the woman dabbed at her eyes.
“Been some time since we sat here.”
“I didn’t know how I would feel coming back. It’s hardly changed.”
“Oh, here and there. You haven’t changed much yourself.”
Vanity was a small weakness, and Adele automatically touched a hand to her carefully groomed hair. It was cut sleek and short, kept a subtle shade of deep blond.
“Lines,” she said with a weak laugh. “I never know where they come from, but there are new ones in my mirror every morning.”
“Just life.” Bess took stock. Adele still had a pretty, almost delicate face, the features small and well proportioned. She’d kept in shape, too, Bess mused. Trim, easing toward lanky, and her eye for color and line hadn’t changed either. She looked good in the rose-toned slacks and ivory blouse.
“You’ve got a fine daughter, Adele. You did a good job with her.”
“I could’ve done better. I should have. Seeing her now, I look back to when she was a little girl. The hours I should have spent with her that I didn’t.”
“You had work, and your own life too.”
“I did.” To soothe herself, Adele sipped her drink. “And a lot of pain, the first few years anyway. I hated Jack Mercy more than I ever loved him, Bess.”
“That’s natural. He didn’t do right by you or the girl. But I’d say you found the better man.”
“Rob? He’s a good man. Set in his ways, he always has been. But they’re good ways.” Her lips softened. They’d had a good life, she thought. “Rob’s not, well, overtly affectionate, but he loves Lily. I wonder now if we didn’t expect too much from her. If we both didn’t. But we love her.”
“It shows.”
She rocked awhile in silence. “God, the view. I’ve never forgotten it. I missed this place. I’ve been happy back East—the green, the gentleness of the land. But I have missed this place.”
“You’ll come back, now that Lily’s living here.”
“Yes. We’ll come back. Rob’s enchanted. He loves to travel. We’ve avoided this part of the country, but now . . . He’s down with Adam, looking at the horses.” She sighed, smiled. “He’s a good man too, isn’t he, Bess? Lily’s Adam.”
“One of the finest I know, and he’d walk through fire for her.”
“She’s been through so much. When I think about it—”
“Don’t.” Bess covered Adele’s hand with hers. “It’s behind her now. Just like Jack Mercy’s behind you. She’s going to be a beautiful bride, and a happy wife.”
“Oh.” It brought the tears again. They were falling down her cheeks when Willa stepped out.
“Excuse me.” Automatically, she started back inside.
“No, don’t.” Sniffling, Adele rose, reached out a hand.
“I’m just being sentimental. I haven’t had a chance to really talk to you. Every letter Lily wrote me was full of you, and Tess.”
A woman’s tears always disarmed her. Willa shifted, tried to smile. “I’m surprised there was room with Adam in there.”
“You have the same eyes, you and your brother.” Dark and wise, Adele thought. And steady. “I knew your mother, a little. She was a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve been frightened.” Adele cleared her throat. “I realize this isn’t a good time to bring it up, but I’ve been so worried. I know Lily toned down a great deal of what’s happened here in her letters and calls to me. But when Jesse—when those things happened with Jesse, there were reports back East. I wanted to say that I’m still worried, but I feel easier now that I’ve met you, and Adam.”
“She’s stronger than you think. Than any of us thought.”
“You may be right,” Adele agreed, then braced herself.
“And I want to thank you for your hospitality, for inviting Rob and me to stay here in your home. I know it must be awkward for you.”
“I thought it would be. It’s not. My
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