What Matters Most

by Longley, Barbara

  His mother? Vivacious? He frowned, trying to see his mother being anything but tightly wound and judgmental.

  “She wouldn’t have anything thing to do with me. My reputation was well known. Still, I wangled my way into her study group, made sure I sat beside her in class, walked with her across the campus whenever I caught sight of her. Just talking to her, simply being next to her, made my life better somehow.”

  He turned to Will, a rueful expression crossing his features. “I wore her down, I guess. She said if I really wanted to date her, I’d better straighten up and get serious about my future. No more drugs, alcohol or other women. Anything Caroline deemed unhealthy, I had to quit. I would’ve done anything for the chance to be with your mother, so …” He shrugged. “I straightened up and got serious. You have no idea how much I love her, and how grateful I am that she took a chance on a spoiled, selfish jerk like me. I’d be lost without her. Utterly lost.”

  “Why is this the first time I’ve heard this story, Dad?”

  “What father wants to tell his son what a mess he’d almost made of his life? I’m telling you now, Will. I grew up in boarding schools. Your mother was raised by a series of nannies while her parents dragged her and her sister all over the world to expand their business. We never had any kind of role models for parenting, but we swore we were going to do things differently. You may feel we failed, but don’t ever doubt we love you. Your mother and I did our best. We tried to teach you respect. We tried to give you what we believed you needed. Your mother and I made sacrifices so that you would be raised by us in our own home. We were determined to be there for you, and we were.”

  They had been; his father spoke the truth. They’d been present, but distant. Now he understood. They didn’t know how to be warm and loving. He couldn’t imagine how difficult their childhoods were. Dammit, if he ever had the chance to be a father, he’d read all the books and take all the classes he could find about parenting. The cycle of coldness and distance would end with him. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you won’t cut us out of your life. That would be a good start. Call us Mom and Dad if you must, and we’ll call you whatever you want us to. Only don’t …”

  His father’s Adams apple bobbed, and for the first time in his life, Will witnessed his father struggling with emotions. All these revelations must’ve been excruciatingly difficult for his father.

  “Don’t cut us out of your life, son.”

  “Are you willing to apologize to Jo?”

  His father’s eyes widened. “You said she broke things off between you.”

  “I’m not quite ready to give up.”

  “Then, yes. If you can bring her around, we’re willing to apologize.” His dad moved back to sit in front of Will’s desk.

  “Good, and I’ll be more open about what is going on in my life, but only if you two agree not to push me in directions of your choosing.”

  “I believe we can agree to those terms.” His dad smiled, albeit briefly. “Can I take you out to lunch to celebrate our reconciliation?”

  “Where’s Mom? I’m surprised you didn’t bring your tag-team partner with you.”

  “She had a busy docket today, or my tag-team partner would be here.” His dad smiled broadly this time, and his eyes were a little shiny. “You know, your mother and I wanted a large family. We’d agreed on four children.”

  The mistiness in his dad’s eyes brought a lump to Will’s throat. Would today’s shockers never cease? Now that his father had opened up, was he unable to stop sharing? “Then why am I an only child?”

  “We lost two before you came along. Nearly broke our hearts for good. After you were born, we counted ourselves fortunate to have you, and we agreed to accept the fact that we were a family of three.”

  “I’m sorry. I would’ve loved having siblings.” One stunning revelation after another, and all of them together left him slightly wrung out.

  “Lunch?”

  “I have plans with Greg.”

  “He can join us, and I’ll pick up the tab.”

  “All right, but we’ll have to wait a bit. I have to meet with a property management company first.”

  “Fine by me.” His dad rose from his chair. “Mind if I wander around your building and take a look while I wait?”

  “Not at all. Knock yourself out.” Will stood up too. He held out his hand to shake, a conciliatory gesture, and his father tugged him into a fierce hug. Another first.

  “We love you, William,” he rasped, smacking Will on the back hard enough to push the air from his lungs. “And we’re proud of the man you’ve become.”

  “Love you too, Dad,” he muttered. He couldn’t take much more of this. A lifetime of reserve gone in a single day? Struggling with his own emotional tilt-a-whirl, he watched his father walk out of his office. Will wandered over to his window and stared out at the city street, the railroad tracks and the river beyond. Several minutes went by while he pulled himself together.

  “Damn. You’ll never guess what just happened,” Greg said, bursting into Will’s office.

  Will grinned at his partner. “You won yesterday’s lottery?”

  “No.” Greg ran his palm over the back of his neck, his brow creased in puzzlement. “Your father stopped by my office and invited me to lunch with the two of you. And then …” Greg shook his head as if trying to make sense of the unbelievable. “He told me he and your mother have been following my career, and I should be proud of what I’ve accomplished.” He collapsed into a chair. “What the hell just happened?”

  Will laughed, and something inside him loosened. His insignia knot? “My parents and I are negotiating terms for our continued association, that’s what just happened.” Now he had to go after the woman of his dreams and convince her he would always be on her side, and she could trust him. Then his life and his happiness would be complete.

  “Hello,” the man from the management company called from the reception area.

  “That will be the guy about my maintenance bid.” Will started for the door. “Dad is looking over the building. Once I’m done, we’ll go to lunch.”

  “Dad?” Greg’s eyes widened. “Since when do you call Mr. Prescott dad?”

  Since this morning’s negotiations. Still grinning, Will went off to haggle over monthly maintenance fees. For the first time in his life, his heart and step were light after an encounter with one of his parents. Working things out with them would take time and effort, but as long as they were willing, so was he. Only one piece in the jigsaw puzzle of his life remained to be put into place. Tomorrow morning couldn’t come fast enough.

  Will pulled out of his reserved parking spot, reflecting upon the momentous events of his day. His brain was still reeling from his father’s revelations. From the moment he arrived at his office until the moment he’d gotten in his car to go home, Will had been nonstop busy. Tonight, he planned to sit on his patio, have a beer and unwind. He didn’t want to think; he just wanted to sit and do nothing but watch the river flow by for an hour or so.

  Just as he was about to turn onto the city street, his phone vibrated. Wyatt’s name and number showed up on his car’s computer screen. Will put his car in park and hit accept. “Hey, Wyatt. Are we all set for tomorrow morning?”

  “Yep. That’s why I’m calling. I’ll text you the address. Be there at seven thirty sharp, and for crying out loud, park your car somewhere Jo won’t see it.”

  “I’m not stupid.”

  “If you say so. Anyway, Andrea is our cousin. You met her at my wedding. Sam and I have filled her in on what’s what, and she’s all in.”

  His pulse raced. So much hinged on tomorrow’s scheme. “Great. Thanks.”

  “Good luck. You’ll need it. Jo has always been defensively thickheaded.”

  “I’m a damn good litigator.”

  “Again. If you say so,” Wyatt quipped. “Let us know how it goes.”

  “Why? Are you placing bets?”

 
“Maybe.”

  “Fine. If things don’t go as I hope, I’ll text it’s a no go. If things turn out like I hope they will, I’ll text you when and where we’re having dinner.”

  “We really like Kincaid’s.”

  Will laughed. “Got it. Later.”

  “Later.”

  He ended the call and headed for home. Once things settled down, he’d start looking for a dog. Now that he only lived ten minutes from his office, slipping away a few times a day to let a dog out wouldn’t be a problem.

  Will pulled up to the security gate leading into his complex. He waved at the guard and waited for the gate to open. As he rounded the curve of his street, he groaned. His mother’s car was parked in his driveway. Of course. He should’ve expected she’d show up. This was his parents’ version of a delayed tag-team maneuver. Still, he had a better understanding of their dynamics since his dad’s visit earlier. Tag teaming was their way of being there for him because they loved him. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

  He pulled in beside her Lexus and shut off his car. She must be waiting for him inside. His parents had insisted on having a key in case of emergencies. He braced himself, climbed out of his car and made his way into his house.

  “William,” his mother said, emerging from his kitchen. “You’ve lived here for almost three years. Why haven’t you furnished your home yet?”

  “Hello to you too.” Will slid past her and went into his kitchen. His mother followed. “I’m having a beer. Can I pour you a glass of wine?”

  “What?” She looked at him as if he he’d spoken to her in a foreign language.

  “Wine. Red or white? It’s been a long day, and I’d like to relax on the patio. Would you like to join me?”

  “Oh.” His mother gazed around his kitchen. “Yes. A glass of white wine would be lovely. Thank you.”

  Will busied himself with opening the chilled bottle of Chardonnay he’d taken from his fridge. He’d planned to drink the Chardonnay with Jo while they shared a bubble bath. Ah, well. He poured his mother a glass and handed it to her. “Shall we?” He gestured toward the door to the small deck off his kitchen.

  He followed her outside and down the short flight of stairs to his flagstone patio overlooking the river, the woods and the cityscape. “Have a seat.” The lower level roof of his townhouse extended over the patio, giving him privacy. He’d arranged a grouping of patio chairs and small end tables to take in the view of the bluffs and the river.

  His mother examined one of the seats, brushed off the bits of plant life and dust that had accumulated and sat down. Will took the lounge chair beside her. He took a long pull of his beer and sighed. “It’s been a long day.”

  She nodded and sipped her wine. “You have a lovely view.”

  “Yes.” He forced himself to relax. “As to your question, I have not furnished my home because I haven’t had any reason to. Up until very recently, I haven’t had any social life at all. I built this townhouse for a family, and every time I walk into the emptiness, I am struck by how closely the state of my home reflects the state of my life.”

  Will watched her out of the corner of his eyes. His mother bit her lip and turned her face away from him. If they were ever to get past the formality and distance that was their relationship, he had to do his part. Brutal honesty. “So, what brings you here this evening?”

  His mother’s attention riveted upon the condensation forming on the outside of her wine glass. She ran a finger through the droplets. “I came to apologize.”

  “For what?”

  A strangled laugh escaped her. “For being such a terrible mother. For the inexcusable way I behaved toward your young lady at brunch. For …” Another strangled sound burst forth. This time it sounded like a sob. She quickly reined herself in and shifted in her chair. “I am sorry, William. I don’t know what else to say, but I hope you will forgive me.”

  “Things have to change between us, Mom. The formality, the passive-aggressiveness and manipulation has to stop.” He shook his head. “What good is a future if you have no present upon which to build? I’m lonely. I have been lonely my entire life. The path you and Dad mapped out for me brought me nothing but unhappiness. I’m making changes to rectify the situation. You have to accept me for who I am, and not who you think I should be. Can you do that?”

  “All right. Tell me who you are, William?”

  “Someone whose mother calls him Will, for one thing.” He shot her a pointed look. “The work I do has to bring me a sense of satisfaction. If I don’t feel good about what I’m doing, there’s no point in continuing down that path. I’ve reevaluated my priorities, Mom. The future will take care of itself. I’m far more concerned with right now. I need friends, a social life. For me, without those things, everything else is pointless.”

  What he really needed was warmth and affection. He missed talking to the one woman in the world he’d bared his soul to, the woman who’d encouraged and supported his dreams and gave him permission to reach for happiness with both hands. With Jo he was free to be the man he was meant to be. She’d given him everything his life had lacked, and he wanted her back. He needed her. He swallowed a couple of times.

  His mother reached for his hand and gripped it between hers. “Your father and I have always wanted you to be happy. Clearly we missed the mark when it came to understanding what that would take.” She patted his hand. “We love you, William. I love you, and I regret that I haven’t made that abundantly clear. What can I do to help you find your here and now?”

  He squeezed her hand. “Mom, I’m thirty. How about letting me figure things out for myself? You and dad can cheer me on, but I am the one who makes the decisions.” He turned in his chair. “You know what I’d really love?”

  “What?”

  “I’d love to feel free to share my hopes and dreams with you without fear of disapproval. I’d love it if we could shatter the wall between us and just talk. Honestly and openly. I’d like to give you hugs without worrying you’d stiffen up and back away.”

  He brought their twined hands up for her to see. “You know, this is the first time I can ever remember you reaching for my hand.” He squeezed again, refusing to let go. “If you meet me halfway, I promise to include you and Dad in my life.”

  “I’ll try if you’ll concede one point.”

  “What is that?” A brow arched, he studied her.

  “No matter how misguided our methods might have been, your father and I did what we believed was best for you. Our intentions were good.”

  “All right. I acknowledge your intentions were good.”

  “You will forgive us, and you will be more forthcoming about what is going on with your life. You will include us. Spying on you is exhausting.”

  That last bit brought a smile to his face. “You are forgiven.”

  “Change is never easy. Be patient.”

  “I will. You too.”

  “Of course. Your father told me how things stand between you and Miss Haney. What do you plan to do to win her back?”

  Today’s surprises kept on hurlting into him. What the hell? He’d said he wanted to be able to talk to her, and so it was up to him to begin. “Her brothers and I hatched a plan, which will be executed tomorrow morning.” He told her how everything had unfolded since their brunch date, and what he intended to do tomorrow morning.

  “Bold,” his mother remarked. “Reminds me of your father’s persistence when he pursued me.” She lifted her chin slightly and smiled. “He was such a pest. I had no choice but to give in.”

  “Do you love Dad?”

  “With all my heart.” She canted her head, and a dreamy look crossed her features. “Your father was a train wreck when I met him. Believe me, I had my work cut out for me.”

  “I imagine you enjoyed the challenge.”

  “I did.”

  His mother sipped her wine, and he drank his beer, and they continued to sit in companionable silence for several minutes. “I’
m glad you stopped by, Mom.”

  “Me too. I should be going though. Your father will be on pins and needles about how things went between us.”

  “You two really are a team, aren’t you?”

  “We are.” She rose. “We owe Miss Haney an apology. Give us a call and let me know how things go tomorrow.”

  “I will.” Another first. He meant what he said. If things were going to improve, he too had to make changes. Will walked back to his kitchen behind his mother. He put her wine glass in his sink, rinsed his bottle and put it in the recycling bin, while she told him about her day. Then he walked her to her car. They even shared a brief, awkward hug before she got in and drove off.

  Emotionally and physically spent, he walked back into his townhouse and into his empty living room to stare at the matted watercolor—not yet framed—he’d purchased at the art fair he’d gone to with Jo. He really should buy furniture.

  If things went like he hoped tomorrow morning, he’d have Jo help him pick stuff out. He had no talent for decorating, and her condo exuded coziness and warmth, exactly how he wanted his home to be. With that thought, he moved into his family room, grabbed the remote and plopped down into his favorite recliner. The TV providing background noise, he soon began to doze off, dreams of Jo, naked and once again in his arms, danced through his mind.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Jo climbed out of her van and walked up the sidewalk to her cousin’s house. Andrea opened the door for her before she even knocked. “Hey, Andrea.”

  “Hey, Jo. Come in.”

  She stepped inside, and was met with a blast of air-conditioned chilliness. “You know, you could’ve asked me to stop by over the weekend to take care of the laundry room floor drain. I would’ve done it for free.”

  “I know, but we’re going out of town later this afternoon, and I need to do laundry this morning. We’re taking the kids camping on the North Shore.” She led her to the door off the kitchen, leading to the basement.

  Jo took note of the coolers and bags on the kitchen table. A large bag of marshmallows peeked out of the top of one of the canvas grocery sacks. “That sounds like fun. Which park?”