The Secrets Mothers Keep

by Jacquie Underdown

  He waits for her reaction, but she doesn’t give him one.

  “She said a beautiful woman who lived in the grandest house in town was the last woman he crossed. Mary, she said her name was.”

  “Get to the point.”

  That small smile flickers on his lips again. “She knew it was Julian who beat you half to death. She assumed he got you pregnant. That’s usually how he ended the relationships.”

  Her back went rigid with those details. Her teeth hurt from clenching her jaw. She gripped the gun harder, her knuckles turning white.

  “Nonna had had enough. But every time she tried to leave him, he would beat her senseless. She knew the next time she wouldn’t survive. So her only escape was to kill him. One night, she followed him after he left the house. She had a gun and planned to catch him unexpectedly on his way home and shoot him straight through the heart. She hid behind a tree in your front yard as he kicked in the window and attacked you. When she was going to reveal herself and save you, June came in and did the job for her.”

  Her eyes are wide, shocked by the detail his grandmother had given him. She swallows hard. “She saw all that?”

  He nods. “She saw you both struggle to dig a deep hole and bury Julian in it. She was grateful that you and June took care of him for her. She was free of him finally. So, she got the kids and skipped town. The locals would not think anything of Julian’s disappearance. They would presume that the family had simply packed up and moved on to find work elsewhere.”

  Mary remembers the fear she had every single minute of the day for years after that the police were going to knock on the front door and take her and June away in handcuffs. But they never came and now she knows why.

  “That was a lovely gesture of your grandmother to help us like that. But what has this got to do with you now?”

  He sighs. “Nonna was burdened with guilt, right up until she passed away. You see, she knew Julian hadn’t invested your money like he told you. She found all the paperwork with your signature all over it as she was packing the home up. She also found the half-million dollars in cash. It was difficult times for a young immigrant woman. And she had children to feed. So she never returned the money and for that, she held a lot of guilt.”

  Her breaths come harder in her chest. Maria wittingly stole the money from her?

  “It was difficult for her to reconcile taking the money in her own heart. But she had no choice. If she had to leave town with the children, she needed the funds. So that’s where I come into it. I loved Nonna more than anything. And I would do anything for my family. You and I are very much alike in that respect.”

  She braces for his explanation.

  “The moment my parents moved to Campbell Town, I sought out the grandest house. I knew it was this house the moment I laid eyes on it as a twelve-year-old boy. Then when I saw you and June together, I knew you were the two who killed Nonna’s first husband. When you asked me to do the renovations on the manor, I took it as my obligation to make amends for what Nonna did. She would be happy about that. I hope it eases the burden on her soul.”

  “By digging up a skeleton? How does that ease any kind of burden?”

  “I not only dug it up, Mary. I ground it to powder. When you interrupted me, I was about to feed that powder in the cement mixer where it would become a part of the cement I’ll use to reset the manor’s foundations. No one will ever find a trace of what happened that night. You and June will be free to live your lives in peace. Peace you both deserve after all this time.”

  She stares at him, absolutely dumbfounded.

  “I’m sorry, but I didn’t save the roses. I know they mean—”

  “Damn the bloody roses. I hate gardening,” she says impatiently. Her mind is spinning.

  He sighs with relief. “Thank goodness because they are mulch now too.”

  She moves to the chair beside him. Her arms are aching from holding the gun, but she doesn’t lower it. “What does this mean for you, me and my family?”

  A full smile finds his mouth. And she can see exactly why Pia is infatuated with him. “I love your granddaughter. All I want is your blessing to marry her.”

  “You want my blessing to marry her?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you give your word that you won’t go to the police, nor tell anyone else?”

  He nods. “I give you my word. This information was entrusted to me from my nonna, and I have not told another soul. Not even Pia. I loved Nonna very much and I feel peace for taking care of this small remaining problem for you.”

  Mary lifts the gun again and trains the barrels on his chest. “Let me warn you now, Luca, if you dare slip up or mess this up in any way, I will kill you. This family means the world to me.”

  He holds his hands up again. “I get it. Honestly, I totally get it. Family is everything to me too. And I’m so happy to be joining this family, especially with you at the helm, a strong capable protector, not unlike my own nonna. I want to fill this place with a houseful of children. You’d be okay with more grandchildren, Mary?”

  A small smile flitters across her lips and her heart expands to hear him speak like this as though he’s talking to her soul and to every desire she has ever had. “I’ve always wanted a lot of grandchildren.”

  “Good,” he says lowering his hands. “That’s another way we are alike.”

  She is silent for a moment—equally as stunned as she is relieved and perhaps a little bit happy. An enormous burden has been lifted from her and this property. Luca has cast away the ghost that has haunted her and June.

  “So we don’t tell anyone else? Not even June?” Luca asks.

  She pulls her lips into a straight line. As much as she would prefer to keep this between Luca and her, June deserves the right to be relieved from this ancient burden. “I must tell June.”

  He nods.

  “But no one else is to know. It is to remain our secret.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  She lowers the gun. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Now,” he says, getting to his feet. “I better get out there and finish what I started before my boys arrive.”

  She gestures towards the front door. “Go ahead.”

  He starts for the door, but she calls to him before he opens it. “I thought I’d cook a family dinner tonight. You’re very welcome to join us.”

  He smiles. “I’d really like that. Thank you for the offer.”

  She sits back against the couch and giggles. This morning certainly hasn’t gone as planned. Not one bit.

  Chapter 47

  Mary

  3 months later

  Pia sits on the bed. Luca is beside her, arms wrapped around Pia’s shoulders as she cuddles the newborn baby close to her chest. What a picture of young love—everything Mary has ever wanted for herself.

  They both look up as Mary enters the hospital room. Her heart is almost bursting with joy that Pia has brought this wonderful new addition to the family. A girl. And she is so eager to meet her, to hold her, to smell her newborn scent.

  Mary smiles so broadly her mouth hurts, but she can’t help the love sweeping through her, lifting her lips into a grin.

  “Good morning,” she says as she makes her way across the room. She has a box teeming with pink and white lilies in one hand—not a single rose in sight—and a brightly wrapped present for Pia in the other.

  “Hi, Nan,” Pia says. Her cheeks are pink and her eyes are luminous. Luca is staring doe-eyed at Pia and the baby, a proud grin extending across his face, as besotted as any biological father would be.

  A true maternal man, not unlike Robert, she supposes. A man capable of accepting the circumstances and making the most of them, even if they are not exactly in his favour.

  Though, she is sure it won’t be long before he and Pia have their own children together.

  They got married in a small ceremony at the end of April. An intimate ceremony, and never has Mary seen Pia more radiant. B
eautiful and shapely from her growing stomach. While Luca was proud and protective, dressed in a smart suit.

  “Congratulations,” she says as she bends to kiss Pia’s cheek. “Congratulations, Luca.”

  Pia smiles. “Thanks, Nan.”

  “Thank you, Mary,” Luca says. “It’s a proud day for sure.”

  She catches her first glimpse of the blessed little girl and tears of elation sting her eyes. “Oh my goodness, she is so beautiful. She looks just like you, Pia.”

  Luca smiles. “That’s what I thought too.” He kisses Pia’s forehead. “Beautiful like her mother.”

  Mary places the flowers on the big cabinet beside the bed and rests Pia’s present on the bed beside her. “Perhaps I can have a cuddle while you open your present?”

  Pia grins. “Of course.”

  She takes a seat on the chair beside the bed.

  “You stay there,” Luca says. He carefully takes the baby from Pia’s arms as though she is as fragile as a thin piece of crystal and carries her to Mary’s arms.

  The small bundle stirs from her sleep as Mary takes her in her arms but soon settles after a few soft moans. She is gorgeous—a cute little nose, beautiful bowed lip and sweet smooth skin. Mary doesn’t think she has ever seen a lovelier newborn.

  Of course, she had already seen a dozen photos that Lily-Rose had taken on her phone when she arrived home earlier this morning from the hospital. She and Hugh had spent all night up here waiting for the baby to be born.

  Despite having no sleep, they were both high on the happiness a newborn brings. It’s lovely to see them both getting along better. Though not back together, they have decided to take it slow and start dating each other again.

  Hugh has taken a local role at the health centre. To Mary, that’s a show of dedication to his marriage. When they reach her age, they’ll realise that it’s foolish to waste time. They are undoubtedly in love with each other—a love like theirs can survive anything—but, they are still too young to know that yet.

  Mary has never been more proud of Lily-Rose. Perhaps Grace was right to have told her the truth because everything has settled since then—not only in Lily-Rose’s life but also in her own heart.

  Lily-Rose may actually be enjoying living back in Campbell Town. She opened a small acting school and is creating quite a buzz in town. It makes her happy; Mary can tell by the animation in her bright eyes when she arrives home and talks about it.

  Mary gazes at the beautiful girl when she stirs. “Lily-Rose wouldn’t tell me her name. She said it is a surprise.”

  Pia and Luca share a look with each other, knowing smiles on their faces.

  “Her name is Maree. Named for you and for Luca’s nonna, Maria.”

  Her chest rises and falls harder as emotion impinges. “That’s such an honour. Thank you.” Normally, she would feel a sense of guilt that this child should take her true grandmother’s name. But everything is out in the open now and, besides, she swore she wouldn’t hold back anymore. She can no longer continue to live clasping onto guilt as though it was a prize.

  They all made their choices and they have lived with them. Now is the time to move forward with a free heart and conscience, knowing all that was done was the best they could do at the time.

  Pia’s smile is broad. “We thought you’d like that.”

  Tears brim in Mary’s eyes. “Very much.”

  “Maree May Marchetta.”

  “Lovely.”

  “So where are Aunt June and Damien? I thought they were coming with you?” Pia asks.

  “They had to park the car down the road. So they dropped me off first. They’re going to get a coffee on the way in, but they shouldn’t be much longer.”

  Damien and June have been another new development. Since Mary told June about what Luca had done for them, it was like something in her brain clicked and changed gears. For years, June had resisted a relationship with Damien. She was frightened. Scared to move forward, scared to bring a man into the manor, scared that she would love again only to have to give him up.

  Knowing that the remaining evidence had been taken care of and with the Lily-Rose secret revealed, any restraints were now broken. So when Damien asked her out on a date, she accepted. They’ve been inseparable. It’s actually a pleasure for Mary to finally see June happy and living her life for herself.

  Mary breathes in the powdery sweet scent of Maree and she smiles. She hadn’t realised she could ever feel this happy again. But her family is flourishing after so many years of floundering. She hates to admit it, but some of that is her fault. In her effort to protect them, perhaps she has been the one holding them back all along.

  But she refuses to feel guilty. She did what she thought was best. And maybe this is how it was meant to play out all along—the best way, the only way. They have learned the value of each other because of everything they have been through.

  Grace certainly has. She is in Perth at the moment with her sons. They are meeting with Rebecca. She has discovered that Rebecca doesn’t represent all that she lost but rather an opportunity to bring a new family member—a remaining part of John—into the fold.

  What a positive place they are all in to start this new venture together. In a few short months, Viewtree House will be opened for visitors. The transformation so far is stunning. So magnificent that Mary no longer regrets the decision she made to open it up to the public.

  The manor is alive again. With beauty. With joy. And with family.

  And the majesty of the house is contagious because their first season, spring, is fully booked. They will all hit the ground running as soon as the doors are opened.

  So that leaves Mary. She won’t deny that trying to make peace with all that has happened to her has been difficult. But she is getting there. This little miracle in her arms helps. Her growing family helps.

  Yes, Robert betrayed her by lying for nineteen years. And yes, Julian then finished the job, making certain she would never ever have what she truly desired. But the only way they can still hurt her is if she continues to believe that they stole her happiness.

  Because looking back at her life—the joy Lily-Rose brought her; the close loving bond she shares with June; the wonderful relationship she has with her granddaughter. Then there is Grace and her children, whom she spoiled rotten when they were young. And now, this beautiful bundle in her arms who will be living three doors down from her.

  Has she truly missed out?

  Not at all. Mary may not have had her own children, but she has had a life filled with children. And she has loved them as deeply as her heart possibly could. She may not have always shown it or believed it, but she knows that she could not have loved any more. And to her, that is a life well lived.

  MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR

  Thanks for reading The Secrets Mothers Keep.

  I hope you enjoyed it.

  If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage www.jacquieunderdown.com.

  Reviews can help readers find books, and I am grateful for all honest reviews. Thank you for taking the time to let others know what you’ve read, and what you thought.

  If you liked this book, here are my other books:

  Catch Me a Cowboy

  Bittersweet

  The Sweetest Secret

  Sweet from the Vine

  The Book of Spells and Such

  After Life

  Out of Time

  Kiss Me, Angel

  Beautiful Illusion.

  The Paler Shade of Autumn

  Pieces of Me

  Unstitched

  Beyond Coincidence

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jacquie lives in Central Queensland, Australia, where it's always hot and humidity coats the skin, summer or winter. When she wrote her first novel ten years ago, she was working as an accountant. But it didn’t take long for the writing bug to take her over completely and she happily did away with her business career. Now she
spends her days wrapped up in her imagination, creating characters, exploring alternative realities, and meeting a host of characters who occupy her mind at first, then eventually her books.

  She has a business degree, studied post-grad writing, editing and publishing at The University of Queensland and earned a Master of Letters (Creative Writing) from Central Queensland University.

  You can find out more about Jacquie on her website at https://www.jacquieunderdown.com/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jacquie.underdown.10/?ref=bookmarks

  Twitter https://twitter.com/authoraire, or

  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jacquieu927/.