All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)

“I love you,” Dominique whispered.

The words caught Charlie off guard. She tried to steel herself against them, to say they didn’t matter, but the simple phrase seemed to slip through her defenses and settle into her bruised and hungry heart.

Unexpected longing made her shift in her seat. Despite everything, she couldn’t dismiss her mother or what she’d said. She couldn’t say she was finished and that Dominique should go back to wherever she’d come from.

“I can do better,” Dominique continued, her gaze pleading. “I can change.”

“I’m not sure I believe that,” Charlie admitted. “But I’ll accept that you...care.” Love, she thought. She wasn’t ready to go there. But caring was a little easier.

“I do. I want this to work. We can be there for each other.”

“Oh, joy.”

Dominique either didn’t get or easily ignored the sarcasm. “Did you know there’s a dance school here in Fool’s Gold?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?” Horror swept through her. “No,” she said quickly, holding up both hands. “No way. You can’t.”

Her mother beamed at her. “I already did. I bought it.”

“When?”

“I made the offer this morning. It’s very generous, so I’m sure she’ll agree. The owner will stay on as the director, but we’re changing the name to the Dominique Guérin Academy of Dance. I’ll offer creative direction.”

Charlie stifled a groan. “From, ah, New York?”

Her mother smiled. “That wouldn’t be very practical, would it? No, I’ll live here part-time. I’ll keep the house in New York and London but sell the one in Los Angeles. This will be my West Coast residence.”

“Fool’s Gold?” Charlie was impressed she could speak what with her chest so tight.

“Yes. It will be wonderful. I won’t be teaching. Can you imagine me with a class full of beginning students? I would intimidate them too much. Perhaps I can give the older students a lecture or two. The ones that have promise. I could help them.”

“Just knowing you’re around will be an inspiration,” Charlie said, almost meaning what she was saying. She was sure that for some little kid all excited about dance, Dominique was a big deal.

“I hope so. While I’m in town, we can spend time together. I meant what I said, Charlie. I want us to get to know each other. We’re the only family each of us has left.”

There was a sense of inevitability in the situation, Charlie thought. Her mother’s use of her preferred version of her name was a huge concession. Perhaps she should stop fighting and simply accept. Dominique would never be warm and fuzzy, but someone who doted too much would drive Charlie crazy. Dan had loved them both and they had both loved Dan. That was a place for them to start.

Charlie stood and motioned for her mother to do the same. Dominique did as she requested. For a second they looked at each other, then Charlie held out her arms. Her tiny, perfect mother flung herself at her daughter and hung on tight. Charlie did the same. In that moment, it seemed like they might never let go.

* * *

CLAY STARED AT the tidy rows that would grow into his alfalfa crop. The planting was done and now there was just the waiting.

“I’d say it’s like having a baby,” Shane told him. “But I’m thinking this is cleaner.”

Clay chuckled. “And no one’s screaming.”

His brother winced. “Don’t even joke about that. Not with Annabelle pregnant.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“I don’t want to think about her in pain.”

It was a part of birth, Clay thought. The cycle of life and all that, but he didn’t think his brother was in a mood to be philosophical.

“She’s not in pain now,” Clay said.

“Good point. I heard from Rafe this morning.”

“Me, too. I don’t think he and Heidi are ever coming home.” So far the newlyweds had put off their return twice.

“Heidi will eventually start to miss her goats,” Shane said. “Sooner would be better for me. Athena is getting a wild look in her eye. I think she’s planning a breakout.”

Heidi’s small herd was mostly well behaved. But every now and then Athena organized a field trip.

“As long as she doesn’t let Priscilla out,” Clay said. “I don’t think Fool’s Gold is ready for a free-roaming elephant.”

The two men turned from the field and headed toward the truck.

“How’s the house coming?” Clay asked.

“Nearly finished. It will be done by mid-October.” Shane shook his head. “Annabelle is willing to move in with me, but she’s still insisting on waiting until next year to marry me.” He muttered something under his breathing that sounded like “damn fool woman” but was smart enough not to say it too loud.