“I do, actually. I’ve only had the business for a couple years, so we’re still growing, but it’s going very well so far. I have high hopes for it.”
“It takes time to grow a business. And perseverance.”
“I have both. It took me a while to get to the point where I could afford to start up a company, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it succeed.”
Kathleen took her hand and squeezed it. “Years ago, women couldn’t do what you’re doing. I admire you, being a single mother, juggling your own business, and raising that fine son of yours. It’s not easy.”
“Nathan’s worth the sacrifices I’ve had to make.”
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.”
“And you can feel free to tell me it’s none of my business. It won’t hurt my feelings at all. What about Nathan’s father? Did he just not want to be part of his life?”
She could tell Kathleen she didn’t want to talk about it, but surprisingly, she didn’t mind. “I didn’t want him in Nathan’s life. I was only fifteen when I got pregnant, which was stupid, but I knew I wanted to have my baby. And the guy who got me pregnant wasn’t someone I wanted in my life or in my baby’s life. Drugs, theft, time in jail—he was a total loser. I made him sign away rights to my child before he got sent off to prison. He can never make a claim to Nathan now.”
Kathleen nodded. “Even then you did what was necessary to protect your child. You were smart.”
“I was dumb. I shouldn’t have gotten pregnant. But Nathan didn’t need to suffer for my stupidity. And how could I regret having him? He’s everything to me.”
Kathleen’s eyes watered. “A good mother is willing to lay down her life for her child. You’re a good mother.”
Tara blinked back tears. “Thank you. I don’t think anyone’s ever told me that.”
“Your mother?”
Tara laughed. “That’s a topic for another day and another conversation. I think I’ve burdened you enough for our first meeting. Any more, and you’ll tell your son to run as far away from me as he possibly can.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Tara. My son, like me, is a very good judge of character. I don’t need to tell him what to do. If he chose you to be in his life, it’s because he thinks you’re good for him.”
“Thank you, Kathleen. I like Mick very much. I like being with him. I like the way he makes me feel when I’m around him.”
“That’s all I needed to know about you. You never once said you like the things he gives you. It was all about feelings. I’m so glad you’re here this weekend,.”
Her heart swelled with the feeling of family, something she hadn’t felt in—ever. “Me, too, Kathleen.”
MICK LEANED AGAINST THE WALL OF THE HALLWAY, feeling all kinds of guilt for listening in on the conversation Tara was having with his mother.
But he couldn’t help it. He liked hearing her talk to his mom, liked how freely she opened up, talked about the guy who’d gotten her pregnant. One of the things he admired about Tara was how she’d done so much on her own from such a young age. He didn’t know everything about her past, but he was getting glimpses into it little by little. And from what he was getting, he understood that it had been shitty from the start, from her parents to the guy who knocked her up. And she’d gotten where she was today all on her own.
It was time to sit down with her and get the story directly from Tara. He wanted to know more about her. And there were things he needed to tell her about himself. He wanted things to progress between them, because he was starting to care pretty damn deeply about her.
And if you cared a lot about someone, you told them your secrets. And they told you theirs.
So maybe it was time for that talk.
Uh ... soon.
NINE
“YOU BROUGHT A WOMAN HOME.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“This is the first time.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Don’t think it’s going to go unnoticed or that I don’t have questions.”
Tara was upstairs taking a shower before they went out to the bar tonight. Mick’s dad and Nathan had bonded and were off somewhere in his dad’s workshop doing God only knew what. Building ... something together. Which left Mick in the kitchen with his mother.
“So, is it serious?”
Mick leaned against the counter. “I don’t know. We’ve just started seeing each other.”
“That doesn’t matter. Is it serious?”
“Maybe.”
His mom crossed her arms, a smile lifting her lips. “I like her, Michael. A lot.”
She always used his given name when she wanted to get his attention.
“I like her, too, Mom. But I haven’t told her everything yet, so don’t say anything.”
She smacked his arm. “It’s not my place to tell her all your secrets. That’s up to you.” She tsked. “As if I would.”