Page 5 of The Enforcer

“I haven’t. I’ll never forget it,” Edna said. “That’s the stock this one here has running through his blood.” She nodded toward Nolan. “This one’s a Hayes, through and through.”

Penelope’s gaze flickered briefly to Nolan before she returned her attention to Edna. “When I think of this place, I think of hunger and that frigid shack we lived in and never having anything pretty to wear. I don’t want that for my daughter.”

Edna cocked her head to the side, her eyes glistening. “I understand. But that’s not how it’ll be for her here. We were poor. And our father was distant and stern. But that has nothing to do with Sugarville Grove and everything to do with him.”

“And the bottle,” Penelope said.

Suddenly it all made sense to Nolan. No wonder Penelope was so against this place. To her it represented her sorrowful, tragic childhood. Which was not the experience his father had had growing up here. The Hayes family represented everything Penelope never had. For them to have shown up tonight probably felt like a slap in the face. A reminder of the family Penelope and Edna never had.

Perhaps that’s why Laney’s mother had liked the idea of Josh. His family was rich. He ran in the right circles. And he had nothing to do with Penelope Gray’s past, only her present.

Before he could contemplate that further, a nurse entered the room and walked over to them. “Laney’s awake. She’s asking for her mother.”

Penelope leaned forward, a look of hope on her face. “She did? For me.”

The nurse nodded. “Yes, would you like to see her?”

“Yes, please.” Penelope rose to her feet, reaching for her husband’s hand. “We’ll both go in, if that’s all right?”

“Sure thing.” The nurse asked them to follow her.

After they left, Nolan and Edna sat side by side.

Would Laney ask for him? Or was he a fool? Sitting here, thinking they were soulmates when it only took her mother’s disapproval to change Laney’s mind?

“It doesn’t mean that,” Edna said, as if he’d spoken out loud. “A girl just wants her mother when she’s unwell.”

“Yeah, sure.” Nolan shifted, uncomfortable in the hard chair.

“Penny called me earlier to tell me Laney gave her the what for. About you, that is. She said Laney seemed sure that what was happening between you was special. The real thing.”

His heart surged with hope. “Really?”

“Yes. Our Laney’s finally learned how to stand up for herself instead of doing whatever her mother wants. She’s grown since she came here. As painful as it was to learn the truth about two people she trusted, it’s given Laney a great gift. It was time for her to make her own destiny, not fulfill what her mother thought it should be.” Edna patted his knee. “Have a little faith.”

He closed his eyes, weary. “Thanks, Edna. Laney and I were in this little world of our own and suddenly it was shaken up. The moment I saw Laney’s reaction to her mother, I thought I may have lost her.”

“And then this happened, which only made Penelope all the more intent on bringing Laney home. But none of that has anything to do with you and Laney. You two have to stick fast to what you believe to be true, no matter what anyone else says.”

Penelope and Tucker returned to the lobby. It was obvious that Penelope had been crying, but Tucker had a sweet, relieved smile on his face.

Nolan and Edna stood to greet them. “How is she?” Nolan asked.

“She’s very well,” Tucker said. “Spleen-less but other than that, she’s our same perfect girl.”

“Laney asked for you to visit next,” Penelope said to Nolan. “But you can’t stay too long. She needs to rest.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nolan turned to Edna. “Do you want to come with me?”

Edna put her hand on Nolan’s arm. “No, that’s all right. You two lovebirds chat first, and then I’ll come kiss her good night.”

“We’re going to head back to the inn,” Tucker said.

“I’ll drive you home,” Edna said to Nolan. To Tucker and her sister, she said, “Don’t worry about us. Just get some rest.”

Tucker and Penelope gathered their things. Nolan gave Edna a quick hug. “I won’t be long.”

To his surprise, Penelope turned to him. “I’m sorry if I was rude. She’s my little girl. And this place has a lot of baggage for me. But you clearly care about her.”