Page 83 of Wild and Wanted

Stevie barely took in any of her mother’s chatter as they drove slowly from the yards to their cabin. They spoke every day anyway so none of it was news. Her grandmother was doing well and she and the agent were just about to lock in the tour dates.

Blah blah blah.

She was too preoccupied with how her mother’s surprise visit would impact spending her last few nights with Clay. Sneaking out after her mom was asleep was a possibility. Since Yolly’s death her mother took a sleeping tablet every night which generally ensured she had a sound sleep, but damn it – Stevie didn’t want to steal an hour or two here and there. She was leaving in four days; she wanted as much time as possible. Not sneaking in and out of his place in the dead of night like what they were doing was wrong.

They may have been keeping it on the down low but not because it was wrong.

‘Stephanie!’

Her mother’s sharp voice sliced into Stevie’s busy thoughts, and she realised they were pulled up at the cabin but not at the back where her loaner vehicle was parked – at the side where a cottonwood tree shaded the cabin. ‘I’m sorry.’ She forced herself to concentrate on her mom. ‘What did you say?’

Looking pointedly at Stevie’s finger, her mother said, ‘Where is your ring?’

A cold hand clutched Stevie’s stomach. Oh. No. This could not be happening. It wasn’t supposed to be happening. Her mom was not supposed to be here. Stevie was leaving on Sunday for Boston with the ring firmly back on her finger.

And a head full of memories that made a complete mockery of all that it stood for.

But Stevie refused to feel guilty. She knew plenty of guys and girls in that church pledge group who’d broken their promise on the regular but had still worn their rings. And what point was there in alerting her mother or causing her any anxiety?

‘It’s at the cabin,’ she said. It wasn’t but Stevie hoped that would be enough.

‘Yes but… why did you take it off? You’ve never taken it off.’

A tangle of lies chased through Stevie’s head. She’d kneaded a bunch of bread this morning at the bread-making demo and had removed it for hygiene reasons. It was grimy from all the dust. The harsher water out here was reacting with it, causing dermatitis.

But which one would be the most convincing?

It didn’t matter in the end as she’d obviously taken too long to answer or was being far too transparent because her mother’s expression went from mildly suspicious to crushed.

‘Did you break your pledge?’

Good Lord – kill her now. ‘Mom. I’m twenty-two.’ She was twenty-three next month for crying out loud.

‘Is that your way of telling me that you did?’

Stevie let out an exasperated huff. ‘It’s my way of telling you it’s none of your damn business.’ As soon as the words were out, Stevie wished she could take them back.

‘Oh God.’ Her mother’s eyes misted as she fanned her face. ‘You did.’

‘Mom.’

‘Who?’ she demanded.

‘Mom.’

‘Was it one of the other guests?’

Stevie glared at her mother. Was she for real? Whether she was or not, Stevie wasn’t going to just sit here and take this intrusive questioning. She never argued with her mom – that had been Yolly’s thing. She was the good daughter but there was a first time for everything.

Popping her seat belt clasp, she opened the door, got out of the car and slammed it for good measure.

‘Stephanie!’ her mother called after her, but Stevie’s anger carried her all the way inside the cabin.

Her mother followed soon after but if Stevie thought she might be contrite and conciliatory, she was wrong.

‘Why?’ her mother demanded when she found Stevie pacing in the living room, beating a path between the couch and the dining table.

Stevie blinked at the question. ‘Why what?’