“That’s what I came by to talk to you about.” Pops pulled the ottoman in front of Dusty and sat. “I’ve got more money than I need after selling the café to Teressa and Sylvie and Adam.”
Dusty reared back. “No way. That’s your money. You need it.”
“Not all of it. I planned to put aside a healthy sum for each of you to inherit. I gave the family home to Sylvie, so why can’t I give you money? You need it. I don’t. I always said better to give with a warm hand than a cold heart. This way I get to enjoy watching you spend it.”
“I don’t know, Pops. I just... I never figured...” Goddamn it, he was not going to start blubbering in front of his father.
“I know you didn’t. That’s what makes giving you money all the more enjoyable. I talked to Muriel at the bank. She’s going to transfer fifty thousand into your account tomorrow. Maybe you can hire one or two carpenters to work during the day while you’re fishing. Buy a few appliances. Whatever. It’s yours to do with as you see fit.”
They both stood, and Dusty felt his father’s strong arms around him. A father’s hug—his father’s hugs were a wonderful thing. Would he be as good of a father as his own dad was? He had a lot to learn and a long way to go, but at least his family had his back. Could be, things wouldn’t be so bad.
* * *
TERESSA HELD HER arm protectively over her stomach as her mother’s words drilled into her.
“Can you not keep your legs closed to anyone? What are you, the village whore?” Her mother’s face flared fiery red, and she screeched loud enough that Teressa worried the children would hear, and if they could, would they understand the foul words that were coming out of their grandmother’s mouth? She’d known breaking the news to her mother was going to be bad, but she hadn’t anticipated the depth of Linda’s bitter disappointment.
“That’s uncalled for,” Teressa responded.
“Is it? What’s uncalled for is having a slut for a daughter.”
Teressa flinched, but refused to let her tears take over. Had she really thought something good might come out of her pregnancy? That for once in her life, she’d be happy? Or if not happy, content? Dusty had almost made her believe it was within her reach. But then she’d known Dusty had a glib tongue. What she’d do to feel his arms around her right now. She’d considered asking him to come over and support her while she told her mother about the pregnancy, but at the last moment decided against involving him. It had been a good call.
“Where do you think you’re going to live? You can’t stay here. It’s too small. The money I could have made renting this place out.”
“That’s not fair. I pay rent.”
Her mother snorted. “A portion of what it’s worth. You’ll have to move in with us. It’s the only solution.”
And eat crow for the rest of her life?
“We’re moving in with Dusty.” Oh, God, where had that come from? Now that she’d told her mother, she couldn’t take it back. Dusty had looked so relieved when she’d turned down his offer to move into his house.
“You can’t think a decent man like Dusty is going to put up with you for long. He’s not stupid, Teressa. No man wants used goods, and someone else’s children to boot.”
Teressa sagged. Hadn’t the very same thought plagued her continuously? What happened when Dusty woke up to the fact that this wasn’t one of his wild romps? That she and her children weren’t going to disappear? But she’d be damned if she’d admit her fears to her mother. The woman would feast on them like a starving vulture.
“I guess that’s something Dusty and I will have to discuss.”
Her mother’s voice peaked into an even sharper screech. “I won’t have my child and grandchildren treated like charity cases. It’s bad enough everyone knows you’re a slut. You’ll move in with us. That’s the end of it.”
“I’d rather live in a shelter than live with you.”
Linda’s hand connected with Teressa’s face at the same time the outside door opened. Tears that Teressa had held in check spilled over when she saw the horror stamped on Dusty’s face as he stood in the doorway. She hadn’t wanted him to bear witness to any of the ugliness her mother directed at her. The woman had just straight-out called her own daughter a slut. Which was totally unfair.
Everyone froze. Linda looked horror-struck at being caught in a violent act. Teressa could hear Dusty’s heavy breathing. He sounded like a bull about to charge.
“What the hell is this?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Linda thinks the children and I should move in with her and Dad.”
He narrowed his eyes as he continued to stare at her mother. “Not going to happen. She’s moving in with me.”
“Why would you want someone like her to live with you?” A sly look crossed Linda’s face. “Oh, of course. Because everyone knows my daughter puts out.”
“Mother! Stop.” She was going to die from embarrassment on the spot. Her own mother talking about her like that. Did Dusty think the same thing? What if Linda was right? What if she had no worth? Maybe she should admit defeat now rather than wait for the inevitable crash to happen. That Dusty would someday think the same thing was devastating.
A vein pulsed in Dusty’s jaw. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it as if he didn’t trust what would come out. Finally he swallowed and tried again. “Your daughter is ten times the woman you are.” He opened the door. “We’re finished here.”
Teressa choked back her tears. No one had ever defended her before, not even her own father.
“You can’t kick me out of my own place,” Linda protested.
“If Teressa’s paying rent, I can.”
A look of triumph stretched the skin tight on Linda’s face. “There’s no formal rental agreement. She has no rights.”
“It’s okay, Dusty.” She tugged on his arm. “I’ll handle this.”
He finally looked her full in the face, and his anger blasted over her. “It’s not okay. Go pack whatever you and the kids need for a couple of days. You’re moving to my place tonight.”
He turned to Linda. “We’ll be back tomorrow to get everything else.
“Come on, Teressa.” He took her by the arm and led her down the hallway. “Let me help.”
Teressa’s heart broke, and broke again when they stumbled into the children’s room to find Sarah hugging her baby brother. Tears rolled down Sarah’s cheeks and Brendon watched her with round, frightened eyes. She felt Dusty hesitate before he continued onto the bed where both children cuddled. If she had been in his shoes, she honestly couldn’t say that she wouldn’t have turned and run out the door.
She sat and gathered her babies into her arms, rocking them back and forth. She knew they both needed a minute to overcome the rush of relief they probably felt at seeing that she was okay. This was not the first time she and her mother had come to blows.
She felt broken inside. If she moved too fast or breathed too hard, she’d shatter. Not only because her mother hated her, but also because Dusty had witnessed Linda’s disdain for her. What if he thought the same thing, that she didn’t deserve respect? “Mama, are you hurt?” Brendon patted her cheek where her mother had hit her. She should have gone to the washroom first to check if Linda had left any