With as much grace as possible, she went to sit across from Doreen Bentley. “I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again. If you’re here for money, you’re wasting your time.”
A timid hope faded from Doreen’s tear-filled eyes.
Sissy felt ashamed of herself, but only for a moment. This was the woman who nearly gave birth to her only child under an apple tree. The woman who always put her husband first, no matter what he did. The woman who had allowed her daughter to be abused, not once, but countless times. Sissy knew her father had fractured her cheekbone twice when she was young because of dental X-rays she’d undergone as an adult. She hadn’t been taken to a doctor either time, because questions would have been asked. Douglas Bentley might have been arrested for child abuse.
José came to take their orders. Doreen asked for coffee. Sissy looked up at her friend and said, “Nothing for me, thanks. I won’t be here that long.”
When José walked away, Doreen, with a lift of her chin, a chin that Sissy saw in her mirror every morning, said, “You and I need to talk. I deserve nothing from you but your contempt. The same goes for your father. But there are things I need to say.”
“Then say them. And when you’re finished, I have a few things to get off my chest as well.”
“My divorce from your father is now final. All that’s left is to clear up the financial mess. He fought me in court because he thought I was hiding assets. Oregon splits marital assets right down the middle. My legal fees went through the roof.”
José served Doreen coffee. Sissy waited until he was out of earshot to ask, “So you really did divorce him?”
“After two years of duking it out with him in court, yes. He got an attorney who was willing to roll the dice to get a percentage of what money Doug could get from me. That’s all over now, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s completely out of my life. At least I’ve been granted a divorce.”
“What do you mean, he isn’t out of your life?”
“He stalks me. Your father thinks of me as a possession that’s been stolen from him.” She shrugged. “Not that long ago I left class at night, and as I crossed the parking lot, he leaped out, grabbed my arm, and tried to drag me to his truck. He said he was taking me home where I belonged. I fought, and he beat the hell out of me. I now have a restraining order, and I haven’t seen him since. But I know him. I’m more careful now. Like a bad penny, he’ll always show up. Today as I drove here, I kept checking my rearview mirror. I never saw his old truck.”
“Be more than careful,” Sissy warned. “We both know he’s violent when he’s drunk.”
Doreen shrugged. “He’s beyond violent. But with the restraining order, I’m fairly safe. He doesn’t want to go to prison. He beat me up pretty bad. The only time I’ll ever have to see him again is when he signs an agreement, which my attorney drew up, saying that Doug has accepted the money I’ll give him and relinquishes his right to all other marital assets. Not that there’s much. Doug’s smart, in his way. He knows he can’t draw blood from a turnip.” Doreen stared into her coffee for a moment. “I’ll be leaving town early in the morning, and I’ll never be back unless you invite me, which you may never do. That makes me sad. You’re my daughter, and I love you, but I understand that some mistakes a mother makes can never be erased with only an apology.”
Sissy couldn’t think what to say. “How do you plan to survive without the occasional income he brought in when he got desperate for booze?”
Doreen smiled. In the overhead light, touches of gray showed in her red hair. “Actually, Sissy, I was mostly Doug’s sole means of support for years, not the other way around. Surviving on my own, without feeding him or buying his liquor, is a piece of cake.” She lifted her narrow shoulders. “And I have a nice nest egg. After you were safely out of the picture, I started keeping half of my earnings and hiding it from Doug.” She met Sissy’s gaze. “I know I was a horrible mother, but at least I waited until you left before stirring that particular pot. He went berserk the first time I brought home cash instead of a check. He could no longer tell how much I’d actually been paid.”
“He beat you.”
“No more than usual, and by keeping half my money, I was giving him what he considered to be a reason.” She winked at Sissy. “And, no, I never put the money in the bank. I worked, cashed my checks, and took home half. I kept my other earnings a secret in a safe-deposit box. Sometimes it was rough, but I could always eat at the restaurant where I worked, and he couldn’t.”
“At least he was the one who went hungry. But, Mom, what if he hires an investigator and discovers the safety-deposit box? Then he can take half your nest egg.”
“Nope. I emptied it of money and put family mementos in it. Someone I trust is keeping the cash for me in another safety-deposit box in his name. He’s sharp. He knows the law. Cash leaves no paper trail. He was so glad I wasn’t stupid enough to open a bank account to put my money in. Doug could have taken half of it then.”
Doreen glanced around the restaurant. “I peeked through the windows at your café. How are you doing financially? I know how difficult it can be to keep a small business afloat at first. If you need some cash, I owe you at least that much. I can postpone my own plans to open a business and replenish my savings over time.”
Sissy thought for a moment that she needed to swab out her ears. Her mother was offering to give her money. “The Cauldron is financially stable. If you’re fishing to see how well I’m doing, hoping to bleed me, you can forget it. I’ve saved to do a remodel, and every penny of that will go toward making my café more attractive to a younger crowd.”
Doreen nodded. “I noticed that it’s very shabby in there. And I’m not hoping to get any money from you. I have plenty to carry forward with my own plans.”
“Which are?”
Doreen smoothed her hair. “You’ll laugh. I hope to open a café. It’s the farm girl in me, I suppose. The one thing I’m really good at is cooking, and God knows all my work experience has been in restaurants.”
“You really plan to start a business?” Sissy couldn’t keep a note of incredulity out of her voice.
“Mabel did it. Why shouldn’t I? I’m still young. Having you at sixteen was pure hell at the time, but now I’m footloose, fancy-free, and only forty-three. Excuse me. It’s my new motto since my recent birthday.”
Though still feeling dazed by the changes in her mother, Sissy approved of her plan to open a café. “I’m proud of you, Mom. You’re thinking outside the box.”
Doreen laughed. “I’ve been thinking outside the box for nearly four years. The first year after leaving your father was rough. I went back to Homesville, for one, and had to face my family as a used-up, beaten-up, frantic person with no idea what I planned to do except get away from my husband.” She paused and swallowed, making her larynx bob in her throat. “My whole family welcomed me with open arms.”
“Oh, Mom.” Sissy couldn’t maintain the cool separation between her and her mother any longer. She reached out to grasp her slender hand, so much like her own. “I’m so glad you went home. Was it eventually a positive choice for you?”
“Positive? Not at first. Mama insisted that I needed counseling. She was terrified I’d go back to Doug.”
“So did you go to counseling?” At the edge of her mind, Sissy thought that her grandmother had given Doreen sound advice.
“Oh, yes. The first time, she had to drag me, but I went. It was group therapy. I couldn’t imagine talking with strangers about my life with Doug, and I expected to see a bunch of battered, pathetic, hopeless women exactly like me. But instead the group consisted of several professional women who’d remained members to be supportive of those of us who were new and give us a visual of how it might be for each of us after recovery.” She waved her hand. “Not to say there weren’t a lot of women like me. We were all a mess. But with the help of the therapi
st and those women who’d already been through the program, we began taking baby steps toward new beginnings.”
Doreen fiddled with her napkin. “The funny part was, I didn’t comprehend that I needed help. None of us really did. We all ended up with men who convinced us that we were stupid and undesirable, and that everything that went wrong in the relationships was our fault.” She passed her hand over her eyes and forced a smile. “That part of my life is behind me. I have nearly three years of college under my belt now. I’m three semesters away from having my bachelor’s degree in business management and I’ve already completed two years at an accredited culinary arts school. I no longer believe I’m stupid. In fact, I’m excited about my future. So let’s discuss yours instead.”
Somehow their conversation went from strained to almost pleasant. Sissy revealed details about her plans for the café renovations. Doreen, judging by what she’d glimpsed of the café, approved. “It’ll draw in young families and provide more seating, and you’ve even included a gas log fireplace. I think it’ll be awesome.”
Sissy agreed. “In order to save up the money, I haven’t taken a single day off. Well, I did take one day, which was wonderful, and I couldn’t work during my recovery after falling down the stairs. But a friend of mine took over for me.” Calling Ben a friend made Sissy’s heart catch. “Well, more than a friend. We’re engaged. I’m madly in love for the very first time. Someday, maybe, I’ll invite you here to meet him.”
“But not today.” Doreen nodded. “I was a horrible mother, a coward, and the enabler of a child abuser. You needn’t avoid saying that to me. In group, I said it aloud plenty of times. As your mother, I sinned against you, Sissy. I’ll ask for your forgiveness when I feel you’re ready, but for now, I’m just grateful you’re talking to me.”
Now it was Sissy’s turn to get tears in her eyes. “Mama, you were never the one who was cruel to me.”
“Oh, yes. I didn’t pack in the middle of the night and run to get you away from him. Looking back, I don’t know where my head was. I felt unattractive, inept, and helpless. Men like Doug Bentley are experts at browbeating women. That’s no excuse for my behavior, I know, but I didn’t believe I had it in me to feed you and keep a roof over your head if I left him.” She reached for her coat, which lay beside her on the seat. “While I drive home, I’m going to pray with every roll of the tires that what I’ve told you may help you to forgive me. I’m going to pray that our talk today may be a new beginning for us. And if it’s not, I’m going to pray that you have a wonderful life with that nice young man of yours. Please watch for the signs. Having grown up with your father, you should know them well.”
Sissy searched her mother’s face. “Ben isn’t a Doug Bentley. He’s smart, patient, caring, generous, and never says mean things to me or anyone. He’s so wonderful I can’t begin to list all his attributes.”
Doreen smiled. “So what are his flaws, Sissy? They’re there. None of us is perfect. Be sure you’re seeing him through clear lenses.”
Sissy laughed. She hadn’t expected to do that during this meeting. “Oh, he has them. He’s stubborn. When he set his sights on me, I couldn’t get rid of him.”
Doreen nodded. “He knew a good thing when he saw it. Go on.”
Sissy thought a moment. “He’s a little too protective. He used to jump in and do everything for me. Or decide what was best for me. But he’s a caring man, and I think he came to realize that I need to make my own choices and feel independent. For instance, when you called me he didn’t approve when I decided to walk over here. He said that I owe you nothing, and he was afraid you might have lied about being divorced from my father.”
Doreen chuckled. “But he allowed you to come. I haven’t seen a man peering through the windows to check on you.”
“He didn’t allow me to come, Mama.” Sissy paused, amazed that she’d addressed her mother twice as she had as a kid. “Ben isn’t my boss. He doesn’t rule me. He’s working his ass off right now to keep my business afloat, so maybe he’s still a little protective of me, but in a good way. Without him, I’d be in hurt city financially right now.”
“Does he drink?”
Sissy almost laughed again. “Yes. A little. We’ll have a glass or two of wine. I imagine he enjoys a beer now and then with his brothers. But I’ve never seen him drunk.”
Doreen, slender enough to slip on her jacket while seated in the booth, said, “I’m proud of you. At least I taught you one good thing. Look closely at a man before you leap.” She slid from the seat to gaze down at Sissy. Looking up at her, Sissy couldn’t help but note how alike they were in appearance except for their coloring. “Remember those prayers I’ll be saying as I drive home. And be happy with Ben. It sounds as if you’ve found a winner. There’s nothing more wonderful than a healthy relationship.”
Sissy raised her eyebrows. “You’ve met someone.” It wasn’t a question.
“Oh, yeah.” Doreen grinned. “And he’s everything Doug isn’t. I played it smart this time.”
Sissy struggled up from the booth. Doreen slid her gaze from the top of Sissy’s head to her feet, one still in a cast. When she looked back up, she said, “You are a beautiful woman. Remember that. I know you aren’t ready for a hug. But blowing you a kiss good-bye should work.”
Sissy could have sworn she felt the kiss, as if it had somehow drifted through the air and landed on her cheek. It wasn’t until her mother left the restaurant that Sissy touched her lips to her palm and blew a kiss back.
When she hobbled into the Cauldron seconds later and reached the kitchen, Ben asked, “So, how did it go?”
“She’s divorced my dad. I think. My mother isn’t above lying. But I actually believe she left him.”
“Good for her.”
“I think she’d like to see me again, but I’m wary. I don’t want to invite that kind of craziness back into my life.”
Ben kept chopping onions. “Good for you.”
After visiting with her mom and remembering so many things she didn’t wish to about her father—how domineering and cruel he’d been, in particular—Sissy loved Ben even more. As caring as he was, he didn’t want to run her life. He’d disagreed with her decision to see her mother, but he also appreciated that Sissy needed to make her own decisions. If she made mistakes, he’d be there to comfort her. If she made the right choices, he’d be there to pat her on the back. She was still calling her own shots, and it was a fabulous feeling.
* * *
Shortly before Thanksgiving Ben’s whole family came to the café to celebrate Ben and Sissy’s engagement. Sissy had expected to feel nervous, wondering if she was being sized up as to her suitability, but she enjoyed being with Ben’s loved ones. While watching them, she learned what it could be like in a normal family, with brothers and sisters teasing one another while the parents looked on with indulgent smiles.
Ben waited until the café was crowded with his relatives and customers before he drew Sissy up from the lounge and yelled to be heard over the roar of conversation, “I have an announcement to make!”
A sudden hush fell over the dining room. Sissy felt her cheeks go warm, not with embarrassment, but pleasure. This man, whom she’d come to love so deeply, was about to tell the world that he wanted to make her his wife.
“As all of you may have guessed, I am madly in love with this beautiful lady.” He grinned down at Sissy. “And though it may seem a little too soon to some of you, we’ve spent so much time in each other’s company that we both feel we know each other better than we’ve ever known anyone. So I asked Sissy to marry me.” Ben grasped Sissy’s left hand and held it up so everyone could see her engagement ring. “She accepted, and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
People clapped their hands. Some of the men stomped and whistled. Sissy found herself being hugged, first by members of Ben’s family and then by customers. While lying o
n the lounge, she’d had time to grow acquainted with practically all her regular patrons, and she now counted them as her friends, loving them almost as much as she did Blackie, Christopher, Marilyn, and the VeArds.
After all the congratulatory hugs and handshakes, Ben went behind the counter to serve drinks on the house. Even Christopher indulged in a glass of wine, saying, “If one glass kills me, I’ll die a happy man. My honorary granddaughter has found herself a damned good husband.”
Everyone cheered and a few people patted the stooped old man on the back. Charlie Bogart yelled, “Bottoms up, Chris. Walk on the wild side tonight. Did she adopt you, or did you adopt her?”
Christopher raised his glass. “I adopted her. I’m her grandpa now, whether she likes it or not.”
Sissy limped over to Christopher and gave him a gentle hug. “I’m going to call you Gramps. Whether you like it or not.”
Sissy still tired easily, and her leg had begun to ache, so she lay on the lounge with her cast propped up on pillows to enjoy watching everyone party. Both Ben’s family and many customers stayed long after the usual closing time. She knew many of her older patrons were staying up late in order to celebrate their engagement. She had finally found love and a place she could call home.
Studying the Sterling men, she noticed how greatly they resembled one another, yet each of them had different character traits that made them special. Sarah and Adriel, Ben’s younger sisters, had taken after their mother, with slight builds. Sissy didn’t often meet women who were as energetic as she was, but she realized that she’d met her matches in Kate and her daughters.
That thought made Sissy more impatient to get her cast removed. The doctor had made it clear that she’d need weeks of physical therapy, but she looked forward to even that. She would be able to go for her triweekly treatments in Mystic Creek. It would hurt at first. But it would be worth whatever she had to endure in order to be active again.