I kept quiet, because I didn’t trust my words.
“I just…wanted to try it on for a second. To feel that energy, pretend for a minute I was his wife. That Jasper Varley gave me that ring.”
“That’s all very touching, Claudette. Still doesn’t explain why you took it.”
“I heard someone coming up the stairs and I panicked, because it was still on my finger. I just grabbed that box and slipped it in my pocket. One of your aunts came into the bedroom and asked what I was doing, so I started to cry, because I was genuinely heartbroken and ashamed. But she thought I was in there grieving your mom. She made me come downstairs and have a cup of tea. Soon as I had my tea, I left.”
“With the ring. And it never occurred to you to bring it back at a later date.”
“Oh sure it did, but by then your daddy had called me and said he didn’t want to see me no more. He’d said that lots before, you understand. But this time he meant he literally didn’t want to see me. In person. At all. Ever again. I kept that ring because I was angry and stupid and because I liked all those soft loving bits of energy that came off it. Made me feel like I had a little piece of Jasper’s love with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Got it.”
“He’s got no idea I’m up here from Florida right now, and I’d be pleased if you wouldn’t tell him. About me being here, and about what I did. Stealing and all.”
“I won’t share this with him. He’s got enough on his plate.”
“But what will you tell him about the ring, when you return it?”
I threw my hands up, then shrugged. “I’ll make something up. Not your problem now.”
“Is he all right? Jasper? He healthy?”
“He’s fine.”
“Is he still living on the water?”
I shook my head. “I’m not gonna discuss my father.”
“All right then.” She nodded. “Well, that’s what I came to tell you, and to apologize of course. There’s just one more thing I need to say.”
I sipped my coffee. Claudette’s blue eyes watched me expectantly. “Go on,” I said.
“You’re dating my kid.”
“Orion?”
“Yeah. He’s my kid.”
“Foster kid.”
“No, I said he’s my kid. He’s dead set on you, apparently. I told him I guess least one of us should get to have a Varley man all to ourselves, and we laughed about that. But in truth I was scared to death when he told me about you.”
I set my mug down and leaned forward. “Why?”
“Orion and I been through hell and back together. I taught him to control his gifts. And I helped heal his broken parts. I know, your daddy gets all the credit for saving him. The men always get the credit. But Orion is my kid, and I love him. And whether you like it or not, he loves me. But I’m worried you’ll try turning him against me. Because of what me and your dad did.”
“Oh.” I sat back in my chair. “Look, Claudette. I hate what you did and I hate what my father did. But you seem like a nice lady. A little cuckoo, but nice.”
She chuckled. “That’s fair.”
“You and I are never going be friends, obviously. But I care about Orion, and you’re his mom. I would never interfere with his family or make his relationship with you difficult. You have my word.”
For the first time she smiled fully, blue eyes sparkling. “Thank you.” She set her mug down and stood. “For that. And for calling me his mom.”
I nodded once. “You heading back to Florida?”
“Tonight, yes. Just flew up to see my kids and to…take care of all this.”
“Well, safe travels.”
“Thank you.”
I followed her to the front yard, then stopped and watched as she approached her car. “Hey, Claudette?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t get it, honestly. Jasper ain’t all that.”
She threw her head back and laughed, then opened the car door. “Yeah, he is, honey. I wish he wasn’t. But he is.”
I watched her drive away, then went back inside to get the ring. It was time to head over to my father’s house, and try giving him some peace of mind. I wasn’t angry with my father anymore, I realized. Not sure when that happened. I supposed I needed to accept that even though he’d presented as a perfectionist while raising me, Jasper Varley was an imperfect man. He’d done bad things, but he’d also done good things. Like everyone, I supposed.
My father desperately wanted to put the past behind him, but I could see that it had forever made its mark on him. His choices and actions, losing my mom, living with guilt, it had all changed him. He was a different person now.
But so was I. And if I wanted to move forward with my own kids, I needed to accept that maybe I hadn’t always been a perfect dad either. The thought of them not forgiving me for that was unbearable. So I made a decision to forgive my father, even if my mother didn’t. I forgave him, and I loved him. Because he was my dad.
The only one I had.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“I can’t believe it.” Jasper held the open ring box, shaking his head. “You actually found it. Unbelievable!”
I brought him a cup of tea and sat down next to him on his living room couch. I needed to relay my mother’s message now, but I wanted to soften him up first. “Here, made you some tea.”
He took the mug but immediately set it down on the coffee table. “Kora help you locate it?”
“Chapel, actually.”
“So where was it?”
I gave him my pre-rehearsed lie. “When Mom died, I ended up with some of her coats, in case Mia wanted them. The ring was in a coat pocket.”
“Unbelievable. I’m so pleased. Hell, I’m gonna have to think of something pretty damn special to give Matthew for his birthday so he doesn’t feel left out.”
“Yeah, me too.” I glanced out the bay window and spotted Orion on the seawall. A wheelbarrow sat on the lawn nearby. I inhaled sharply as he did a little spin, then a one-handed cartwheel. “What the hell is he doing out there?”
Jasper looked up. “He’s supposed to be weeding my front lawn.”
I watched as Orion went into a handstand on the seawall. His tee shirt lowered, showing part of his belly, then he walked his legs over, leapt, and did a double spin. “He’s making me nervous.”
Jasper shrugged. “He does that shit all the time. Don’t worry, he never falls off.”
I watched as Orion did a standing backflip. “Jesus Christ!” I went to the front door and pulled it open. “Orion!”
“Don’t bother,” Jasper said. “I’ve tried. He won’t listen.”
Orion did a pirouette, then stopped, smiling when he saw me. “Hey, tough guy.”
“Get off the seawall.”
His smile widened. “Why?”
“Because I said so. Get down. Now.”
He hopped off the wall, stuck his tongue out at me, then crouched down and began pulling up weeds. I closed the door and sat on the couch again.
“Huh.” Jasper picked up his mug. “He never listens when I yell at him like that.”