Allie started to argue that she couldnt let Drew do any more for them and she sure couldnt afford to go out to eat, but stopped as her daughter said, Are you sick, Mama? Her precious daughter looked to her with concern. Allie saw the worry in Nats angelic face. Shed seen it too much lately. It was bad enough that Natalie had recently lost her father. Now more than ever she needed her mother to be sane.
Im fine, sweetie. Its too hot for chili, anyway. So lets go out, why not? Allie said, relieved and thankful for Drew. Not just for coming by to check on them, but for throwing out the pot. She hadnt because her mother-in-law was upset enough and the Taylors were the only family she had, especially now.
Just let me freshen up and change, she said as Drew took Nat to look for her shoes.
In the bathroom, Allie locked the door, turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes. She was still sweating from fear, her heart beating hard against her chest.
You found a what in the chili pot? her mother-in-law had asked in disbelief when Allie had called hera huge mistake in retrospect. But at the time, shed hoped her mother-in-law would understand why she couldnt keep the pot. Why she didnt want it in her house.
I found a squirrel in that cast-iron pot you gave me. When I picked up the lid
No way would a squirrel get into your cabin, let alone climb under a heavy lid like that. Why would it? You must have imagined it. Are you still on those drugs the doctor gave you after my Nicky died?
Allies husband had always been my Nicky to his mother while Mildred had insisted Allie call her Mother Taylor.
No, Mother Taylor, I told you. Allies own mother had died when she was nineteen. Her father had moved, remarried and started a new family. Theyd lost touch. I quit taking the pills a long time ago.
I think its those pills, Mildred had said as if Allie hadnt spoken. You said they had you seeing things that werent there.
The squirrel was there. I had to take it out back and
If I were you, Id talk to your doctor. Why do you need the pills, anyway? It isnt like youre still grieving over my Nicky. Charlotte Reynolds told me she saw you having lunch the other day, you and Natalie, and you were laughing.
Allie had closed her eyes, remembering the lunch in question. I am trying to make things more normal for Nat.
Well, it looks bad, you having a good time while your poor husband is barely cold in his grave.
She wanted to mention that Nick wasnt in his grave, but knew better than to bring that up. Its been eight months.
Like you have to tell me that! Mildred sniffed and blew her nose. Shed cried constantly over the death of her favorite son and couldnt understand why Allie wasnt still doing the same.
We all grieve in our own way and I have a young daughter to raise, Allie had said more times than she wanted to recall.
The phone call had ended with Mildred crying and talking about what a wonderful man her Nicky had been. A lie at best. Hed been a lousy husband and an even worse father, but now that he was dead, he would always be the wonderful man Mildred remembered.
After that, shed learned her lesson. She kept the other crazy things that had been happening to herself. If Mildred knew, she would have her in a straitjacket. And little Nat...? She couldnt
bear to think about Mildred having anything to do with raising her daughter.
So, Drew said as she and Nat sat across from him in a booth at a local café later that evening. Did I hear youve gone back to work?
It was impossible to keep anything a secret in this canyon, Allie thought. She had hoped to keep it from the Taylor family as long as possible.
Dana Savage called me about doing a Western wedding up at her ranch for her cousin Tag and his soon-to-be wife, Lily. She didnt mention that shed accepted the job several months ago. Or how badly she needed the money. With the investigation into Nicks presumed death still unresolved, the insurance company was holding off paying her. Not that it would last long if she didnt get back to work.
Her mother-in-law kept mentioning that big insurance check my Nicky left you, but the insurance money would barely cover a couple years of Natalies college, if that. And Allie hoped to invest it for that very use.
Ive been doing some work at Cardwell Ranch. Nice people to work for. But are you sure youre up to it? Drew asked quietly, real concern in his tone. Mother mentioned that she was worried about you. She said you were still taking the pills and they were making you see things?
Of course Mildred told Drew and his sister, Sarah, everything. Allie tried not to show her irritation. She had no appetite, but she attempted to eat what she could. She didnt want Drew mentioning to his mother, even accidentally, that she wasnt eating much. Mildred would make it into her not taking care of herself.
Im fine. Im not taking the pills. I told your mother
He held up his hand. You dont have to tell me about my mother. She hears only what she wants to hear. Im on your side. I think going back to work might be the best thing for you. So what do you plan to do with Natalie? I dont have to tell you what Mother is going to say.