be. But I’m glad Cash bought it even if you don’t want to live here.”
Her expression is a little sad. “I don’t know why he keeps doing things like this. He knows I’m not moving.” She adjusts the headband holding her dark hair from her face. “Though this is the first time he bought me a mansion.”
I suddenly feel an overwhelming need to speak up for her son. “I really do think he was trying to do a nice thing.”
Gracie gives me a speculative look. “You’re defending my son. How unusually delightful.”
Stinging heat travels up my neck and settles in my cheeks. “I just know that he loves you very much.”
“I love him too, but I didn’t think you were a fan of my boy.” She grins, and the corners of her eyes crinkle just like Cash’s.
I laugh. “He’s grown on me.”
“Have I now?”
My head whips around so fast that I nearly lose my balance. “Cash. How long have you been standing there?”
He saunters into the room. That hundred-million-dollar arm wraps around his mom’s shoulders. “Hi, Mama.”
She pats his hand and leans into him. “Hey, baby.”
“I see Tiger’s already started the tour. I’m going to jump in the shower and then I’ll join you.” He grins at me. “By all means, continue to sing my praises. I’ll need it if I have any hope of getting her to move in here.”
“Cash—”
“I know, Mom, I know.” He kisses her head. “Do you mind continuing the tour, Tiger? I want her to see my new house. The one I’m going to live in.”
His mom and I both gawk at him. “What?” we say together.
He laughs. “Well, not all the time, but in the off-season and when I’m in town to visit. It’s a great house, even if my mother doesn’t see that.”
“I never said it wasn’t a great house. I said I don’t want to live in it.” She pinches his side. “Big difference.”
“Ouch,” he laughs.
“Go shower, you stink.” The words are scolding, but she may as well be singing him a lullaby with the way they ring with love.
My heart squeezes at the sight of them. They clearly disagree on the subject of the house, and if his mom’s comments are any indication, then she knows he’s caught up in the status of his lifestyle, but still they joke and love each other. I wish that for myself, but it won’t ever happen. So I wish it for my children.
Forty-One
Cash
I shower quickly and slip on a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt. I find Tiger and my mom laughing in the sunroom situated at the northeast corner of the house.
“This is a new addition to the house,” Tiger is saying. “I can only imagine how wonderful it will be to have coffee in here in the mornings. I picture a couple of oversized chairs for reading and lots of flowering plants.”
She draws such a perfect picture that I can see the two of us in that scenario. What am I thinking? I am keeping the house, but not so Tiger can live here with me.
Why not? You know you’re crazy about her.
Yes, but it’s not like I’m in love with her.
Who am I fooling? I’ve been in love with her since she brushed my hair out of my face and called me brave. I’ve just been too stupid and pigheaded to admit it. I can admit it now.
I love Tiger Lyons.
The thought rolls around my head like a ball trying to find a place to fit. Everything clicks into place once it settles into the slot that’s always been reserved for her. I wait for the panic that comes with this life-changing realization, but my pulse stays as steady as a rock. Probably because deep down, I’ve always known we were meant to be together.
I join the two most important women in my life. “Hey, sorry, did I miss the tour?”
“Yes, but Tiger did a great job. It’s a lovely house, Cash. Tiger, you can tell Donny that I said you’ve done a beautiful job with the renovation.”
I don’t miss that Tiger stands a little taller at my mom’s compliments. It’s the nicest thing she could’ve said to my girl.
My girl. I guess I should talk to her about that before I get in too deep. But I know she feels the same. I can see it when she looks at me, feel it when she touches me.