Murder in the Smokies - By Paula Graves Page 0,73

least for your cousin Laurie.”

Ivy tried to remember what was going on in Laurie’s life these days. She was married, had two kids, and her husband was overseas somewhere in the army— “Oh, my God, Mom—has something happened to David?”

“Oh, no no no! No, he’s fine as far as I know. It’s Laurie—she got sideswiped the other day on the highway while she was driving home from the grocery store. Broke her left leg in two places and has to have a pin put in, but she’s going to be okay. It’s just a big problem for her, with those two kids to take care of. Your aunt Ellie already watches the kids for her when she has to go to the store or the doctor, but now she’s going to have to watch after Laurie, too, and it’s just going to be too much for her. So I’m heading down to Birmingham to help her out.” Her mother finally took a breath.

“That’s great,” Ivy said, wishing she meant it as much as she wanted to. It would do her mother good to get away from Bitterwood for a while. Maybe she’d learn she liked it there in Birmingham. “You want me to keep a check on your house?”

“Actually, that’s the other good news. You know how the town’s been after me for a while to buy that property so they can expand Ridge Park up into the hills? I finally decided to say yes.” Arlene looked equal parts excited and terrified. “Since I’m going to be in Birmingham at least six weeks, helping Ellie out, this might be a good time to sell the house and maybe look for somewhere else to live.”

“Wow.” Ivy stared at her mother, wondering how long she’d been sitting on that information. “I didn’t even know you were considering it.”

Arlene took Ivy’s hands between hers. “I’ve been trying to talk to you for a few days, you know.”

Ivy gave herself a mental kick. Her mother had left her messages telling her she needed to talk to her, and all Ivy had done was ignore her. “I’m sorry. This case has just been so crazy.” And I’ve been a selfish idiot.

“I know you’ve despaired of me ever growin’ up, Baby Bird, but it’s time, don’t you think? I’m not some young thing anymore, and I’ve finally realized I’m probably never going to find my Prince Charming. So it’s time I find something else to do with my life.” She patted Ivy’s hand. “Maybe I’ll like takin’ care of Laurie and her babies. If I’m good at it, I could look at gettin’ a job at a nursing home or something. Maybe down in Birmingham so I can be near Ellie and the girls. What would you think of that?”

Ivy felt a shredding sensation in the center of her chest, but she managed a genuine smile. “I think it would be good for you,” she said. “I’d love for you to find something that makes you crazy happy, and I know you’d enjoy seeing Aunt Ellie more.”

Arlene hugged her again, tears spilling down her cheeks. She wiped them away with a laugh. “Goodness, look at me, cryin’ like a teenager who’s leavin’ home for the first time!”

“When are you going?”

“Well, I was going to leave this afternoon, but with you gettin’ hurt—”

Ivy shook her head. “You go on to Birmingham, Mama. Drive safely, okay? Don’t get pulled over.”

“You sure?” Arlene asked as Ivy walked with her to the front door. “I can stay if you want me to.”

“Laurie and those kids need you a lot more than I do.”

Arlene cupped Ivy’s cheek. “I don’t reckon you’ve needed me in a long, long time, have you, Birdy?” She gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and walked down the porch steps and out to the Mustang convertible. Ivy watched from the doorway as her mother drove off, her graying hair fluttering in the wind.

She closed the door, crossed to the sofa and sat, picking up the throw pillow beside her. Breathing deeply, she smelled the lingering scent of her mother’s favorite perfume.

I need you now, Mama. More than I ever thought I would.

An ache spread inside her, as if someone had just cracked open her heart and spilled out the contents. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears and told herself he was going to be okay. Yeah, life had just flung a great, steaming pile of manure her way, but she’d gotten through

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