Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

of you in the papers and magazines, you know. Had her heart set on you for a daughter-in-law. More than once she said to me, ‘Ham, that’s the girl for Brady. She’ll straighten him out.’”
    â€œIt looks like he’s straightened himself out.”
    â€œMostly.” Draping an arm over her shoulder, he led her inside. “How about a nice cup of tea and a piece of pie?”
    â€œI’d love it.”
    She sat at the kitchen table while he brewed and served. The house hadn’t changed on the inside, either. It was still neat as a pin. It was polished and scrubbed, with Emily’s collection of knickknacks on every flat surface.
    The sunny kitchen looked out over the backyard, with its big trees leafing and its spring bulbs blooming. To the right was the door that led to the offices. The only change she saw was the addition of a complicated phone and intercom system.
    â€œMrs. Leary still makes the best pies in town.” He cut thick slabs of chocolate meringue.
    â€œAnd she still pays you in baked goods.”
    â€œWorth their weight in gold.” With a contented sigh, he sat across from her. “I guess I don’t have to tell you how proud we all are of you.”
    She shook her head. “I wish I could have gotten back sooner. I didn’t even know Joanie was married. And the baby.” She lifted her teacup, fully comfortable for the first time since her return. “Lara’s beautiful.”
    â€œSmart, too.” He winked. “Of course, I might be a tad prejudiced, but I can’t remember a smarter child. And I’ve seen my share of them.”
    â€œI hope to see a lot of her while I’m here. Of all of you.”
    â€œWe’re hoping you’ll stay a good long time.”
    â€œI don’t know.” She looked down at her tea. “I haven’t thought about it.”
    â€œYour mother hasn’t been able to talk about anything else for weeks.”
    Vanessa took a smidgen of the fluffy meringue. “She seems well.”
    â€œShe is well. Loretta’s a strong woman. She’s had to be.”
    Vanessa looked up again. Because her stomach had begun to jump, she spoke carefully. “I know she’s running an antique shop. It’s hard to imagine her as a businesswoman.”
    â€œIt was hard for her to imagine, but she’s doing a good job of it. I know you lost your father a few months ago.”
    â€œCancer. It was very difficult for him.”
    â€œAnd for you.”
    She moved her shoulders. “There was little I could do…little he would allow me to do. Basically he refused to admit he was ill. He hated weaknesses.”
    â€œI know.” He laid a hand on hers. “I hope you’ve learned to be more tolerant of them.”
    He didn’t have to explain. “I don’t hate my mother,” she said with a sigh. “I just don’t know her.”
    It was a good answer. One he appreciated. “I do. She’s had a hard life, Van. Any mistakes she made, she’s paid for more times than any one person should have to. She loves you. She always has.”
    â€œThen why did she let me go?”
    His heart went out to her, as it always had. “That’s a question you’ll have to ask her yourself. And one she needs to answer.”
    With a little sigh, Vanessa sat back. “I always did come to cry on your shoulder.”
    â€œThat’s what shoulders are for. Mostly I was vain enough to think I had two daughters.”
    â€œYou did.” She blinked the tears away and took a soothing drink of tea. “Dr. Tucker, are you in love with my mother?”
    â€œYes. Does that upset you?”
    â€œIt shouldn’t.”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œIt’s just that it’s difficult for me to accept. I’ve always had such a clear picture of you and Mrs. Tucker as a set. It was one of my constants. My parents…as unhappy as they were together,