Wild Rendezvous by Victoria Blisse Read Free Book Online Page B

know how to do it. Look at how many husbands and boyfriends I’ve had. If I knew how to love, would I keep skipping from one lover to the next?’
    â€˜Love isn’t that simple. Joe loves you, you’re his mum. He’ll always love you. Every time you reject his affection you make him feel terrible inside. Now, if you love him and tell him so and show him so even when you make a mistake, because we all make mistakes, he’ll know that you love him and he’ll forgive you because of that. ‘
    â€˜Really?’ she asks, a light in her eyes. ‘Do you think he can forgive me now?’
    â€˜I can’t say.’ I shake my head. ‘He’s had a lifetime of distrusting you, of feeling abandoned by you. I don’t know how easy it is to fix that but I think if you told him what you’ve told me, it could be the start of mending your relationship.’
    â€˜I’d like that.’ Beverly sips from the cup of tea before her. ‘I am getting old and I am lonely. I don’t want to die knowing my son hates me.’
    â€˜Oh, he doesn’t hate you and I’m sorry I said those nasty things to you. I was out of line.’
    â€˜No, no, no, I’m sorry. I’ve been a complete bitch to you and you’ve been so kind to me. I pushed you too far and it was all true, what you said, all of it. I’ve got to apologise, not you.’
    â€˜Well, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Maybe we should try this again, start afresh, yeah?’ I think I’ve just discovered that my soon-to-be mother-in-law is actually human.
    â€˜Yes, I’d like that. God, I’ve been such a fool, I’m sorry. I just don’t know how to deal with people. I’ve known a lot of hurt in my life so I tend to attack first to protect from being attacked. Stupid, really.’
    â€˜Well, it’s definitely not a good way to win friends and influence people.’ I giggle gently.
    â€˜No, you’re right there.’ She smiles too. The first genuine smile I’ve seen since she arrived in my life.
    â€˜What about Joe?’
    â€˜Well, I think it might be wise to take my mum up on her offer. You can stay there and I’ll talk to Joe.’
    â€˜OK, I should pack my things. Do you think he’ll let me come to the wedding tomorrow?’
    â€˜I’ll do my best to convince him it’d be a good idea, OK? I can’t promise more.’
    â€˜Thanks, Leanna. My son has picked a good wife.’
    â€˜And I’ve picked a good husband in your son.’ I sniff back a tear. ‘Now shush or I’m going to start crying.’
    â€˜I’m sorry I’ve been so horrid. It was ridiculous jealousy, really. You are a brilliant mum, have a man who is completely dedicated to you and the most gorgeous little daughter in all the world, and I … Well, yes, we know all about my fuck-ups now.’
    â€˜Well, you have an amazing son, and it’s your genes that made him that way. And you’ve got a family now. Lucy is your granddaughter   well, she soon will be, sort of.’ I wink and she smiles. ‘And we can move forward now, try and fix things up a bit.’
    â€˜Thanks, Leanna.’
    So I take Beverly over to Mum’s, we explain the whole story and I leave the two of them gabbing happily together, my little girl playing on the floor between them. On my way home, I grab my phone and dial Joe. He doesn’t answer. I check my messages and find one from him.
    Leanna, you’d be better off without me. I don’t think I got the job. I don’t think you should marry me. I don’t deserve you. I’m not coming home tonight, any night. I’m sorry.
    The tears prick my eyes as I dial and ring again. I leave him a voice message.
    â€˜Joe, Joe, please talk to me. I love you, I love you so much and I don’t care if you got the job or not, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re meant