In Over Her Head: An Anchor Island Novel by Terri Osburn (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

Feeling like a peasant among royalty, Lauren crossed her arms. “Lucky you.”

“Did your mother ever mention Brandon Van Clement?” Will asked.

Lauren had no idea where this was going.

“She stopped working for the family when I was five. I doubt she’d have mentioned anyone to me by name, and if she did, I wouldn’t remember them now.” The wealthy weren’t nearly as important as they liked to think. “Why are you asking me these questions? If you think Mom stole something, I know she didn’t.”

Lauren knew no such thing, but if her mother did steal something of value, she’d done it to take care of them. Maybe if the family had paid her a living wage, she wouldn’t have had to steal to feed her children.

Will remained calm. “I’m not accusing your mom of anything, Lauren. I’m asking because Brandon Van Clement, my uncle, was your father.”

That could not be true. “You’re out of your mind,” she said, bolting from her chair. “My father was a janitor who cut out before I was born. Mom told me so herself. Whoever told you this crazy story was lying.”

Holding Lauren’s gaze, Will slid the envelope across the table. “I think it’s time for you to read this.”

Looking at the offering as if it might explode, she said, “What is it?”

“A letter from your mother.”

Lauren fell back into her chair as the breath left her body. She stared at the envelope, trying to make sense of what Will was saying. Why would Will have a letter from her mother?

“That can’t be.”

“Once you read the letter, I’ll explain everything.”

There couldn’t possibly be an explanation because none of this made any sense. Mom died in October and Lauren had never even heard of Will Navarro or this island until February.

“I don’t know what’s in that envelope, but it can’t be for me.”

Will pushed it closer. “Rosemary asked me to give this to you. I understand that this is a lot, and you have every right to be suspicious, but I’m trying to honor her wishes. Please, Lauren, just read the letter.”

Hands shaking, she picked up the envelope and withdrew the paper inside, recognizing her mother’s handwriting instantly. Throat tight, she blinked away tears in order to focus on the words.

“Here,” Will said, passing her a box of tissues.

Lauren dried her eyes and read.

Dear Lauren,

I’m sure this is coming as a surprise, but I wanted to take this last chance to do for you now what I should have done a long time ago. You turned out to be an amazing woman, and I still have no idea how that happened. It sure as hell isn’t because of me. Instead of being there for you and being a real mom, I was out chasing the next man or the next high or both. I know you still have Knox, but you were always more a mother to him than I was, and he’s off playing war or whatever it is he does in that Army. He can’t be around to make sure you’re looked after. To make sure you aren’t left alone in the world like I was.

Ms. Navarro probably told you by now, but your father is Brandon Van Clement. He’s Knox’s father, too. Before you get all angry, thinking he’s some horrible bastard, know that I never told him. His family wouldn’t have let him marry a woman like me, and I made sure he thought I was out sleeping with other men so he wouldn’t get suspicious. You see, if he’d known, he’d have taken you kids away from me. Goodness knows he’d have had the right, considering what a mess I was. But I was selfish and didn’t want to be alone. Funny how that turned out.

Anyway, when I knew I didn’t have much longer to go, I looked him up and found out that he died a few months ago. Well, a few months before I’m writing this. That led me to Ms. Navarro, so I sent her a letter asking her to find a way to make sure you were taken care of. I want you to get your dream of having your own kitchen, and I thought maybe she knew somebody who could make that happen. She told me that she would take care of it, and if you’re reading this, then that means she stuck to her word. Thank her for me.

I didn’t want you to know all of this until you’d gotten your dream. The one thing we have in common is pride, and I was afraid you wouldn’t take the job if you thought I’d used some piddly last wish to get it for you. I’m sure that by now you’re knocking it out of the park, and I want you to know that I’m watching you, the proudest mom on both heaven and earth.

I love you, baby. I didn’t say that often enough, and I didn’t come close to showing it, but for my whole life, you were and will always be my greatest achievement. I hope you’re happy, and I hope you’ve surrounded yourself with people who care about you. Don’t ever take that for granted, and whatever you do, don’t make the same mistakes that I did. Laugh and love and let people see how great you are.

Have a wonderful life, my sweet baby girl.

Love,

Mom

Lauren held the wadded-up tissue against her lips as she stared at the letter in her hand. She was crying hard enough to give herself hiccups so the words were a blur, but she couldn’t put the paper down. This was her last connection to the most important woman in her life. The woman she’d known to be imperfect, but still loved more than anything. The woman who had been Lauren’s only anchor is a world full of chaos and confusion.

It hadn’t mattered that Mom was the source of that chaos. That, as she admitted, she hadn’t been the greatest parent. She’d been the only parent. Who else was