It was long overdue for him to delegate so he could live a little. He’d always be grateful for and proud of his work because it had given him a productive outlet for his anger and frustration. Through it he’d been able to realize his purpose of helping people. But it was no longer the main focus of his life.
His family was.
KAYLEE STOOD ON the doorstep of her parents’ house and rubbed her arms. It had been a few weeks since they’d gotten back in town and her mother hadn’t called her once. She was definitely still angry.
But Julia had stepped into the void and helped Kaylee out in more ways than one. Not only was she supportive of her relationship with Eli despite their age difference, but she’d given her encouragement and reassurance about how she was raising her daughter. Things Kay hadn’t realized she’d needed so badly until she had them.
Then there was Eli.
She looked over at him and everything inside her went gooey. The last few weeks had been challenging for him. She’d done everything she could to support him as he’d started untangling the legal mess from his time with the Circle of Seven and from his defiance in walking off the active scene of a crime at his house a few weeks ago.
Danny had found him a great lawyer, which she thought was amazing considering that his only introduction to Eli had been less than complimentary. Even Hope’s father had called to offer support. Not that she needed it, but it was nice to hear anyway. He wasn’t going to be a part of their lives and Kay was at peace with that.
Finally at peace.
She hadn’t told Eli about the call from Tim. He’d just go crazy and she’d have to pretend to be upset on principle. Truthfully, she kind of liked it when he got a little jealous. Eli treated her like the focus of his entire world, which was great because he was the center of hers, too. She loved every inch of her exasperating, overprotective, dominant alpha male.
The only thing that still hurt her heart was that Sasha wasn’t speaking to her. Her friend had been hurt and embarrassed when she’d realized Eli had suspected her of being the stalker. Kay had tried to explain that she hadn’t believed it, but Sasha had left in tears. She left messages on her friend’s cell phone every day, but she probably wasn’t even listening to them. Kay sighed.
“Don’t be nervous. It’ll be fine,” Eli said as he rang the bell. “I’m sure she’s not still angry. She’s your mother.”
“Oh, I wasn’t even thinking about that. I’m sure my mother is still angry. I don’t expect anything less. You have no idea how stubborn she can be.”
“I wondered where you got it from,” he muttered.
She was saved from responding when the door opened. Her father stepped back so they could come in. “Hey, pumpkin. I was wondering when you’d finally come by. You know we’ve missed you something awful.”
“Sorry, Daddy. I know I should have called, but with the way I left things with Mom, well, I wasn’t sure my call would be welcome.”
He enfolded her in a hug. “You’re my daughter. You are always welcome.”
She snuggled into the embrace, soaking up the flow of love and acceptance. “I missed you.”
Her father pulled back and his eyes landed on Eli. “Mr. Alexander. Thank you for keeping my baby girl safe. I hope you won’t be taking her away from us again anytime soon.”
“Well, about that…”
“So, you’ve finally decided to come visit. We’ve been worried sick.”
They all turned around. Henrietta stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. Kay’s heart sank. She knew her mother’s body language, and she wasn’t giving off a forgiving vibe.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Things have been really hectic.”
Kay handed Hope to her father. He carried her into the kitchen and Eli followed with a sympathetic smile.
Kay sucked in a breath to steady herself. “Actually, I needed some time away. From you.”
Her mother took a step forward, her eyes wide. “Kaylee! What an awful thing to say.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s true. For a long time, I’ve tried to be smarter, thinner, just better so I could finally make you proud. After all this time, I’ve realized that it’s never going to happen. I didn’t go to college, I got pregnant and embarrassed you in front of all your church friends, and I’m singing pop music. But I’m proud of my life. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned from them, too.”
Henrietta crossed to the couch and sat down. “I’m a horrible mother.”
“I didn’t say that. I just think you want something from me that will never happen. You wanted a perfect daughter. That’s not me. That will never be me. And I’m okay with that.”
She was shocked when her mother pulled her into a hug.
“You are perfect. Exactly as you are. I’m the one who is a failure for not letting you know that.”
“Mom? But you always seemed so disappointed that I wasn’t singing in the choir anymore.”
“I wasn’t thrilled that you went into popular music because I know how rough that industry is. I recorded a few albums, so I know what it’s like. They demand your all and then if you don’t live up to their expectations, they’ll grind you up and spit you out. I was just worried for you, Kay. I didn’t want them to break your spirit the way they broke mine.”
Stunned, Kaylee allowed her mom to pull her closer. For years, she’d thought her mom’s criticisms were because she was disappointed in her. Not because she was worried for her.