She took a drink of her lemonade and continued. “He’s from an excellent family, he’s smart, charming, and handsome as sin. And most importantly, he loves you.”
Those stupid tears were back, but I wouldn’t let them out. “He’s never said it.”
“Some men aren’t very good at saying it. Your daddy’s one of them.” I couldn’t picture Dante being the kind of man who would have a hard time saying he loved someone. What I could imagine is that he’d never said it to anybody because he’d never really loved anyone.
“Or maybe he hasn’t said it because you won’t let him.”
This was what happened when people who knew you perfectly got to weigh in. Even though I hadn’t told her, she somehow understood I wouldn’t let him say anything inappropriate because of my relationship with Sterling.
But my mother didn’t have all the facts, and maybe after I told her she’d feel differently. “I did a lot of research about him online, Momma. He’s the worst kind of womanizer. He’d never be faithful.”
“Haven’t you ever heard that reformed playboys make the best kind of husbands?”
I slumped in my chair. She still wasn’t on my side. “That’s such a cliché.”
“It’s a cliché because it’s true, darlin’. Look at your daddy. He was such a hound when I met him.”
I looked at my graying father with his receding hairline and paunch that hung slightly over his belt. “Daddy? You’re talking about my father?”
“Don’t look so surprised. Every belle in a fifty-mile radius was after him. He fell in love with me because I made him chase me until I caught him.”
“How did I not know any of this?”
“It’s never been relevant before. There I was, a divorced woman, and I got renowned bad boy Montgomery Beauchamp to propose. Your Grandma Lemon was furious. But she got over it.”
Sort of.
“And now here we are, happily married for three decades. And I’ve never doubted your father or his loyalty once.”
She reached over and put her hand on the side of my face, like she used to when I was little. “You shouldn’t hold people’s pasts against them. You should decide what you want and then go after it. Don’t make decisions based on fear. You’re a Beauchamp. We’re made of stronger stuff than that. Whatever you decide, your daddy and I will always support you.”
We stood up and she hugged me, holding me close. There was nothing quite like a mother’s hug. Even though I was super confused and didn’t understand why she was giving me a pass to go after Dante when I knew she wanted me to marry Sterling more than anything. “I may be pulling for Dante just a little because of how jealous the women at the club would be if you married an actual prince.”
“Momma,” I laughed. That wasn’t really an argument that would sway me.
“Can you imagine if my grandchildren were princes and princesses?”
“I’ll probably still marry Sterling.”
She closed her eyes for a second. “Just let me have this fantasy. I can just see their faces. So sweet.”
I laughed again.
“What is that?” She looked at my eyes.
“What?” I asked, alarmed.
“Right there, on the side of your left eye. You have a little crow’s toe,” she said. “Welcome to true womanhood, darlin’.”
I wanted to rush inside and check. A wrinkle? I was only twenty-four! But the camera crews came over to tell us that they were done for the night, and offered to drive Dante back to his hotel. He told them he would call a taxi after he had said good-night to my parents. It seemed like the crew didn’t want him to stay, but didn’t have anybody powerful enough to argue with him. We returned our mike packs, and they started packing up their equipment into their vans.
“Montgomery, Sue Ellen, it has been a distinct honor to visit you in your home. Thank you so much for having me.”
“It was our pleasure, and you are welcome in our home anytime,” my mother said with a big smile, as she picked up the tray. She looked at me. “Your daddy and I are calling it a night. Would you please let the dogs out? And maybe you can show Dante the game room before he leaves?”