Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1) (31 page)

“I’ll get it,” Cade said.

She heard murmurs at the door. A second later, Amber’s mother appeared with a present in hand. “Amber.” Cade slipped the gift from her mom’s fingers.

Her heart dropped to her stomach. “Mom? What are you doing here?” Okay, her voice didn’t sound angry, but it was laced with a bit of shock.

“Your men invited me. I hope it’s all right to crash your engagement party.”

Stone and Cade had been in contact with the ice queen? She glanced at them, but they were only looking at her
mother.

Something was wrong. Her mother had never given a hoot about her. Now that she was here,
though, a bit of guilt surfaced. Amber hadn’t even told her about the big news. “Sure. It’s okay.”

Stone placed a hand on her mother’s arm. “What can I get you to drink, Mrs. Delacroix?”

“Call me Madelyn. After all, I’m about to become your mother-in-law.”

She almost sounded as if she approved.
Where had the real Madelyn Delacroix gone?

“Wine perhaps?” Stone urged.

“White is perfect.”

Other than when she was with Thomas, Amber had
never seen her mom be…nice. She could do gracious but only when she was in a roomful of doctors. “Come sit down, Mom.”

Amber was determined to find out what
was going on. Her mom better not be here to try to talk her out of marrying Cade and Stone. She’d fail.

While Stone
poured the wine, her mom sat on the sofa, her back straight, her fingers laced tight. “Thomas wanted to be here, but he wasn’t able to make it.”

“It was nice that he wanted to.”

She nodded. “I want to tell you that I’m happy for you.” Her mom swallowed hard at the “happy” word.

Now
Amber knew an alien had possessed her mother. “Thank you.” Her mom fiddled with her watch bracelet, twisting it around her wrist, an action Amber had never seen her do before. “What’s going on?”

Stone set her mom’s glass of wine on the coffee table then
moved over to the side behind the sofa. He appeared to be standing guard, waiting to intervene in case things got ugly, but not so close as to eavesdrop. She loved him even more for that.

Her mom looked off to the side then back at her hands. “After Chris died, Thomas reminded me how empty my life had become
when your dad left.”

Her mom had never indicated Dad’s departure affected her. “We all suffered after that,” Amber said.

Her mother nodded and finally met Amber’s gaze. “I buried myself in my work and put myself above my children.”

She admitted that?
Wow
. Amber wouldn’t be petty and bring up the fact that she doted on Thomas and even seemed to put him above her job. But having faced the end of a gun had taught her one thing—it was better to leave some things in the past.

Not making eye contact, h
er mom’s chin trembled. Her watch seemed to be the object of her attention. “I’m willing to admit now that I wasn’t able to provide you with the kind of childhood a little girl needed.” She finally glanced up, and tears shimmered in her eyes.

Amber studied her mother. Damn, but her mom actuall
y believed what she was saying, but she wasn’t ready to forgive her yet. “I think you’re a little confused, Mom. You were able to provide me with what I needed, but you chose not to. That was the problem.”

Her mom’s mouth opened slightly. She then snapped her lips shut and shook her head. “I didn’t provide for you, did I? I’m sorry.” Her mother picked up Amber’s hand, but the grip held little warmth. “But I do love you. You have to believe me.” She inhaled, but Amber couldn’t respond. “I want to know if I’ve lost my little girl
for good.”

Did her mother not have a clue how lonely
Amber’s life had become before she met her men? No matter how much her mom apologized, she couldn’t bring back Amber’s childhood.

“Mom. T
hat ship sailed a long time ago.” She drew on her inner calm. “You know what I missed the most growing up?”

“No.” Her mother let go of Amber’s hand.
“What? I want to know.”

“Getting to spend time with you learning how to cook
, and not seeing the look of joy on your face when I hit a double at a softball game.”

“I never went to one of your games
, so how could I?”

“Precisely.”

Her mom cast her gaze downward. “Oh.”

Amber
sniffled. “I’ve always wanted to know if you believed I wanted to go alone when I shopped for my prom dress?”

She slowly shook her head, her eyes racing back and forth. “I never thought about it.”

“It’s something mothers and daughters do together. It’s a rite of passage.”
And you were never there.

Her mom glanced at her hands for moment. “I remember you brought home a pretty pink dress.”

That was a small apology. “It was actually a blue satin dress with a pink sash.” Amber wanted to forgive her, but couldn’t. “If it was so pretty, why didn’t you want to take a picture of me standing next to Charley? He might not have been my dream date, but at least he bought me a corsage
.
” Amber turned to the side and swiped a finger under her eye.

Her mom’s lips pressed together.
“I probably don’t deserve it, but if you have any forgiveness in your heart, I’d like to try to be more a part of your life.” She placed a hand on Amber’s wrist.

Her touch almost burned.

The image of Ben pointing that gun in her face surfaced, and how her regrets had flashed before her eyes. Was it time to let go of the past?

“You really want to be part of my life?” Amber didn’t think her mother understood what that meant. “Because whether you
do or don’t, I’m going to be fine. I have a new life now with the two men I love.”

That doesn’t mean you can’t give her your love
, too.

Her mother stared.

Amber inhaled. “But I’m willing to let you show me, if you can, that you want to share future milestones.”

I do love you, Mom
.
But it will take some time for me to show it.

“Tell me what I can do,
” her mom said. “I’m listening.”

That was a first. “Our relationship has to be a two way street. It can’t just be me caring about you
or doing things that are convenient for you. My whole life, it’s been about you and your career. Now it has to be about me and my two men, too. They’ve shown me what love is. I’m different now.”

“I’m not sure I know how.”
Her mom’s voice shook.

“
Here’s one way. When I call you, don’t put me on hold right away. It always makes me feel like I’m not as important than who you’re with at the time.”

Her mom slapped a hand over her mouth
, and her eyes ping ponged around. “I do that, don’t I? Amber, I’m so sorry.” Tears ran down her mother’s cheeks. She opened her purse and actually had a tissue. She wiped her eyes.

Amber waited for her mother to say more, but even that small
admission was a big step.

Her mom cleared her throat. “So, show me this ring the boys gave you.”

Amber’s heart pounded in her chest. For the sake of possibly forging a new relationship with her mother, she held out her hand. Cade and Stone would want her to. And she did, too.

“Not that I’m asking your permission, but you seem rather calm about me being with two men.”

“It’s beautiful.” Her mother shifted her gaze to the side then back up at Amber. “I won’t lie. I’m having a hard time dealing with the idea. It isn’t natural, you know.”

Amber counted to ten, waiting for her mother to ask what she was going to do when her patients and fellow doctors found out. But she never did
, and Amber’s pulse slowed. There might be hope.

The doorbell rang, and seconds later, Zoey and Melissa rushed in bearing trays of food. Jamie was right behind them.

“Excuse me. I have to see to my friends.” When Amber turned away, a piece of her heart crumpled. Her mom looked so lost. With time, her mom might figure out how to do better.

If Amber ever had children—and she wanted a ton—she would be the best mom ever. Before she reached the girls, Stone
got there first and hugged her friends while Cade wrapped an arm around Amber’s waist.

He leaned over. “How did it go?”

“I’ve said my peace.” To her surprise, expressing her opinion brought some closure.

“Good. Did you promise her mercy?”

Amber chuckled. “No need. I gave her some already.” She glanced back at her mom who was sipping her wine, staring off into space.

Amber wanted to mend the wall that existed between them. For now, she wanted to love her men and love them hard.

Her mother set down her glass and stood. With straight shoulders, she strode toward them, looking like she used to so long ago.

“Amber, Cade, Stone. May I speak with you three for a moment?”

Amber’s stomach tumbled. Would her mom dash Amber’s hope of a possible healing between them? “Yes?”

Her
mom closed her eyes for a moment then nodded. “I’ve come to ask if I could help you three plan your wedding?”

Goose bumps raced over Amber’s body, and joy spread through her veins. “Oh, Mom. I’d love that.” The tears she’d
held at bay let loose.

Amber was filled up with hope and so much love.
Her life just got better.