Laken agreed somewhat reluctantly.
“Wait here, guys,” Lila said. “I’ll be back soon.”
She moved through the crowd to the bathroom as fast as she could. A woman left as Lila entered. Turning the tap in the sink on, she tried to wash off the worst of the beer. Sighing, she looked in the mirror, tidying herself up. The door to the bathroom opened. She glanced sideways as an older woman entered and stood beside her, staring at her.
“You’re Lila West,” the woman stated.
Lila stilled. She hadn’t heard that name in a long time. Slowly, she turned to look at the woman. She was only an inch or two taller than Lila herself. Dark hair lay lankly down her back. Her face was lined; her eyes were tired and dull, as though she’d lived a hard life.
“Actually, I’m Lila Richards,” she said.
The other woman just stared at her, a decidedly calculated look in her eyes. Lila’s stomach dropped. The woman coughed, a hacking, harsh sound that made Lila wince. “Took his name did you?”
“Who are you?” Lila demanded.
“Why darling, don’t you recognize me? I’m so crushed.”
Lila’s blood ran cold as she stared at the other woman. There was something about her. Those eyes… But that was impossible, wasn’t it?
“I’m your mother,” the woman replied. “I can’t believe you’ve forgotten your own mother.”
Lila stopped breathing, just stared at the other woman in disbelief. Surely not. What would bring her mother here? She lived in Chicago. What the hell would she be doing in Haven, Texas?
“You must be mistaken.”
The other woman smiled. It wasn’t a friendly look. “Oh, I assure you, I’m not mistaken. My name is Abigail West and I am your mother. I gave birth to you, took care of you for the first seven years of your life until Clay Richards took you away from me.”
Dear Lord, was it actually true? Lila had figured on never seeing this woman again. What was she doing here?
“He didn’t take me, you gave me to him,” Lila said through numb lips. She had to get out of here, get away from this woman.
She wanted something that was sure. It could be no coincidence she was here. She hadn’t contacted Lila in all these years so what was she doing here now?
“Why are you here? Did you come looking for me?” Lila asked.
“I’m here because you and that up-himself cowboy owe me,” Abigail snarled. “I’m here to collect.”
Lila took a step towards her, hands clenched into fists. “Don’t you talk about Clay that way, you bitch!”
“Lila? Is everything all right?”
Lila turned to find Savannah standing in the doorway, looking worried. She forced a smile onto her face. “Fine, sorry I’m taking this long. I’ll be right out.”
“Sure?” Savannah looked doubtfully over at the woman Abigail.
“I’m sure,” Lila said firmly.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you right outside,” Savannah told her.
As Savannah left, Lila gave the other woman a hard look. “You’re the one who called the house the other day. I owe you nothing. I want you to go away and stay away.”
“I need money.”
“Well, you’ve come to the wrong person, lady,” Lila said, feeling sick at the realization that she was related to this woman. “Because I don’t have any money and even if I did I wouldn’t give any to you.”
“Now, now, don’t lie. From what I heard you’re loaded. I know Richards had money and that you’re fucking his sons. So you will get me my money one way or another.”
“Or what?” Lila said, feeling completely ill at the realization that this woman was her mother.