The look of triumph that erupted on his weasel face vanished quickly.
“But not with you. And only so I can sign those papers and get you out of my life for good,” she sneered, then spun on her heel and marched off in the same direction Nash had gone with the knowledge that it was finally time to do what she’d been fighting not to: say goodbye.
TWENTY-TWO
“You can’t just leave. Y-you have dishes!” Gretta argued. She’d been following her around, trying everything to get Vivian to stay, but Vivian had made up her mind.
“I’m sorry. I know this is a shock, but I can’t stay anymore. I have to go back and get this stuff straightened out.”
“You can do that from here, I’m sure of it.”
“Maybe, but I’m going to make sure it’s done right, in person.” It was something she should have done a long time ago. Running off had been a stupid idea. Now look at the mess she’d caused.
“You’re just upset because Nash took off. He’ll get over it. Men always do.”
“I don’t think this is something Nash is just going to get over. You didn’t see his face.”
“I didn’t have to.” Grabbing her elbow, Gretta forced Vivian to stop packing and look at her. Gray eyes filled with desperation and sadness peered up at her. “I’ll tell you what I tell my boys: don't go runnin’ off half-cocked. That’s how mistakes are made, and you’re makin’ a big one right now.”
“No, I think I’m finally making the right one.” Vivian gently extracted herself and finished folding the last pair of pants, then zipped up her luggage.
Gretta twisted her hands, her mind scrambling for something she could say to make Vivian see things her way, but that only made Vivian feel worse. The reality was, there was nothing that could be said…at least, not by her.
Oh, what a mess she’d made. She felt humiliated all over again, except this time, it was her own damn fault.
Rather than argue further, Gretta accepted defeat and picked up one of Vivian’s suitcases and helped her carry her stuff downstairs. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”
“Same as you always did.”
“Oh, dear, nothing will be the same after you leave.”
Vivian felt another pang in her chest, but this was borne of a different kind of love than she felt when it came to her thoughts of Nash. “I wish I didn’t have to.”
“Then don’t.”
“I can’t stay.”
Once outside, they took the stairs slowly. “You could if you’d stop being so damn stubborn about it.”
“I just don’t fit here. I thought I was starting to, but now everything is ruined.” Thanks to Andrew and his big mouth.
“No thanks to your smarmy husband,” she echoed her thoughts.
“He has a way of ruining things,” Vivian agreed. “But you won’t be alone. And I’ll call all the time.” Popping the trunk, they dropped her luggage inside.
“That’s no consolation. Come visit, come stay, and then I’ll be happy.”
Vivian could only smile, the effort half-hearted at best. Opening her arms, she enfolded the little woman in a giant hug. “I’ll try to stop in from time to time, but I can’t make any promises.”
“You’re breakin’ my heart, you know.” Gretta sniffed, and Vivian realized she was crying. “You’re the first real friend I’ve had in ages.”
“What are you talking about?” Vivian set her away. There were no tears shed to stain her face, but it was clear that Gretta, strong as ever, was scraping the bottom of the well to keep it together. “You have all kinds of friends.”
The whole town, in fact.
“Bah!” She batted the air. “They’re just people I know. Say a few words in passin’ and everyone is friends. But true friends? Now that’s hard to come by.” She cupped Vivian’s cheek with a wrinkled hand. “And I count you as one.”
Now it was Vivian’s turn to try her damnedest to keep it together. “I’ll call when I get there.”