“I refuse to believe that, but I do understand where you’re coming from. We need to give it more time, and hopefully I’ll find out where this hostility is coming from before we try again.”

  Victoria tried to stop the shaking in her hands. Even after several weeks, she was still her mother’s scapegoat, and she still wasn’t good enough in any way. “No need to apologize—believe me, I’m familiar with her temper. Can you legally keep her here? I’m all for trying some more, but that’s not what she wants, obviously.”

  “I’ve logged her as a danger to herself with the local mental health agency and made this a treatment center, which means I can keep her for a while yet. A few more weeks, then it’s going to take a lot of convincing. Are you sure you and Mason don’t mind being displaced?”

  “The river house isn’t exactly slumming it. We’ll be fine, and I’m sorry if I lost my temper.”

  Belle laughed and rubbed her back. “Sophie is what I see as a carrier of misery, and she loves to share. None of us are immune, and if that was you losing your temper, I think we’re all safe. I think I’d have said far more.”

  “I’ll go out the front so I don’t upset her any more than I have. Thank you for all that you’re doing.”

  She stopped when Belle took her hand. “Go out the back and tell her good-bye. She might not be nice or remotely agreeable, but it’ll give her peace of mind that you haven’t forgotten her.”

  The five deep breaths she took before stepping outside didn’t help clear her head, so she decided simply to deal with whatever her mom threw at her without yelling or hitting something. There was no way her mom would change her mind about her, but she was strong enough to handle it. She could feel that now, deep in her bones. She could see her mom’s hands shaking as she combed her hair back repeatedly as if in a trance, and it was sad how far she’d fallen from that superstar she’d grown up with.

  “Mama, I’ll be back, but if you need anything, Belle will let me know.” Sophie stiffened when she kissed her cheek and hugged her. “I love you, and I want you to be okay, no matter how you feel about me.”

  She left before her mom could inject any further cruelty. The hill was steeper than she remembered, and she made her way slowly down, careful not to put too much pressure on her still healing foot. As hard as she tried to ignore them, her mom’s words kept hitting her like spiked hammers to her heart. She knew her mom was being illogical and had a long way to go in her journey. But that didn’t mean the words didn’t hurt, that knowing she was such a deep disappointment to her didn’t make her heart ache. She was halfway down when she spotted Mason coming from the opposite direction. Her horrible mood vanished as Mason sped up to reach her.

  “Have you been pacing down here?”

  “It was more like I was anticipating you. I didn’t want to get too close, but Sophie’s voice really carries.”

  “Well, who can blame her? I ruined her life by surviving birth, by getting rid of Weston, and by ruining her career.” She pressed against Mason and snuggled in once Mason put her arms around her.

  “She can blame me for part of that. I remembered you talking about him, so I had someone go over to convince him it was time to move on.” Mason shifted so they could walk back to the river house. “Sophie isn’t the first one to indulge his love of illegal substances, and hopefully he can find someone else to share that particular hobby if she’s out of the picture.”

  “That might be true, but he’s going to come running back the first chance she can get him on the phone.” They sat on the front porch, and even after hours of sleep, she was tired. “Belle’s going to keep trying, and in a couple of weeks we might have a problem if she wants to leave before she’s ready.”

  “I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to hear, but we’ll try our best to get her what she needs.” Mason kissed her palm. “How about a few days away from here to get a taste of things to come?”

  “We still have some spots in the house we haven’t tried, so you don’t need to bring me anywhere if you want to get more adventurous.” She loved the way Mason sounded when she truly laughed. It seemed to come from her soul, and hearing it lightened her mood no matter how down she was.

  “I love you, and I love the way your mind works, but I was thinking more career related.”

  It was hard at times to accept how happy Mason’s loving her made her, and that it was real, but Mason proved it to her with every kiss. Mason always held her and poured out a little of the magic she’d created with the song she’d written for her every time she pressed her lips to hers. The wonder of it assured her that Mason’s feelings were true. Her mother might not think she was worthy, but Mason did. And that meant everything.

  “This may sound sappy, but I’ll follow you wherever you take me.” She stroked Mason’s hand with her thumb. That’s when she heard the laughing close by.

  “You look like some old couple ready for rocking chairs,” Josette said. She was getting out of the utility vehicle Jeb was driving. He got out as well and placed a bag on the porch. “What’s happened to you?”

  “This one happened to me.” She kissed Mason again before going to hug Josette. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but what are you doing here?”

  “When someone invites you to a concert in New York, you don’t turn that down.”

  “We’re going to a concert in New York?” Victoria looked back at Mason.

  “Overnight trip,” Mason said. “This is the first concert release of one of Colt’s new songs, and I want to see how it goes. If we’re going to go with this model for the rest, it might need some tweaking if Colt’s idea doesn’t go over like he hopes it will.”

  “It’s not the duet, is it? I don’t think I’m ready for that.” Victoria’s heart pounded at the thought of standing in front of a crowd like that.

  “Not yet.” Mason opened the door and pointed to the bedroom. “You get to enjoy it as a spectator this time, but soon you’re going to have a legion of fans. Just don’t forget who the president of your fan club is.” She shook her head when Josette followed them and sat on the bed. “Like I said, a taste of things to come.”

  “So pack for one night?”

  “This time around. When we get back, we’ll start working on your concert tour.”

  “I’m sure I’m not anywhere near doing that.”

  “Faith, my love, faith.”

  Faith was a word she’d only heard in songs, and it held no meaning. Being with Mason brought her comfort, but there was that nagging fear in her that nothing seemed to kill, and it belonged exclusively to Sophie. Her fear was that the day her mom found out what Victoria had planned for her own future, she’d see it as the biggest betrayal of all.

  She was happy, but the anchor that tethered her to her past would take time to cut loose, and for once she wondered if even having Mason and a new career would be enough to cast off those bowlines. A month ago fear would’ve kept her from even thinking it was possible to have a new life, but here was Mason looking at her like she was the only person in the room, and faith made perfect sense.

  Mason’s faith in her, and her faith in what they had together, would be the foundation she’d build her new life on.

  “I believe you.” And more importantly, she believed in herself. She was enough, and she’d never allow Sophie or anyone else to convince her otherwise. Never again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mason stood in the booth of the recording studio at Banu listening to the conversation going on inside. It had been two weeks since their overnight trip to see Colt, and he was working his way back to Nashville before heading to the West Coast. These practices with the musicians she’d put together for Victoria were to get her ready to record, and to hit the stage with Colt.

  The musicians were already in love with Victoria, but she hadn’t doubted that would happen. Despite Victoria’s talent, she’d tried to ease her in as gently as possible. To make things familiar, Mason finally gave Wilbur the job he’d always wanted. He was Victoria’s new lead guitar and was thrilled to leave the doughnuts behind.

  “We’d better behave.” Victoria’s voice broke through her daydreaming and she smiled. “The boss is checking up on us.”

  Mason stepped into the light and crossed her arms. “How’s it going?”

  “So good we’re taking a break.”

  Victoria met her in the booth and walked outside with her. Mason was careful not to show too much affection in the office, to keep people from giving Victoria any crap because of their relationship.

  “Have I done something wrong?” Victoria asked.

  They stopped at the edge of the garden Mason’s mother had commissioned for anyone who needed to decompress during a day of recording. “No, and I wasn’t checking up on you.” She sat when Victoria chose a bench and took her hand.

  “Is there some reason you act like I have some contagious disease whenever we turn into the parking lot here?” Victoria lifted Mason’s arm and put it around her shoulders, making her feel like an idiot because she hadn’t done that without prompting. “Do we need to take a break from being us from nine to five?”

  “You know that’s not true, but I don’t want anyone saying anything hurtful to you because of me.” She smiled against Victoria’s lips when she turned and kissed her.

  “You’re a clueless but sexy idiot sometimes. Are you doing all this just because you love me?” Victoria kissed her again and pinched her cheeks. “Unless you don’t want people to know.”

  “Don’t drive yourself crazy about stuff that’s in no way remotely true. And you know why I’m doing this. Granted, I love you, and I’d do anything for you, but this is your decision. What you do with it is on you.” A few people came out of the building carrying lunch bags, but she didn’t move, trying to redeem her clueless idiot status.

  “One of the reasons I’m enjoying myself is because I’m doing it with you. You’ve given me the courage to try.”

  Their time after their concert trip had been spent mostly working, and spending time together as they planned an album. The women writing with Colt had also started working with Victoria, and they’d narrowed down five more songs that were possibilities. The writing partners had been at the river house every afternoon, and they seemed to have a better rapport with Victoria than with Colt. Wilbur and Josette were there every day as well, since she wanted Josette to consider coming to work for Victoria. She’d need a good and loyal friend once they launched her music, and Josette would do anything to watch Victoria’s back because she loved her.

  “Is there anything you need? Am I falling down on the job as your manager?”

  “You need to work a little on the hand-holding job, but you’re doing great otherwise. Actually, the music is starting to come together, which of course means I heard from Belle this morning. Can’t have all good news, can we?” A few Banu employees smiled from nearby benches when Victoria put her feet up and leaned against her. “She wants to give the family meeting another shot.”

  “That much has changed in a few weeks?” When they were working or alone it was easy to forget that Sophie and her shitload of problems were a short mile away from them. But really, Sophie was like a time bomb ready to blow everyone’s life to hell. Or to try to, anyway.

  “Considering what she said, I doubt it, but we’re getting to the point where we have to give her some freedom.” Victoria played with her fingers and sounded more subdued than she had in a while. “I’m not sure how she’ll deal with leaving here and going back to Weston, but everyone deserves their life back, including Belle and Cassandra.”

  “Let’s see what we’re facing before you start worrying. If it’s necessary, I’ll have someone go by again and have another conversation with Weston. I have some friends who are good at explaining things to people who have trouble understanding anything.” She rested her head on Victoria’s and sighed. “If he’s a tough case, I’ll talk to him myself.”

  “You’d beat someone up for me?” Victoria reached up and rested her hand on the side of her neck.

  She chuckled at Victoria’s teasing. “Anyone you want, baby. The time Sophie’s spent with Belle has hopefully given her some tools to work with when the cravings hit. Maybe she won’t go back to him after all.”

  “Let’s hope, but I feel bad I haven’t helped more. Mama has a point when she says I’ve abandoned her.” Victoria plucked at a loose thread on her shirt.

  “Don’t do that to yourself. Remember that you saved her life, and you’ve done everything that’s been asked of you.” She lowered her hand to Victoria’s waist. “You love her, and she’s going to have to accept all this was for her own good. And if she can’t, well, that’s on her. You’re learning to live your life, and she’ll come to terms with that or she won’t. But it doesn’t mean you gave up on her. You just moved onto your own path.”

  Victoria was silent for a while, and Mason let her process. Victoria tilted her head back. “Want to come play with me?”

  Mason grinned and raised her eyebrow. “You want to try the office?”

  “Maybe when your father’s not in the building, and you know that’s not what I was talking about. But thanks for putting that in my head. Time will slow to a crawl now.”

  “Anytime.” She kissed Victoria’s cheek before they got up. “Now let me go tell the band I’m madly in love with you, while I hold your hand in case they have any funny ideas.”

  * * *

  Belle was waiting on the deck when Victoria walked up the last part of the hill. Mason had driven her more than halfway, but she wanted to keep her out of Sophie’s line of fire. She’d stayed away the last two weeks as well, and she couldn’t deny how happy, how light, she felt without the weight of her mother’s decisions dragging her down.

  The sun was close to setting, but Mason was on her way to check on some horses before returning to give her a ride back to the house. Most of her nervousness disappeared against Mason’s lips when she kissed her before she got out.

  “No matter what, remember—you belong somewhere, and I love you.” Mason had hugged her tightly before Victoria started walking the rest of the way.

  “Are you ready?” Belle asked. “She’s been really quiet, and she’s expressed how sorry she is about what happened before.”

  She nodded, but hope wasn’t something she could afford. Her mother had practiced a certain behavior over and over, so it was hard to believe she’d changed over a two-week span. “Has she done okay otherwise?”

  “She has, and she’s waiting in the kitchen.”

  Her mom stood when she entered and seemed to really think about it before opening her arms. “Vic, thank you for coming.” She was dressed, and her hair was done, which made a huge difference from the last time she’d seen her.

  “You look good, Mama.”

  “It’s been some long weeks, but it was time to pull myself together.”

  She didn’t release her mom’s hand as they sat at the table. “You scared me,” she admitted. The tears came when she relived the night she saw the paramedics bringing her mom out, so close to death. In that one moment she’d never felt more alone, but also so angry. “It’s like you didn’t care any longer.”

  Her mom took a deep breath and kept her eyes on their hands. “I know I’m lucky you never gave up on me, no matter how horribly I treated you.” She sounded contrite, and it was the first decent conversation they’d had in a long time. “I’m sorry, and I want to try to start over with you.”

  The words sounded too good to be true, which made her think they were too good to be true. Belle might have spent lots of time with her mother, but there was no way she knew her as well as Victoria did. Sophie Roddy was a music legend and a great con artist when it came to saying or doing anything that would assure she got her way. The right words would unlock the door to the prison she saw herself in and free her to go back to the life she wanted.

  That meant Weston, the pills, the booze, and the freedom to enjoy them until she was dead. The truth of what Victoria knew to her core hurt almost as much as the hurtful words, because it was like all of this was for nothing.

  “I’d like that, and like someone told me recently, we all deserve to be happy. That’s been missing from our lives for way too long.”

  Her mom’s hands were cold but sweaty, and she was squeezing her a little too hard. It was like she was trying to get through her lines and was trying not to forget any.

  “I appreciate you bringing me here. It’s a beautiful place.”

  It was almost unnerving how nice her mom was being. Maybe Belle and her team had helped her work through a lot, and it’d made a real difference. That was a big maybe, though, and she wasn’t willing to believe so readily.

  “Please tell Mason thank you. I didn’t mean to put her out.”

  She glanced at Belle, surprised she’d told her mother exactly where she was, but Belle only shrugged. “She was happy to help, and she didn’t mind as long as it made you better.”

  “Sounds like she helped you too.”

  They should’ve been talking about everything that had happened between them, but she’d indulge her mom if only to keep her talking. “She’s become very special to me.”

  “Wait.” Sophie’s face changed dramatically with a big smile. “You’re with Mason?”

  “I am,” she answered slowly, suddenly wary of where this was headed.

  “In a sexual relationship?”

  “We’re in a relationship, and that’s all I’m comfortable saying. Does that bother you?”

  Her mom laughed like that was the biggest joke she’d ever heard. “I didn’t realize you were so desperate for company. Mason Liner…I’ll be damned.”

  “So it bothers you?” She regretted the question as soon as it came out of her mouth. Would she ever be free of the desire for her mother’s approval?

  “Does Sonny know?”

  “Yes.” These weren’t the responses she expected, but it wasn’t exactly negative. “Mason and her family have been really nice, and I’ll always be grateful for what they’ve done for both of us.”