Page 129 of Knot Her Beta

“Didn’t sound like it.” Kyle adjusts his cap. “Maybe hikers wanting to take advantage of a nice April day? We don’t get many this early in the year.”

I tip my head to the sky, admiring the clear blue sky. “Maybe we should have gotten married. The weather is perfect.”

“Shush, Grady!” Jared yells from the pilot’s seat. “I’m still waiting for my proposal gift from Emily.”

I lean forward to look at my Alpha, who sits on Leif’s other side. “Anything in the works for Jared?”

She hums as she leans back. “Never built a sailboat before.”

“Does Jared even sail?” Leif asks.

She shrugs. “If not, he should learn. We live on an island now.”

A gull wheels over the water, its shadow cutting a dark line across the surface, drawing my attention, and when I turn back, I catch sight of our unexpected guests.

My stomach swoops, and I grab my cane, pushing to my feet.

My mother walks down the dock, her wool coat buttoned to the throat despite the mild April afternoon, the collar turned up to block the non-existent wind. Her posture is straight as an arrow, her shoulders back, moving with that same reserved elegance that’s been engraved into my memory since birth.

Beside her, a half-step back, Caroline Bennett matches her stride for stride. She wears a camel-colored coat, tailored to fit her slender lines, with a single carry-on bag slung over her shoulder.

Her eyes move over the harbor with the curiosity of someone who is filing away details for later use.

The handle of my cane creaks within my tightening grip as I move to stand at the side of the boat nearest the dock. The others notice the change in mood, and they come to surround me.

“What are you doing here?” I demand as soon as they’re within earshot.

“Really, Grady.” My mother brushes back her silvering blond hair. “Is that any way to greet us after such a long flight to come see you?”

My throat works. This is not what I expected for today, and their sudden appearance has thrown me off balance. “I was under the belief that I wouldn’t be seeing either of you ever again.”

“I never agreed to that.” She holds her chin up. “And your father needs to remember where the Finch family’s money came from.”

She holds her hand out to Caroline, who places an envelope into her palm. “The wealth and influence he treats as his own came through my family, and my mother loved you. She intended that trust fund for you. I will not allow his anger to erase her intention.”

She holds out the envelope, not to me, but to Dominic. “My lawyer said you made an inquiry, Mr. Sterling.”

He takes the envelope and opens it. “It’s Wright, now.”

She dips her chin in acknowledgment. “I trust that you will find everything necessary to see that my son is well taken care of.”

Dominic scans the top page of the document within, and a satisfied smile spreads over his lips. “We’ll have to verify that everything is in order, but yes, this will do.”

I stare from the envelope back to my mother. “Mom?”

The corners of her lips tighten. “I agreed to support you taking over your father’s business, and I supported your union with Caroline, but I never agreed to force you into anything. And I certainly never agreed to stop speaking to my son.”

I stare at my mother, who stands on the dock, empty-handed and her jaw set as the wind catches the loose strands of hair at her temples.

My free hand reaches toward her but stops halfway, hanging in the air between us.

She closes the gap, her fingers catching mine. “I’m sorry, Grady. I know I haven’t always been the most sentimental of mothers, but I have always loved and supported you.”

“You could have just called,” I choke out.

“Some things should not be said over the phone.” Her skin is cool from the harbor air as she releases my hand and steps back. “We are planning to be in town for a week. I hope you can bring yourself to join me for at least one day and show me around your new home.”

She takes in my new pack. “And I would like very much to meet the people who keep you here.”