Page 67 of Take Me Home

She snuggles closer. “Maybe. I’m trying to figure out what I want in life, in my career. I think I’ve spent my whole life living out my mother’s dreams…without realizing they were hers and not mine.” Hattie sighs. “That must sound so stupid.”

“No, it doesn’t.” I drag my hand across her back. “I’m sure your mom would want you to be happy, even if that means switching to a new path.”

Hattie scoffs. “You obviously don’t know Kimball Townsend. It’s her way, or no way.”

My chest tightens, hating that the person in her life who should be the most supportive, isn’t.

“I’m grateful for everything my mother has done for me. I just wish I knew she’d still love me, even if I don’t go down her path. Even if I choose my own.” She sighs. “But I perform so she’ll love me. And if I stop performing…I don’t think she’ll have any love left to give.” Her words are low, spoken into the darkness in a whisper.

“You should never have to perform for someone’s love, Hattie. You deserve better than that.” I kiss the top of her head.

“You know, I think you’re right,” she says.

I lean on one elbow to look at her, she smiles at me, then looks up at the glittering night sky. “It’s beautiful.”

Understanding she’s subtly changing the subject, ready to move on from talking about her mother, I lie back down.

Finding a constellation, I point to the cluster of stars. “Do you see the four bright stars that make up a square?”

She studies the stars for a moment before she hums. “Yes, I see them.”

“That constellation is called the Great Square,” I explain, hoping I don’t sound like a complete dork. “The Great Square makes up the Pegasus, and Andromeda.” She nods, so I continue. “You can see the neck of Pegasus above, and below…that’s Andromeda. Do you see her arms and legs?”

Hattie stares up at the sky intently. “Oh! Yes, I see it!”

“Now, see the larger bright spot? The one that spreads out?”

“Is that a galaxy?” she asks.

“Yes, the Andromeda Galaxy.”

“I’m loving this nerdy side of you,” she muses. “I didn’t know you were an astronomy aficionado.”

I laugh. “My dad used to bring me out here. We’d find all the constellations, and he’d explain the Greek Mythology that aligned with each one. It was better than any bedtime story.”

Hattie props herself up on an elbow and looks down at me. “That sounds really special.” She pauses. “So, what’s the story behind Andromeda?”

Smiling, I relax against the pillows. “Andromeda was a princess, and the myths are that her lover, Perseus, rescued her from a sea monster.”

Hattie sighs. “That’s pretty romantic.”

I huff a laugh. “Well, he made her promise to marry him before he’d save her.”

Hattie gasps in outrage. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. And then at the wedding feast, Phineus claimed Perseus stole Andromeda from Cepheus. So, Perseus turned Cepheus to stone with the head of Medusa.”

“Drama, drama.” Hattie chuckles. “Any former lovers I need to worry about with you? Lanie looks at me like she’s contemplating murder.”

I cradle her face in my hand. She’s still looking down at me, her hair falling against my chest. “Don’t worry about Lanie,” I answer. “I’ve never taken an interest in her. And I haven’t dated at all since my parents died.”

Her eyes widen. “Like not even one date?” She sits up, crossing her legs beneath her.

I push myself to a sitting position, resting my back against the side of the truck bed. “I distracted myself with work.” I blow out a breath. “Which was easy since Hank keeps me busy. That, and picking up the pieces my parents left behind. Like helping Poppy with Tripp and making sure everyone’s taken care of.”

Hattie’s eyes soften. “I love that you take care of the people you love.” She opens her mouth, then hesitates. “But it’s okay to take care of yourself, too.”

I look into her eyes, noticing how they glitter in the moonlight. This woman has known me for such a short time in the grand scheme of life but seems to understand me better than anyone else.