Only in Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella) by Kelli McCracken Page A

chest. Strong, steady, miserable beats.
    Inhaling the berry scented air freshener, she prepped herself for the impending chat with her mother. Granted, they were getting along better than they had in years, but lingering resentment remained. Regardless of how much she fought it. She shouldn’t expect it to go away soon. Her mother didn’t.
    Closing the door behind her, clicking resonated off the pavement as she ran toward the porch. She covered her head with her briefcase, but it didn’t stop the cold drops from dampening her blouse. Hopefully her mother wouldn’t stay long. Between mental exhaustion and wet clothes, she couldn’t put the bath off for long.
    Pink lips curled up at her once she stepped onto the porch, but they didn’t hold the sincerity they had the last time she saw her mother.
    Tightness formed in Ally’s neck. She did not have time for her mom’s drama when she needed to decompress from her issues.
    Stepping out of her way, her mother waited while Ally slid her key in the lock. “Hey, Ally-bear.”
    “Hi, Momma. What are you doing out in this weather?” The door creaked open once Ally turned the knob. Making her way inside, she set her keys and purse on the end table before stepping out of her heels.
    The plush carpet teased her toes, providing her a smidgen of relief. At least until her mother shut the door behind her. “Rough day at the office, sweetie?”
    Unable to stop herself from snorting, she gave her mother a nod, moving toward the couch. “It was definitely a day I’ll never forget. You have no idea, Momma.”
    “Oh, I think I do.” Slow steps brought her mother around the edge of the recliner. She gave Ally a quick lookover before easing down to the cushion. Each second she sat silently, body rigid and perched at the edge, Ally’s stomach churned tighter.
    “Something’s on your mind, Momma. I know how much you hate the rain. You wouldn’t go out in a downpour just to come hang out with me.”
    Feigning a smile, her mother nodded. She worked her hands together as they sat in her lap. “I had a visitor today. Jonah McCabe. He left about an hour ago, after he told me what happened.”
    The weight of the words sent Ally to the couch, its cushion cradling her bottom as she sank inside. Anger pulsed within her heart. Jonah had no right talking to her mother about anything they’d discussed. She couldn’t understand why he was hell bent on breaking her heart. Admitting her feelings should have been enough satisfaction for him. What did he gain by lying about the past?
    “Did he tell you about the lies he’s spreading about you?”
    Her mother’s hands stilled in her lap. Parting her pink lips, she drew in a breath, releasing it just as quickly. “It’s not lies, baby girl. Everything Jonah told you is the truth.”
    Each beat of Ally’s heart vibrated throughout her body. In her ears. Behind her eyes. Over her skin. If not for the ticking clock on the wall, she would swear time stood still.
    “You were drunk the night I left for New York?” The knot in her stomach twisted when her mother nodded. “Why? You stopped drinking a month before I left. Why would you start again?”
    Digging into her purse, her mother pulled out an envelope. The worn, yellow tint hinted to its age. “Because I found this. It’s from your father. He sent it right after he arrived in Afghanistan. I kept it hidden in my jewelry box for years, afraid that you would find it. I think it’s time for you to read it.”
    Ally stared at the envelope, debating on taking it from her mother. She didn’t know what good would come out of reading the letter. Unless it explained why her mother picked up the bottle again.
    Setting the envelope on the coffee table, her mother scooted it across the top. Ally leaned forward, letting her fingertips stroke the aged paper. Most of the ink had faded from the outside, but she recognized her father’s handwriting. She still had the letters he mailed to her.
    Anxiety