“Jolene,” I said, returning her greeting as I signaled to the waiter. “I ordered you a drink.”

“Thanks,” she said, accepting the drink with a wary frown on her brow. “So why did you want me to meet you here? What’s this about?”

“I’ve found a buyer for MacFarland Brokerage.”

The furrow in Jolene’s brow deepened which was a feat considering the amount of money she spent on botox. “A buyer? I wasn’t aware that you were selling. I thought you said—”

“I know what I said, but…circumstances have changed.” I looked down into my glass. “I have changed,” I added.

“I see.” She picked up her glass and swirled the brown liquid, making the ice tinkle a bit. “I’m a bit surprised. You were totally against it when we were in probate.”

“That was when the business was still new, and it was my only source of income. That’s not the case anymore. Like I said, my circumstances have changed, and—”

“You’ve changed,” she interrupted before I could repeat myself. “I heard you the first time. But if I know one thing about you, Darcy MacFarland, it’s that you hate change. What inspired this? Have you met someone?”

I smirked and picked up my glass. “It doesn’t matter what inspired it, but I’m ready to sever our ties. I thought this would be great news for you. You so wanted to have things completely severed in the past.”

“Hm,” she grunted. “Well… I hate to break it to you, but we’ll never be completely severed. Your son and my son are family.”

“I know,” I said with a nod. “Jared is starting his own family now, and I think it’s time for me to be a bit selfish. I’ve always envied that.”

“Envied what?”

“Your selfishness. You’ve always gone after anything and anyone you wanted with little regard for consequences. I’ve always wished I could be that selfish. I guess now is as good a time as any to start.” Thinking about what she just said, something occurred to me that I’d never considered before. I shifted in my seat and leaned forward, bracing my elbows on the table. “You know… I don’t know much about you, Jolene. We met under the worst circumstances so there is little chance that we will ever be besties who brunch together on Sunday’s after church.”

The younger woman rolled her eyes. “You’re right about that.”

I smiled. “But just now… I realized that you’re not the villain I made you out to be.”

“Oh, really? What changed your mind?”

“What you just said about our sons. You want a family for Dylan.”

The corners of her mouth wobbled a bit. “I think that’s what every mother wants, isn’t it?”