“We didn’t want that life for you. I still don’t.” Suspicion crept into her voice. “What is this about, Catherine?”
When I didn’t answer right away, she continued. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of staying there.”
I opened my mouth to say No, of course not. I have a job to get back to. But the words wouldn’t come.
“Catherine.” She drew the word out as a warning, but I’d had enough. She’d confirmed what I’d suspected from the moment I’d learned about Bridgewater’s unique ways. She’d kept me from this place for propriety’s sake, even though it had made me happy. She was filling my head with her negative thoughts on the place even through the phone. Being here, meeting the people, seeing it with my own eyes, painted a different picture entirely.
“I’ve got to go, Mom. Good talking with you
