His Promise (Married in Montana Book 1) by Lorhainne Eckhart

day with her? She hoped not. Although she liked Nola, she needed to look after herself. She had struggled to bathe and dress herself for weeks, and she’d be dammed if anyone would treat her like a child incapable of tending to her personal needs. It was degrading, that’s what it was. She wouldn’t have come home if that were the case. Maybe Rodney needed to understand that.
    “Rodney, my love.” She reached up and patted his cheek, taking in her wrinkled hand and the dull gold band still on her finger, the same one she’d worn for almost forty-five years from the day Rodney had slipped it on her finger. She didn’t think she could get it off now even if she wanted to. “Stop worrying so much. I’m home, and I don’t need Nola hovering over me as if I’m going to fall at any moment. This change…” She took in the newly renovated bedroom and the sheer curtains that fluttered when a breeze swept in. “It’s lovely. Now let’s go.”
    When she slipped her hand on his arm, he gave her a look as if he didn’t quite believe her, but at least this time he started walking with her to the door. His hand latched over hers to hold her to him.
    “So tell me, when are all my children arriving?” she asked. They made it to the top of the stairs, and she focused on the circular stone steps. At one time, she’d loved the deep orange tile, but going up and down these stairs now was better than an aerobics workout at the nearest gym.
    “Surprise!”
    She nearly dropped her cane at the chorus of voices, looking down into the open foyer where her grown boys, their wives, and her seven grandkids were waiting. “You’re here already! Oh, this is wonderful.”
    One, two, three—she counted them again: Brad, Jed, and Neil with Cat sitting on his shoulders. Her daughter-in-laws, Emily, Diana, and Candy, stood with their husbands, each with an eye on their children, her grandkids. There was something about each one of them, something in their tired, distracted expressions, that Becky recognized all too well. Each woman was holding on to something.
     
    Chapter 2
    “L ike I told your father, I’m fine. Stop hovering,” Becky said. Neil had to be the worst of her children when it came to worrying about her. Not that Brad and Jed hadn’t done their share. Her children, her boys, were strong and good looking, just like their father in their own ways, but each as different as the next. At least Neil had started to relax somewhat. She could see this in the way he dressed. He had swapped out the tailored suits he always wore for black cargo shorts today, and his shirt and tie were also gone.
    She hadn’t seen him dressed up in so long. Even when he’d visited her at rehab, she often saw him in a plain cotton shirt or a simple plain T-shirt. Even his neatly shaven look and short dark hair had changed to a longer style, just brushing his ears, and a five o’clock shadow. It was a look she’d never seen on Neil before. No, it was more like Jed, her youngest, the one who’d insisted on going out on his own and making his own way without any help from his family. He was independent, stubborn. She’d almost lost him.
    “I just don’t want you to push yourself too hard.” He was standing in front of her, looking down on her, his hands on his slim hips.
    Becky sat in the easy chair, the leather rustling when she moved. The living room was impressive. She’d almost forgotten how much she loved this room, with its high ceiling, stone fireplace, shades of brown that were almost orange, windows that filled it with light, and the plants that gave it so much life. She squeezed her cane and rested it against the oak side table, the corners of which she suddenly realized weren’t suitable for her grandkids.
    “Mom, did you hear me?” Neil was still there, and Becky took a breath and glanced up at him.
    “Sit down, Neil. I’m not deaf. I’m wondering if you’ve considered replacing the tables in here.”
    He seemed at a loss as