Denim and Lace by Diana Palmer

Hollister!”
    Bess forced herself to breathe slowly. “I couldn’t let his family lose Lariat because of us,” she said.
    â€œDamn his family and damn him!” Gussie burst out. “How dare you! How dare you sell an heirloom like those pearls!”
    â€œIt was a debt of honor,” Bess began. “Dad would have—”
    â€œYour father was a weak fool,” Gussie said. “And so are you!”
    Bess’s lower lip trembled. Tears stung her eyes. She wouldn’t cry, she wouldn’t...but the tears spilled over.
    Gussie wasn’t moved. “I was going to buy a car with those pearls,” she said angrily, “and you gave them away!”
    That stopped the tears. Bess wiped them angrily from her cheeks and glared at her mother. Sell the pearls to buy a car, when they could barely meet their rent, and the money from the sale of the house was all but gone. She glared at Gussie.
    â€œYes, I sold them,” she said, her voice shaking because it was the first time she’d ever spoken back. “And Cade will keep Lariat for his children. Children I’ll never have, thanks to you. No man is ever going to want me because of you!”
    Gussie turned her head warily, watching Bess as if she thought the younger woman had a fever. “That’s enough, Bess.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t!” Bess’s voice broke. “I can’t take care of myself and you. Dad always looked after us, but I’m not Daddy. I’m not strong. I can’t cope with a job and bills and you!”
    Gussie looked mortally wounded. “That my own child should speak to me like this,” she said huskily. “After all I’ve done for you.”
    Bess’s lips were trembling so hard that she could barely get words out. “You’re making this so difficult,” she whispered.
    â€œI suppose I could always go on welfare.” Gussie sniffed, reaching for a handkerchief. “And live in the streets, since my own child doesn’t want me.” She began to cry pitifully.
    Bess knew it was an act. She knew that she should be strong, but she couldn’t bear to hear Gussie cry. “Oh, Mama, don’t,” she moaned, going to Gussie, to hold her. “It’s all right. We’ll be fine, really we will.”
    â€œWe could have had a nice car,” Gussie sniffed.
    â€œWe couldn’t have afforded gas and oil for it though,” Bess murmured, trying to make a joke. “And somebody would have had to wash it.”
    Gussie actually laughed. “Well, it wouldn’t have been me, you know; I can’t wash a car.” She hugged Bess back. “I know it’s hard for you, but darling, imagine how it is for me. We were rich and now we have so little, and it’s difficult.”
    â€œI know,” Bess said gently. “But we’ll get by.”
    â€œWill we?” Gussie sat up, rubbing her red eyes. “I do hope so.” She sighed shakily. “Bess, you really will have to see about getting a job soon.”
    Bess started to argue, but Gussie was right. Her mother wasn’t suited to any kind of work, and the most pressing problem was how they were going to live. After all the debts were paid, Bess and Gussie were left with little more than six hundred dollars and some of Gussie’s jewelry.
    â€œI’ll start looking first thing in the morning,” Bess said quietly.
    â€œGood girl.” Gussie got up. “Oh, damn the Hollisters,” she muttered, glancing irritably at Bess. “I’ll never forgive Cade for letting you pay off that debt in full. He could have refused the money, knowing how bad off we are.”
    Bess colored. “Mother, he’s got debts of his own and Dad’s investment scheme almost cost him Lariat. You know how he feels about heritage, about children.”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about him. And don’t you get any more ideas about that man.