Chapter 17

I checked my phone a dozen times after I got ready for my date with Andre. I deleted the messages from my mother without listening to them or reading them. I wasn’t up for the guilt.

Not that I had a reason to feel guilty. I didn’t do anything wrong.

I didn’t have a message from Andre, so ten minutes before he was supposed to pick me up, I turned off my phone and left my room.

The family I had breakfast with was coming down the stairs and saw me walking toward the door. Ashleigh stopped me with a hello while her husband and son headed outside.

“Do you want to join us for dinner?” Ashleigh asked.

“Oh, that’s so sweet, but I’m going out with someone.”

Ashleigh’s brows went up. “Is this the someone you mentioned earlier?”

My cheeks warmed, and Ashleigh squealed.

“Have you thought more about staying here?”

I drew a breath and nodded. “I have, actually. I don’t know if it’s right, but I know going back to DC isn’t. Especially after my mom called me earlier and threatened to drag me back to the city.”

“No, she didn’t.”

I nodded. “Yeah, and my ex-fiancé was with her.”

“Why would she think you’d have any interest in going back or in marrying him?”

“Because she doesn’t get that what she did isn’t okay. She thinks she’s flawless.”

“Ugh. I can’t stand people like that. We all have flaws. We all have blessings, too, but we all have flaws.”

“I agree.” We walked outside, and I saw Andre get out of his truck. I smiled when his eyes met mine.

“Is that him?” Ashleigh asked.

I nodded, nibbling my lip.

“He’s cute,” she whispered. “You should definitely move here for that man.”

“Ashleigh,” I hissed, laughing as she walked away.

“Have a good night, Joelle!” She said hello to Andre as she passed him.

Andre said hello, then gave me a weird look. He climbed the porch stairs two at a time and stopped in front of me, kissing my cheek. “Friend of yours?”

I nodded. “We met at breakfast. Her son stole my bacon.”

“How old is he?”

“Elementary school age. Maybe seven? He’s adorable.”

“She seems friendly.”

“She is.”

“Are you ready to go?”

I nodded. “Are you sure this is going to be okay?”

He grabbed my hand and started down the stairs. “Not even a little bit.”

I stopped, pulling his hand. “What? Why?”

“Because my mother is sure to scare you off.”

I laughed and let him tug me forward again. “Not possible. Trust me when I say I’ve faced the worst of mothers and yours can’t come anywhere close.”

“I hope you’re right because she’s going to try.”

“I’m not worried.”

He drew a breath and opened the door for me. “That makes one of us.”

I chuckled and lifted on my toes to kiss him. I climbed into the truck before he had a chance to respond.

“Sneaky,” he said, closing my door and jogging around to the driver’s side. He climbed up and started the truck, backing out of the spot and easing down the driveway.

“Tell me about your parents. Any topics I should avoid?”

“Nah. They’re pretty laidback. Aside from wanting me to give them grandkids and their total disappointment that I haven’t yet, they’re chill.”

“Why haven’t you?” I asked, honestly curious. He was attractive, kind, and funny. Why wasn’t he married with a minivan full of kids?

“Molly doesn’t count?” he teased, pointing his thumb at the backseat.

I turned and saw Molly sitting upright, watching out the front window. “I didn’t see her there. Hello, Molly.”

Molly meowed her response, then pawed at the console.

“Can she come up here?”

“She would love it, but I told her to stay there since you’re sitting up front.”

“Can she sit with me?”

“Yeah. Molly, come.”

Molly chirped and jumped onto the console. She tested my lap with her paw, then climbed on and licked my hand.

I rubbed her back and smiled. “She is a wonderful grandcat.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“So, kids?”

“I guess I haven’t met the right person yet.” He shrugged. “I dated and had a couple of serious relationships before I moved back here, but being in my hometown surrounded by people I grew up with is different. Especially after almost twenty years. I feel like I’m old to start a family.”

“But you want to get married?”

He shrugged, glancing at me before continuing. “Yeah, I would like to find someone. My parents have a great relationship. When my dad got sick…” He paused, swallowing before continuing. “When he got sick, it was really hard for my mom. She was a little lost. They’d been together forever, and seeing him in the hospital and going through his recovery was not easy. For her or for me, if I’m honest.”

I nodded. “My dad died when I was little. I don’t really remember him. He worked a lot, and he was always gone. I was closer to my mom, and when he died, she changed.”

“In what way?”

“She became more controlling. Before, she would complain about my dad all the time. About his schedule and not being around and him leaving her to deal with everything at home. After, she sort of stopped talking to me. Like she forgot I was there.”

“That sucks. How old were you?”

“Six.”

“And she forgot about you?”

“She took over for my dad at work, and it was a lot. She had to learn how to do everything he did. She loved it, more than she loves me, I think.”

Andre pulled over on the street in front of a cute home with flower beds out front and a swing on the porch. The house was light blue with navy shutters around the windows. A picture window was accented by light curtains on the inside and framed an older woman laughing at something someone out of view said.

It was quaint and sweet. It made my heart squeeze. I’d never lived in a house like it.

“What did your dad do?” Andre asked.

His question snapped me back to the moment. What would he say if he learned the whole truth about my past? About what my mother did, and who I was? About her sleeping with Thomas and me not being desirable enough for my fiancé to stay faithful? I couldn’t tell him. Not right before we walked into his parents’ house. But I needed to. Soon. “Your mom is watching us.”

Andre looked at the house, and his mother waved. She held a dishtowel in her hand. Her smile was bright and welcoming.

Andre sighed. “She’s going to watch us until we go in.”

“Let’s go.”

“I’m going to apologize again for whatever they say while we’re here.”

I laughed. “It’ll be fine. I promise. I’m not worried about it.”

Andre drew a breath and nodded. He got out of his truck, and I opened my door. Molly jumped down and ran toward the house as Andre met me on the sidewalk. He took my hand and held onto it until we reached the door, which opened in front of us.

“Hello!” his mom said, smiling brightly and glancing at our joined hands before she stepped forward to hug Andre.

“Hi, Mom. Happy anniversary.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” She released him and turned to me. “You must be Joelle. We’ve heard so much about you. I’m Wendy.”

I intended to shake her hand, but she wrapped me up in a hug before I could do anything.

Tears sprang to my eyes. Her hug was welcoming and friendly. Comforting. So good. I didn’t know I needed it until she was holding me.

“Mom,” Andre said, clearing his throat. “Let her breathe.”

“I’m sorry,” Wendy said, grabbing my hands when she let go of me. “I’m so excited to meet you.” She noticed my tears and gasped. “Oh, I didn’t mean to upset you. Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so emotional.” I sniffed and tried to play it off. I reached into my handbag and pulled out the card and gift certificate I picked up after Andre told me about dinner. “For you and your husband. Congratulations.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” Wendy said.

“I didn’t want to come empty-handed. I’m grateful for the invitation.”

“We are so happy you could celebrate with us. This one never brings women home.”

“Mom,” Andre gasped.

“Oh, please. Joelle needs to know she’s special.” Wendy grabbed my arm and led me into the house. “My son is a good man, but he can be a little obtuse.”

“Mom,” Andre groaned.

Wendy ignored him and led me to the kitchen, waving at Landon as we walked past the living room I saw through the front window.

Andre’s dad was in the kitchen with Molly on his shoulder when I walked in. Wendy introduced us, and I blanched when she said his name was Tom.

“Sorry,” I said when I hesitated before shaking his hand. “I knew someone named Thomas, and it threw me off.”

“No worries,” Tom said. “Common names like mine can illicit all sorts of reactions.”

“It was not personal, I assure you. I’m so thankful to be included in your anniversary dinner tonight.”

Tom hugged Wendy to his side and kissed her cheek. “Forty-five years with this one. I wouldn’t trade a single day of it.”

I smiled. That was what love was supposed to look like. Two people who couldn’t get enough of each other. No wonder Andre fell in love easily. He saw the good of it. He knew what love looked like.

Standing in front of these two, I realized I’d never seen a couple who were happily married for so long. In DC, in my mother’s circles, the people who stayed married were together for political or business reasons. They weren’t together because they couldn’t imagine not being together.

It was refreshing, and maybe a little sad. Andre’s parents were what all marriages should look like. I was sure it wasn’t perfect, but they were clearly still in love.

I wanted that. I wanted someone who couldn’t get enough of me. Someone who wanted me there every day. Who kissed me for no reason and celebrated every milestone. In private. Not in front of the world so everyone could say how great he was.

“Can I help with anything?” Andre asked from behind me.

“Yes, we’re ready to eat,” Wendy said. “Carry this to the table.”

“Hey, Joelle,” Landon said from next to Andre.

Andre squeezed my shoulder, then moved past me to help his mother.

“Hi, Landon. Good to see you again.”

Landon leaned forward as if to hug me, giving me a chance to stop him.

I hugged the man I’d only met once. It didn’t have the same impact that hugging Wendy had, which I was grateful for. Landon kept his body away from mine and released me quickly. A friendly hug.

“How are you?” Landon asked.

“I’m good. Thank you. How are you?”

“I can’t complain.”

“You complain all the time to me,” Andre said as he walked by us with a dish in his hands.

Landon flipped Andre off, then grabbed another bowl from Wendy.

I chuckled at the two of them, enjoying the friendliness and family feel. It was unlike anything I’d ever been around.

It was definitely topping my list of things I wanted in my future.

I carried a plate of asparagus to the table. Wendy and Tom carried the last two plates. We all settled around the dining room table, me between Andre and Wendy. Landon sat on Andre’s other side with an empty chair between him and Tom.

“Joelle, would you be okay if I said grace?” Tom asked.

“Oh, of course. Please go ahead.” All these new things for me.

Tom bowed his head, and I followed suit when I noticed the others doing the same. Andre grabbed my hand and squeezed, winking at me.

“God, thank you for blessing me with the love of this amazing woman for the last forty-five plus years. For gifting us with a wonderful life full of love and family and laughter. For carrying us through the times when we struggled, and for giving us the courage to always talk to each other when we didn’t know where to go. Thank you for our children and grandchildren, for the people we’ve welcomed into our world and who’ve welcomed us into theirs. Please continue to bless all of us always. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone said.

I echoed softly after them.

Andre brought my hand to his lips for a quick kiss before releasing me.

Molly jumped up on the chair between Tom and Landon. I expected someone to yell at her, but Tom reached over and scratched her head.

My mother would have had a fit. Animals at the dinner table? Absurd!

I nearly laughed at the thought. Everything about MacKellar Cove was the opposite of how I was raised. From the friendliness of the people who called the small town home to the way they acted toward all the things my mother would have been appalled by.

I found myself unable to find the same faults in everything that my mother always claimed were inexcusable. Molly was a part of the family, and she was allowed to be included in the celebration. Why was that a bad thing?

Everyone grabbed a dish and added some of whatever was on it to their plate, then passed the plate to the next person. We all filled our plates, with Tom cutting a small piece of chicken and setting it on a plate left for Molly. She gobbled it up, then meowed her thanks before curling up on the chair.

Who could find fault with that?

“So, Joelle, how long have been living in MacKellar Cove?” Wendy asked as I took a bite of my chicken.

I was buttery soft and melted on my tongue. But not quickly enough for me to answer the question.

“A few weeks,” Andre said.

I nodded, smiling at him in thanks for helping.

“Where do you live?” Tom asked.

“She’s staying at the Inn,” Andre said, his tone a little more forceful.

“Oh, so you don’t live here?” Wendy asked.

I shook my head. “No. I’m just here for an extended vacation.”

“Oh,” Wendy said.

I could feel her disappointment.

“Are you interested in moving here?” Wendy asked.

“Mom!” Andre barked.

“What? I’m just curious. I mean, you’re seeing each other, and I didn’t know she wasn’t living here. Is it really so bad that I’m asking if she’s going to move here? You’re not getting any younger,” Wendy said.

“Oh my God, Mom. Please don’t. We are enjoying our time together. You don’t have to make it into a bigger deal than it is.”

“I’m not making anything into a big deal.”

Andre glared at her, and Wendy fell silent.

Uncomfortable silences I was used to. I grew up in them, spent most of my life in them. But I didn’t like knowing I was the cause of it.

“How did you two meet?” I asked Wendy, hoping to smooth the ruffled feathers and turn the conversation back to something positive.

Wendy and Tom shared a smile.

“We worked together. He was dating one of my coworkers, actually.”

“Dating is a strong word. We’d been on one date when you started working there. I couldn’t even think about another woman when I saw you.”

“Such a charmer,” Wendy said, her cheeks turning red.

Tom grabbed her hand and kissed it the way Andre had done with mine. “I just know a good thing when I see it.”

Wendy blushed even redder.

“It took me a while to convince her to go out with me. She was focusing on school, and she didn’t have time in her schedule for dating. I was patient, though.”

Wendy snorted. “You were nothing of the sort. He used to hang around outside my dorm to walk me to class. He’d bring me a coffee every morning, fixed exactly how I liked it. He convinced our manager to change his schedule to match mine so we always worked together, and he offered to drive me to work every shift.”

“Wow,” I breathed. I’d never known anyone to go to those lengths to draw the attention of someone else. In my experience, if you didn’t fall all over yourself for a man, he’d move on to someone else.

“Nowadays they arrest you for those things,” Andre said.

“Oh, hush you,” Wendy said with a laugh. “It was really sweet. It showed me he was the kind of man who would always be there for me. It told me I could count on him, and not just when things were good but when I needed someone.”

“That’s amazing,” I said.

Wendy and Tom shared a smile that held a lifetime of commitment and love.

“The good thing is, once I convinced her to give me a shot, it was a lot easier to convince her to marry me,” Tom said. “Six months after we met, we got married.”

“That’s fast,” I said.

“When it’s right, it never feels fast enough.”

The truth of that hit me right in the chest. On my wedding day, I wanted to delay. I knew it wasn’t right. It was never going to be. But every day I spent with Andre was the opposite. I said goodbye to him and wondered how quickly I could see him again.

That was what love was supposed to feel like. But I was alone in that, and I couldn’t scare him away. If I did, then moving here would be the worst idea ever.

But every time I considered leaving, I knew it would destroy me. I loved MacKellar Cove. I loved everything about being there. Including one resident with the most adorable cat and a pretty great life.

We finished dinner, and I offered to help Wendy clean up. She waved me off, but I didn’t listen, carrying plates to the kitchen to help her out while Andre, Landon, and Tom settled in the living room.

“I apologize for putting you on the spot earlier,” Wendy said. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine.”

“I worry about my kids, all of them, but especially Andre. My older two have settled down and are happy. Andre seems to be more sensitive than the others. He gets his heart broken more easily.”

“Really?” That surprised me after the way Andre spoke about falling in love.

Wendy nodded. “He is so open and kind, but he’s scared. I know I push, and that probably makes it worse, but I want the best for him. He’s different around you than he has been the last few years. I think you’re good for him.”

I smiled. “I feel the same. He’s a very good man.”

“So does that mean you might consider moving to MacKellar Cove?”

“I’ve actually been thinking about it a lot lately. And I’m leaning toward moving here, yes.”

“What?” Andre blurted from behind me. “You’re moving here?”

I spun and faced him, my smile falling.

Why did he look angry?