by Rachel Hanna
At the same time, it had felt like she was betraying him, like she was saying that their years together hadn't mattered. It had been a real struggle, and one that she had to deal with alone out on the road. But when Harry had proposed on a whim and they found themselves standing in front of a Las Vegas preacher, she had known without a doubt that she was doing the right thing.
“So, what's up?” she asked, as she sat down at the table, sliding a piece of pie and a cup of coffee over to her son.
“Aren't you having any?”
She shook her head and smiled. “Darlin’, I ate so much junk food on that trip. I'm trying to pack myself full of vegetables before we leave in a few weeks.”
“I’m going to miss you,” he said, softly. It did her heart good to hear him say that. For so many years, they hadn’t been in contact at all, and hearing him admit that he would miss her, even on a short trip, warmed her heart.
“Don't you worry. We won't be gone that long. Harry has some family up in Virginia, so I think we're just going to head up there for a few weeks this summer so I can get to know them. He has two nieces, and they have a whole passel of kids.”
William smiled. “I’m sure they'll love you as much as everyone does.”
“Let's hope so, because they ain't getting rid of me!”
“Where is Harry?”
“Oh, he had a follow up appointment with his neurologist today. Mine isn't until next week. Gotta go see how this whole Parkinson's thing is going, get our medications refilled. You know the drill.” She always downplayed the disease, unwilling to let it define who she was or how she lived her life.
“And how are you feeling?” he asked, still restlessly moving his fingers.
“I’m feeling fine, son. But you look like you're about to come out of your skin. Tell me what's going on.”
“Well, I’m about to make a life-changing decision, and I just thought maybe I needed to talk to somebody about it first.“
Dixie grinned. “Are you going to ask Janine to marry you?“
William almost choked on his coffee, putting it on the table and covering his mouth. “What would make you say that?“
“I don’t know, just seemed like that’s where you were headed. Don’t you love her?”
“I do. But I don’t think we’re quite ready for that yet. Janine is still building her business, and I…”
“Spit it out, William. What’s got you so rattled?”
“I’m a little afraid I’m going to disappoint you.”
She stared at him. “Disappoint me? You could never do that. What on earth is going on?”
“You know I just started my own marketing firm after I came back from Texas, right?”
She nodded. “Of course. Janine told me you've been working morning, noon and night trying to make it successful. I'm proud of you for that.”
“I’m thinking of closing it down.”
Dixie's head jolted back a bit, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “Close it down? Have you given it enough time?”
He sighed. “I hate it, Mom. I loathe it with a passion. It's just what I thought I was good at, but I can't imagine getting up every morning for the rest of my life and running that business.”
She reached over and rubbed his hand. “Well, then do something else.”
He laughed. “You and Janine make everything sound so simple.”
“Well, that's because it is simple. There's no need for a person to hate what they do. I wouldn't get up every day and run that bookstore if I didn't love it. Janine wouldn't do her yoga if she didn't love it. You need a passion, or you'll make yourself miserable.”
“But I have rent to pay. And I need to be putting away for the future because I would like to marry Janine one day. But right now, I just feel like a big failure.”
She squeezed his hand and looked him in the eye. “The only time you're a failure is if you quit. You're not quitting, are you? I mean, you're gonna find something else you like to do?”
He sucked in a deep breath and then blew it out. “Well, that's why I'm here. I sort of have something in mind.”
She smiled. “See? I knew my William would have a back up plan. What is it?”
“I think I want to start a fishing business, in the marsh.”
Now, she really was confused. “A fishing business? Like where you sell fish that you catch?"
William let out a laugh. “No. Like where I take people on trips. Teach them about the marsh, help them learn how to fish there. Work with tourists and locals.”
“So, a fishing charter business?”
“Right. Janine had me do this silly exercise where she was trying to tap into my subconscious mind…”
Dixie held up her hand. “Lord, I don't understand what that girl is talking about sometimes.”
He laughed. “Me either, but this one actually seemed to make sense. She asked me some questions, I had to answer fast and when she asked me what I wanted to do, suddenly fishing popped out of my mouth. I don't even know where it came from.”
Dixie squinted her eyes at him. “You and I both know where it came from.”
William stood up and paced back-and-forth next to the table. “Daddy?”
“You know it. That was always Johnny's dream. He wanted to take that old fishing boat, and show everybody how to fish those marsh waters. But he got stuck doing his job, and he never got to live that dream.”
“But it's crazy, Mom. I don't even know how much money I could possibly make doing something like that.”
She stood up and walked over to him, putting her hands on his upper arms and looking up at him. He was tall, like his dad. “You'll never know unless you try. And I have faith in you, son. You always land on your feet.”
“I have another question.”
“What's that?”
“Can I have daddy's boat?”
She smiled. It’d been years since she thought about that old rickety boat. She kept it in a storage unit over near Charleston. Johnny had bought it intending to work on it, being that he was so good with his hands. But right after he purchased it, he’d started getting sick. She just couldn't bear to look at it, so she put it away, out of sight and out of mind.
“Of course you can. But, and pardon me for saying so, you're not exactly the mechanical type.”
William nodded. “Don't worry. I'm going to ask Dawson to help me. Maybe even Tucker, since he invents all kinds of intricate toys. Maybe he can help me too.”
She chuckled. “Well, it sounds like a wonderful group project. Let me go get you the key to the storage unit.” As she started walking toward the desk where she kept the key in the drawer, she turned around. “William?”
“Yeah?”
“I want you to know that your daddy is smiling down from heaven right now. He'll be there helping you get that boat set right. Don't you worry.”
Colleen was more nervous than she ever had been in her life. She had been working all day around Dawson's property, trying to get set up for the foster kids’ camp. It started in just a few days, and it seemed like there was still so much left to do.
So far, they had gotten the old barn turned into a bunkhouse for the kids since the inn was full of guests most of the time. Amy, the head of children and family services locally, would be sending social workers to stay overnight and make sure that all of the kids were accounted for.
The final count had been right at fifteen children. She had to admit, she didn't have a whole lot of experience working with kids, although Tucker did. He was just a big kid at heart. His playful nature and willingness to listen was going to be a big help when the kids got there.
She was getting a little nervous, wanting to make sure that it was a wonderful event for the children. They weren't making any money on this, and at times she had questioned why they had offered that. But then she would think about these kids who had no parents, and she knew that she was doing the right thing. While she was certain some of them were in great foster homes, she
was also very well aware of how broken the foster care system could be. For the days that the kids would be with them, she was going to do her best to make it a great experience in their lives.
Lucy, Dawson’s resident chef and stand-in grandmother, had created a beautiful menu for the children. Filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and chicken pot pie, the kids would be well fed the whole time they were there. They had planned to have a big breakfast outside each morning before doing all kinds of physical activities throughout the day, including kayaking and playing on the beach. They would run three-legged races, bob for apples and even do a little fishing.
By far, Tucker was most looking forward to teaching them about toys and inventions and all of the things that he found the most interesting. His secret hope was that one of the kids would become a toy inventor, but Colleen told him not to pressure the children.
“What else do y'all need?” Dawson asked, as he walked up behind Colleen. She was sitting at the picnic table on the back deck overlooking the ocean, furiously writing on a pad of paper attached to her clipboard. She had recently gotten the names and ages of the kids, she was trying to make sure that all of the activities would work well for every child.
“Nothing right now. You've been a godsend, Dawson. I really appreciate all of your help. I know you're busy running the inn.”
He smiled. “You're like my daughter, so you know I don't mind.”
Colleen smiled.
“Oh, I hope I didn't speak out of turn. I know you have a father…”
She laughed. “I don't mind at all, Dawson. I kind of think of you like a stepfather. Who knows? Maybe one day you will be.”
He shook his head. “I don't know about that. I don't think your momma is wanting to get married again.”
Colleen waved her hand in the air. “Oh, what does she know? She had a tough couple of years, but she seems to be head over heels in love with you.”
“What about you girls? What would you think if your mom got married again?”
“We would be ecstatic. She deserves a second chance at love, and we wouldn't want anyone else in our family but you.”
Dawson chuckled. “Well, maybe you can tell her that.”
“Y’all aren’t over here talking about me, are you?” Julie asked as she walked over. Colleen hadn't even noticed that she had parked her car just a few feet away.
“No, Mom. We have more things to talk about than you. How conceited,” Colleen said jokingly as she rolled her eyes. Julie sat down beside her.
“Don't be sassy. What are you up to?”
Dawson leaned over the table and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Your daughter has been amazing setting up this camp.”
“Don't forget Tucker,” Colleen said. Even though he had helped a lot, he was back at work on a conference call about a new toy they would be unveiling over the summer. Some mixture between a robot and a ghost. Colleen rarely understood what he was talking about, but she loved working with him anyway.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Julie asked.
“Well, if you can help me organize all of these games by age group. I received the final list of kids, but I want to make sure that none of these games is too hard for the little ones or too easy for the big ones.”
Julie took the clipboard and started looking it over. “I’ll be happy to. Meg has a night class, so I don't have to get Vivi for a couple of hours.”
“Where is Christian?”
“He's got some staff meetings this evening. So, of course, I offered to keep Vivi. I never miss an opportunity to squeeze those little cheeks,” Julie said, laughing.
“I love watching you be a grandmother. I wish I could've watched you be a new mother,” Dawson said, offhandedly.
“Me too,” Julie said, softly. Colleen suddenly felt like she was sitting in the middle of a conversation where she didn't belong.
She loved her father, although sometimes he made it difficult. But, there were times that she looked at her mother and Dawson and wished they could've had more years together. Dawson would've made the best father she could imagine. He was protective, kind and fun. Some kid would've really benefited from having him as a dad. It made her sad to think that he lost his only child and would never get that chance again.
“Well, I'll leave you ladies to it. Colleen, if you need anything, I'll be out back. I'm building a new table for the breakfast room.”
“I’ll come back and see you in a minute,” Julie said, smiling at him as he walked away.
“You guys are too cute,” Colleen said, giggling. Julie bumped her shoulder.
“Stop it.”
“You know he wants to marry you, right?”
Julie froze in place and then looked at her daughter. “Did he say that?”
“Not in so many words. But, I think that he thinks you wouldn’t marry him.”
Julie sighed. “It's not that. I just don't know if I'm ready for that, or if I'll ever be. No offense to your father, but that whole thing really took it out of me. I couldn't go through that again.”
“He's not daddy. Dawson would never hurt you like that.”
“I know. Let's not talk about it right now. Besides, I have a secret plan I need to run by you.”
“What do you mean?”
“What if we throw a big wedding reception for Dixie and Harry? We could do it at my house or even here at the inn once the camp is over.”
“That's a great idea! But, you're going to have to plan that one. I'm all planned out after this camp,” Colleen said, putting her head down on the table. Julie patted her on the back.
“Oh, I’ve got big plans.”
Chapter Five
Meg took a bite of her sandwich and stared off into the distance. Vivi was finally down for the night, and it had been a long one. Her mother had kept her until class was over, and then Meg had gone to pick her up. She went home, fed her dinner and waited for Christian to get back from work. When he finally did, it took them hours to get Vivi to sleep. She wasn't sure, but she had a feeling that her mother had given her chocolate ice cream because she had seen the empty carton in the kitchen. Either that, or her mother had a really big sweet tooth.
“You look exhausted,” Christian said as he walked into the kitchen. He sat down beside her, rubbing her arm.
“I am exhausted. Between school and being a mom, I'm starting to feel a little bit like a failure. Or a zombie. Or maybe a zombie failure.”
Christian chuckled. “You're doing fine. It's hard, and even harder for you. I get to be at work all day, and I know you're struggling with keeping up with your schoolwork and taking care of Vivi. But it's all going to pay off.”
“I know. And I love my daughter more than anything in this world. I wouldn't trade this life for any amount of money.”
Christian leaned over and kissed her. Lately, that was kind of rare, not because he wasn't romantic. He was French, after all. But their time together was limited, usually reserved for late nights when Vivi was either still awake or they were both too tired to even bother with hugs or kisses or anything else.
“I want to ask you something,” Christian said. He seemed a little nervous, and she couldn't imagine why.
“What?”
“Have you thought anymore about what we talked about a few days ago?”
“You mean getting married?”
“Yes. It's all I've thought about all week.”
She smiled and rubbed her thumb across his cheek. “You're so romantic.”
“I try. I want us to get married, Meg. Make it official.”
“I know. And I want that too. But, right now I couldn't possibly enjoy planning a wedding and all of that.”
“Then we can go to the justice of the peace.”
She stared at him. “Christian, I'm only going to get married one time in my life, and I don't want it to be in front of the justice of the peace.”
“I know, my love. I'm sorry. I just want to be able
to tell people that you're my wife.”
“And I want people to know that you're my husband. I realize we did this whole thing out of the traditional order, having a baby first. But I want a special wedding day. I want to do all of the planning with my sister and my mother. I want to pick a dress, a venue, taste test all of the wedding cakes I can get my hands on…”
Christian smiled. “You’re right. All of that is important.”
“Right now, I can't even keep my head on straight between math class and teething. I couldn't possibly enjoy the process of planning a wedding.”
“Then we will wait. When you feel ready, I am here. Always willing. You say the word.”
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “I promise that I will marry you. Just let me get through these next few months of school, and then we’ll start planning. And we will have the most magical day any two people could ever have.”
SuAnn rolled out the dough for the umpteenth time. No matter how many times she followed the recipe, she couldn’t seem to get it just perfect. Although the pie tasted divine, it had to look perfect, like something out of a magazine. She was determined to beat Henrietta Bankston if it was the last thing she did.
“How many more times are you going to bake this pie?” Darcy asked as she walked out of the back room with more cupcakes from the fridge.
“As many times as it takes, I suppose.” She continued staring down at the dough as she carved the thin slices of it to lay over the top in a lattice design.
“What’s the big deal about this contest anyway?” Darcy asked as she pulled herself up onto the counter.
“I told you to quit sitting up there. You’re not a child,” SuAnn scolded. Begrudgingly, Darcy jumped down and leaned against the counter, her arms crossed.
“Fine, Mom,” she said, sarcastically. SuAnn still wasn’t sure she liked Darcy all that much, but she gave as good as she got and was okay with the customers for the most part.
