by Kim Law
His grin overflowed with pride. “You’re going to knock ’em dead, Lula.”
She headed to her bedroom and grabbed her bag, unwilling to wait until tomorrow to get started, then she popped into the baby’s room and hugged her mother goodbye.
She sought out Whitney and Boyd next.
“You’re leaving right now?” Boyd asked.
“I have too many things to do. I won’t be here for Mom to make a fuss for my birthday, so I’m going to make a fuss myself.” She kissed her brother on the cheek. “My present to myself will be the launch of my website.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
I hate that it’s the last day of spring break already.” Maggie sighed without looking up. She sat in one of the guest chairs in front of the office’s large window, her attention focused on painting her fingernails a bright red.
“And I hate that our favorite restaurant is closed today. It’s Arsula’s big day. How are we supposed to celebrate correctly without margaritas?”
Arsula looked up from behind her desk and smiled in thanks for her two friends hanging out with her while the rest of the town prepared to party outside. “And I hate that you’re both having to miss the fun because of me.”
Maggie finally took her focus off her nails, but only long enough to shoot Arsula a look. “No. What you really hate is that you’re not out there, too.”
“Very true,” Arsula conceded, because her friend was spot-on. It was the grand reopening of The Cherry Basket today, and she loved a reason to celebrate. And with it being her birthday and no family celebration lined up? Yeah. She’d like to be out there.
She hadn’t heard anything else from Jaden other than that one text while his dad had still been in surgery, though, and when she’d learned that the entire Wilde family—minus Max—would be attending the festivities today, she’d made the decision not to go. She didn’t want to risk anything being said between the two of them that might result in awkwardness.
“Can you tell if they’ve started yet?” Arsula asked, and Erica moved to the door.
As Erica stepped outside to get a better look, Arsula hit refresh on her browser. Her website still wasn’t live.
“Doesn’t look like,” Erica reported as she came back in, “but there’s a huge crowd gathering. I didn’t expect that.”
“Good timing with it being during spring break, I guess.”
“But poor timing by choosing to do it on your birthday,” Maggie added, the twist to her mouth indicating her disapproval.
Arsula wanted to argue that Megan didn’t know when her birthday was, so she couldn’t have realized that the grand reopening she had planned as store manager would fall on the same day, but that was untrue. Before Arsula had driven out of her brother’s driveway the week before, she’d texted her request to launch the site to Megan, and in the subsequent conversation, she’d pointed out that today was her birthday. She’d even shared that due to not being able to be with her family this year, she wanted to make the day special. She’d planned to treat her friends to lunch at their favorite restaurant, then surprise them by showing off her newly launched website.
Instead, she sat trapped inside the office on a beautiful day, while the rest of the town gathered on the opposite side of the square for what seemed to be a fabulous celebration.
“I didn’t realize she was going to get the store open so fast,” Maggie said. She now craned her neck for a better look. “Didn’t they just sign the lease on the place a couple of weeks ago?”
“A little longer than that, I think.” But not long enough that Arsula would have thought the store would be opening already. Megan must have produced some serious magic to make that happen.
“There’s a fire truck coming,” Maggie exclaimed, and Arsula and Erica got up to take a look. It wasn’t a fire truck on the way to put out a fire, though. It was one with balloons and streamers covering it.
“What the heck kind of grand openings go on around here?” Arsula muttered. She peered in the direction of where the party would take place. Apparently, when new businesses opened their doors in Birch Bay, they did it in style. Activity had been going on all morning, with two massive screens brought in and set up in the middle of the square, lights strung between the trees, and even a small stage had been erected. She couldn’t imagine why cutting one little ribbon involved so much, but she absolutely hated that she couldn’t be over there to join in.
“That’s it,” Maggie said when a bus pulled up and a load of senior citizens began filing out. “All three of us are going over there.”
“I still don’t think we should,” Arsula insisted.
“I don’t care what you think,” Maggie added. “It’s your freaking birthday, Arsula. You’re the one who needs to be celebrating around here. Not hiding because you don’t want to risk upsetting Jaden. Did he care about upsetting you when he told you that you were an embarrassment?”
She’d shared the story of her and Jaden’s breakup—as well as her disappointment in her father’s stance—with her friends.
“Plus,” Erica added, “how would Jaden even see you in this crowd?”
That was a valid point.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go over for a few minutes.” Without giving it further thought, she shut down her computer and forwarded the phone. But as soon as they stepped outside, she saw Tim heading for the office. At the sight of him, Arsula stopped.
“I just locked up,” she explained. Dani had gone over to the party earlier and had told her that if she changed her mind to just lock the doors and put up the “Closed” sign. “I didn’t figure you’d be back, but if you need me to do something, I can stay.”
“No.” Tim held out his hands in a stopping motion. “I was coming to get you. Dani decided she wouldn’t feel right if she sat by and let you miss this. We are in charge of the promo for the grand opening, after all. The company needs to be represented.”
Arsula chuckled. “I suppose that’s as good an excuse as any.”
She looked up at Tim before heading toward the party, though, her worry apparent.
“Jaden is over there, right? Have you seen him?”
Tim had teased her when he’d first found out she and Jaden were dating, but he’d also wished her luck. He’d thought they made a great couple.
“He is over there.” He leaned down to whisper, “But if it makes you feel any better, he looks as miserable as you.”
That did help.
She nodded. “Let’s go, then. It’s my birthday, did I tell you?” She slipped an arm through her friends’ arms as Erica and Maggie each moved to her side. “And I intend to party for my birthday.”
Tim’s smile bordered on mysterious, but he didn’t say anything to follow it up.
Jaden watched for Arsula from inside the store, and as he caught his first sight of her, the nerves of the morning calmed. She may not be coming over for him, but at least she was coming over. Now it would be up to him to make her stay.
“Your woman awaits, sir,” Megan said at his side, and Jaden looked over, realizing, not for the first time, that she’d made the right decision in dumping him. She’d been right, he wasn’t the man for her. Just as she wasn’t the woman for him.
And if he hadn’t been so caught up in making sure that someone loved him, he might have even seen that before she had.
He gave her a quick hug. “Thank you for helping me out with this. And for being my friend.”
“My pleasure. What are friends for? Plus, when that crowd realizes that we’re not just selling cherries around here today, they’re going to remember this moment and associate it with the store forever. Big bucks, my friend. And I can’t complain about that.”
Jaden laughed. “You’re an evil genius.”
“That I am, and don’t forget it.”
She nodded toward the mayor, who, with the town’s councilmembers, was making his way toward the stage. “Showtime,” she said.
Megan exited the store, followed by
Jaden and then joined by the rest of his siblings, and as Jaden walked alongside his family, he knew he’d never had a reason to have to prove himself to any of them. All six of them might be a veritable mess, but they were a mess made with love.
Dani gave him a quick hug as she moved to his side on the stage, and then as a group they faced the crowd.
“I want to welcome all of you here today,” the mayor started over the intercom, and the chatter immediately died down. “And I especially want to welcome our newest retail store to the downtown area.”
Cheers went up as Megan waved to the crowd.
“We’re all going to fill up on cherry delectables later, I promise you that. I’ve seen the inside of the store already, and I’ll let you in on a little secret.” The mayor smiled, his face friendly and welcoming. “I might have already tried a sample or two,” he faux whispered into the microphone, and the crowd laughed. “But before we get to the ribbon cutting—and to those delectables—I hope you’ll allow us a few moments first.”
Arsula watched the faces around her as Megan stepped to the microphone next, seeing that they were as uncertain as she as to what was going on. Since she’d arrived, she’d quickly picked up on the fact that this was definitely not a standard grand opening, and everyone knew it. However, special invitations had apparently been sent throughout the town, so many people had closed up shop or been allowed to leave work early to come on out.
“I, too, want to thank you all for coming out,” Megan said over the speakers now. “And if you haven’t yet met me, I hope that’s about to change. I’d like to see each and every one of you in The Cherry Basket every day.”
More laughter, and then the crowd quieted.
“I have a friend who has a small presentation to make before we get to the good stuff, and I agreed to hijack you all to allow him to do it.”
The hairs on the back of Arsula’s arms rose.
Him?
She glanced at Erica and Maggie, but they both seemed as lost as she.
“And don’t worry,” Megan went on, “I promise the samples the mayor mentioned will be waiting on you. And there will be plenty for everyone. But this presentation is really important. You see, this friend of mine means a lot to me. We’ve known each other for a long time, and he has something he needs to say to a person who means a lot to him.”
Before Arsula could allow the thought to form, Jaden moved to the front of the stage.
One of the two screens came to life and filled with a picture, and in the next instant, she saw that the picture was actually a live stream. Of her three brothers, their wives, and their kids.
She stared at Jaden. What was going on here?
“The thing is,” Jaden began, looking toward the middle of the crowd instead of where she stood off to the side, “there are a couple of things I need to say up here today, and one thing leads into the other. So I’ll just jump in with number one.” The rest of Jaden’s family stepped to his side, and they held hands down the line. “My brothers and sister and I want to thank the entire town from the bottoms of our hearts. The love and support that’s been heaped onto our dad over this past week and a half has blown us away, and we can’t begin to thank you enough.”
The crowd cheered, and Jaden went on.
“Dad is doing really great, considering. He is down a leg, and that’s put a bit of a crimp in his style, but he’s alive. And for that, we’re thankful.”
Tears threatened at Arsula’s eyes as the other screen flickered to life, and in the middle of it, perched on a bed at the rehab center, sat Max and Gloria. Max looked tired, but good. He hadn’t felt up to a lot of visitors yet, so she hadn’t made it out to see him, so this glimpse of the man soothed a continuing worry in her heart.
Max waved while Gloria thanked everyone as well, and then Max reached for the microphone.
His hand shook as he talked. “I’ll eventually get out of this prison they’ve stuck me in,” Max began, his voice weak, but coming across the speakers perfectly, “and when I do, I’ll be sure to get by and thank each and every one of you. But today, I need to offer one very personal thanks to one very special person.”
Tim appeared at Arsula’s side and held a camera phone up in front of her, and the screen up front changed, splitting to show both her and Max.
“This young lady saved my life, folks.” Max’s words were filled with tears. “She’s a special one, and I know I’m not the only one here today who’s grateful that she moved to town.” More cheers came from those around her. “Thank you, Arsula,” Max went on, “for trusting your gut. Thank you for saving my life.”
Tears ran unheeded now, and she had the urge to shove Tim’s phone out of her face. She didn’t need the entire town seeing her blubbering like a baby. But while smiling back at Max, she didn’t care who saw her or how bad she looked. She blew the man a kiss, and her heart felt like it increased in size.
“And speaking of that particular lady . . .” The voice changed back to Jaden’s, and when she looked back at the stage, he once again stood alone.
Max disappeared from the screen, Tim faded back into the crowd, and Jaden cleared his throat.
“One thing leads into the next,” he said, “and my father just told you how. Though I’m sure neither of us needed to introduce her. You’ve all heard the story of how Arsula Moretti, a beautiful bright light of a woman, saved my dad when she woke up last Tuesday morning, and now I’m hoping she’ll consider forgiving some nasty things I’ve said to her. And maybe saving me, too.”
He finally turned and looked directly at her, and when Erica and Maggie shifted as if to move away, Arsula reached out to beg them to stay. Only, in their places she found her parents.
“Mom?” She looked from one to the other. “Dad?”
“You see, this woman,” Jaden went on, “is the love of my life.”
Arsula jerked her gaze back to Jaden.
“And it’s her birthday today.” His eyes remained on hers. “And she deserves to have the world handed to her on her birthday.”
The screen that had previously shown Max fired back to life, and this time a video began to play. A video she hadn’t seen before, but one that started with a shot of her face before morphing into images she and Megan had chosen for her website.
“I had a dream last week.” Jaden’s voice sounded through the speakers, but he wasn’t actively speaking. He’d narrated what Arsula now realized was a commercial for her life coaching business. A commercial no doubt made by her own boss. “And in that dream, I lost my way.”
Chills covered Arsula as her mother squeezed her close, and then her dad’s voice came though the speakers.
“And in my dream, I’d lost my way.”
She looked at her dad.
“I’m so sorry,” he told her. “I . . .”
He lifted the bound copy of the book she’d had printed and left for him before she’d driven away from Cheyenne.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he said, “but I do hope you’ll give it. I’m so proud of you, Arsula. And whether you can believe it or not, I’ve always been proud. But I’ve not always been right.”
“Of course I’ll forgive you, Dad. I love you.” She hugged her dad as Jaden’s voice continued from the video.
“But there’s a woman who can help you find your way. And today, Arsula Moretti isn’t just going to be available locally anymore. She’s going worldwide.”
The video ended, and her website appeared.
“Arsula?” Jaden spoke above the noise of the crowd, and suddenly, a path appeared before her. It stretched from her to the stage, and at the other end of it was Jaden holding out his hand. “Would you please come up here? I have a couple of apologies to make.”
She didn’t move. She was too afraid to hope.
“Go, Arsula.” Her mother let loose her arm. “I told you. He’s the one.”
She looked at her mom, seeing the assurance in her eyes.
“Go,” her father urged
. “I’ve been here talking to everyone all morning. They love you. They’re as proud of you as I am.” He inclined his head toward Jaden. “And he loves you. And I didn’t need your mother to tell me that in order to see it.”
Her dad hugged her once again, and then Erica and Maggie dragged her away. They were clearly prepared to lead her to Jaden, but they didn’t have to. Jaden was the only place she wanted to be.
She was jogging by the time she reached the stage, and as she climbed the steps to the love of her life, the crowd behind her cheered. As did her family, grinning back at her from the screen.
“What are you doing?” She stared at Jaden in disbelief.
“I’m trying to prove that I’m not a total jerk.” He took her hand in his. “Nor am I unable to learn. You were right. About everything. My dad . . . my family. I’m working on me again, and I promise to never stop. But also”—he motioned to the screen where the commercial had played—“I’m behind you one hundred percent. You’re not an embarrassment, Arsula, nor could you ever be. You’re an inspiration. To everyone. So no more doubts, and no more lashing out when things scare me.”
She found the last one hard to believe. “Never?”
“Well”—he cringed—“how about if I promise to always apologize when I mess up and do lash out?”
“That certainly sounds more believable.”
He reached for her hand. “I’m so sorry. I’ve said awful things to you, and there’s no excuse. I know that, and I wouldn’t blame you for never forgiving me.”
“But?” she asked, and he smiled as if he’d seen her question coming.
“But, honey, I’m going to ask your forgiveness anyway. Every day until you give it.”
“I give it,” she whispered, and she watched love bloom in his eyes.
“I don’t deserve you, you know?”
“Kiss her!” someone shouted from the crowd, but Jaden waved them off.
“I haven’t gotten to the best part yet.”
As he spoke, it occurred to Arsula that his voice still radiated out over the speakers. Which meant that hers did, too. Everything they’d said had been witnessed by all.
