Joe shrugged. “Guess I’m getting my chance today. I hope I don’t blow it.”
She patted him on the back. “I think you’re going to do fine.”
She believed that, too. For some reason—through the grace of God—her husband’s heart had finally come around. And after that, everything else would follow.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Adele thought she might faint. She had to sit down and practically collapsed into a chair. “So, what do you think, Grandma? Would that be all right with you?”
“All right with me? You know this was my dearest hope. What I’ve been praying for,” she said honestly. “Of course I want you all to come here today. I just can’t believe your father agreed to it.”
“It was his idea,” Sam explained. “He doesn’t mind Uncle Kevin coming. He said he wants to see him.”
Joe wanted to see Kevin? Did that mean he wanted to finally make peace with him? Adele wasn’t taking anything for granted. It was enough for her that Joe was willing to be under the same roof as his brother on Christmas Day.
“Oh, Sam . . . words fail me,” she said honestly. “But we need to ask Liza and Claire. They might not be up for an unexpected invasion of Morgans, today of all days. Let me talk to them a minute, and I’ll call you right back.”
Claire was working in the kitchen, starting to prepare a roast duck for the Christmas dinner she had planned. Liza was there, too, working on the vegetables.
Liza glanced over at Adele. “Do you need something, Adele?”
Adele pressed her hands together, hoping they weren’t trembling. “I just got a phone call from Sam, and well, it’s a long story, but my family all want to come here today to be with me . . . and to be together. I think you know that I was trying to patch things up between my two sons. Now it seems Joe is willing to try again. They’ll bring all their own food and drink,” she quickly added. “And paper plates.” She glanced between the two women. “But it’s too much to ask. I’m sorry.”
“Adele, it’s fine with me. We would be happy to have them. That’s what we do best around here. Right, Claire?”
Claire nodded, slipping the duck into the hot oven. “Absolutely. I was thinking it was going to be too quiet around here. I would love to see your family.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I think it’s a great idea,” Liza insisted. She glanced at Claire.
“We know how much this means to you, Adele. We’re happy to help you. You know, I knit you a little hat. It’s under the tree. But consider this a special gift to you, from me and Liza.”
“Thank you both. Thank you so much!” Adele could hardly believe her good luck. She felt tears well up in her eyes. These women were so special and dear to her. How could she ever repay them? Someday, she would try.
“Now call your grandson back and let me talk to him. We need to coordinate the menu.” Claire waited while Adele dialed Sam back.
“Sam . . . it’s all set. Liza and Claire are willing to have us.”
“Happy to have you,” Liza corrected her.
“Happy to have us,” Adele said. “Now Claire wants to talk to you about the food and such. Here she is . . .”
Adele handed over the phone and sat back, taking in deep breaths to calm herself. A family reunion. Just what she had prayed for.
Even better than she had hoped, she realized. Because this time, Joe was not coming, kicking and screaming. It was—miraculously—all his doing.
Forgive me, God, for ever doubting Your goodness. You truly know what is best for us. Thank You for working in Joe’s heart and bringing us all together today. I am so grateful . . . and blessed.
Adele felt as if she were twenty years younger as she ambled about the inn, trying to help prepare wherever she could. Liza and Claire worked as a team, as if they were suddenly one body and mind. They talked in shorthand about the setup of the dining room and sitting areas. Daniel and Jonathan were called on for some heavy lifting—retrieving extra chairs from storage in the basement and moving the long dining table and other pieces of furniture to create an L-shaped buffet area.
A little over an hour later, the inn was transformed and could have easily hosted a wedding.
“You are amazing, ladies,” Adele said as Liza smoothed long linen cloths over the tables and added candlesticks and a pine centerpiece.
“It isn’t perfect enough for a magazine layout. But not bad for crisis mode.”
“We work well under pressure,” Claire added, seeming energized but content. She never seemed to hurry or feel stressed but always got so much done, Adele thought.
“And having your family bring all the food certainly helps,” Liza said with a laugh. “We’re lucky that so many of them are such terrific cooks.”
“That does help,” Adele agreed. Still the transformation of the inn seemed like another miracle.
A short time later, the inn was teeming with guests. My family . . . they’re filling every room, Adele thought, smiling softly to herself. There was eating, drinking, talking, and laughing. The children were outside playing in the snow. Lillian Warwick and Dr. Elliot had taken seats by the fire, close enough to watch the action but out of harm’s way. There was one more chair there, and Adele considered joining them.
It wasn’t hard to tell that Lillian had been upset by the change in plans today. But she did seem distracted by the inn’s architecture and was avidly discussing the moldings and ceiling medallions with her husband. “Do you suppose those are original to the building? I must ask Liza Martin. Perhaps this place should be listed on the registry.”
Adele looked around and could not help but smile. George, George. Look what we created! If only you were here to see this . . .
“Having a good time, Mom?” Joe walked up beside her and put his arm around her shoulder.
“This has to be one of the happiest days of my life. Almost as wonderful as the days you and Kevin were born. Certainly the best Christmas I can remember.” She clutched his hand, feeling she was about to cry again. “Thank you, Joe. Thank you for giving me this.”
Joe squeezed her hand, then gave her a hug. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry it took me so long . . .” His voice trailed off, and he stared down at her. “Do you forgive me?”
Adele sighed and stared up at him. “Of course I forgive you. Do you forgive me for my part in this whole mess?”
“I do, Mom. We all made mistakes. We all played a part . . . But we don’t need to go over that sad story again. What’s done is done. We can’t change the past. But we can turn the page. We can start again. It’s a good day for it, don’t you think?” he asked her, his voice thick with emotion.
“I do, son. I truly do.” Adele got up on tiptoe and took his big face in her hands and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, Joe.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
Joe helped her over to the armchair she had been eyeing and then went to get her some food from the buffet. She heard voices in the foyer and realized that Kevin had arrived. Sam and Molly were both there to greet him and his family. Adele levered herself up on the arms of the chair so she could hurry to join them. Lillian and Ezra stared at her.
“My son, Kevin, from Vermont,” she explained. “It sounds like he’s here.”
“I’m sure he’ll be staying awhile if he’s come all that way. You shouldn’t rush like that,” Lillian warned her. “You’ll break something. Believe me, it’s no picnic.”
She had a point, Adele knew as she headed for the foyer. But it was hard to take it slow today. She was so happy and excited . . . and eager to see how Joe and Kevin would greet each other now.
Adele saw Joe coming out of the dining room. Kevin was handing his coat to Claire when he turned, and the two men faced each other.
Marie stood at Joe’s side and Kevin sto
od with his family—his wife and her kids, Nora and Jackson. Molly and Sam stood watching from the doorway of the sitting room.
Everyone was suddenly so quiet Adele could practically hear her own heartbeat.
Joe walked toward Kevin with his head bowed a bit. He stood before him a moment without saying anything. Kevin waited. When Joe didn’t speak he said, “Hello, Joe. Merry Christmas.”
Joe nodded, still unable to look Kevin in the eye. Adele wondered if he was having second thoughts or if his anger was welling up inside again, taking over his good intentions.
He slowly lifted his head and looked at his brother. “Hello, Kevin. Glad you could make it.” He stuck out his hand. “Merry Christmas,” he added quietly.
For a moment Kevin looked shocked at the simple gesture, and then a huge, warm smile broke out across his face. How he looked like George when he smiled, Adele thought. Especially now that he was older . . . and Joe did, too, she realized.
The two men shook hands long and hard, Joe reaching out to clasp his brother’s hand in both of his own. Was Joe crying? His eyes were shining. But with tears of love and even gratitude, she thought. He was grateful to Kevin for accepting this simple, tentative gesture of reconciliation.
Marie stepped forward and greeted her brother-in-law. Kevin hugged her and presented his wife and her children. Adele realized that Marie and Joe had left Molly’s house so abruptly they hadn’t met yet.
Suddenly it seemed the party was in motion again. Adele walked up to her two sons and smiled at both of them. “So, you made it,” she said to Kevin. “I hope the traveling wasn’t too difficult?”
“Mom, I wouldn’t have missed this party for the world.” Kevin smiled at her, and she knew that he meant every word.
She glanced at each of them. Her sons, together again. That’s all she wanted to see. She was so grateful and happy. She felt . . . at peace.
* * *
“You did very well, Joe. I’m proud of you,” Marie whispered as Joe followed her on the buffet line.
“Thanks, Marie . . . but it’s not over yet. I still want to talk to him. Privately. We still need to hash things out.”
Marie nodded. “All right. One thing at a time. So far, so good,” she encouraged him. “Gee, this food looks good. Did Jessica and Sam make all this?”
“Most of it. I recognize Molly’s stuffed mushrooms. And I think Claire North made the roast duck. . . . It looks first rate,” he noted. “Nice presentation, too.”
“It does. I’m going to try some.” She glanced at his plate, which was still empty. “Aren’t you hungry?”
“I am but my stomach’s all jumpy.” He looked at the food and then put his dish down. “I’m going to look for Kevin and see if he’ll talk things out with me. Better to get this over with, right?”
Marie nodded. “I think you’ll both feel better once you clear the air. He probably wants to talk, too, but he’s as nervous as you are. Don’t worry . . . you’re doing fine.”
Joe nodded at his wife, then turned and left the room. He looked around for Kevin but didn’t see him at first. Then he spotted him out on the porch, where he was talking with Molly’s daughters who had congregated there with his two stepkids.
Joe took hold of his courage and walked outside. It was chilly, but the bracing air felt good. The inn was warming up with all the company and two fireplaces going.
When Kevin saw him, he left the others and walked over.
“So . . . I surprised you today, huh?” Joe tried to smile, but the gesture felt forced.
“You did. I won’t lie. Sam called me while I was driving down here and said you wanted to see me. I didn’t quite believe him at first,” Kevin admitted.
“You gave up on me. I don’t blame you.”
“I said I was surprised. I never gave up on you. I never did and never would.”
His sincerity and loyalty, after all these years and all Joe had done to reject his attempts at reconciliation, made Joe feel sad and guilty.
“I’m sorry I made you wait so long. I know that doesn’t sound like much after all this time, but it took me a long time to see how stubborn I’ve been. How . . . wrongheaded. I’m sorry, Kevin. I really am.”
“I’m sorry, too. For all the time we lost and how I acted when Dad died. I shouldn’t have accepted the store. I know that now and I knew it then. I knew it was wrong and I knew that it hurt you,” he admitted. “You had every right to be angry me. Every right,” he repeated.
Joe nodded. It was hard to even talk about this, to be reminded of that dark time, the stunning blow he had been dealt by his own family. “I was hurt,” he said, “real bad. But now I understand. Dad was desperate to save you, to give you something to keep you safe once he was gone. I would have done the same to save one of my kids. Maybe I just didn’t get that back then.”
“That’s true. Dad was trying to help me. To save me even, I guess. But he didn’t realize that I had to save myself. That was the only way to climb out of the dark pit I’d thrown myself into. But I could have been more honest with you, Joe. I was ashamed of myself, I was so weak and my life was such a mess. You had it all together, a wife and a family and you always had a good job. I didn’t have anything. I’d lost my job, my home, my wife . . . I was a failure. I hated myself. And I was drowning in self-pity,” he added. “I was so jealous of you. That little store didn’t even seem like much compared to the life you had.”
Had Kevin really seen him that way? Marie’s words from Christmas Eve night came back to him. “I am blessed. But I’ve taken it for granted, pining after something I didn’t get.” Before Kevin could reply he said, “Did you really try to . . . to end your own life?”
“I did,” Kevin admitted quietly. “I was in a lot of pain, and it just seemed easier. I wasn’t the strong person you were. That wasn’t even the bottom, either. I had to lose the store and at least a year or more of my life to finally face myself. That was the cost. I’m sorry for that. Sorry for taking what should have been yours. I have no excuse for it. But I am sorry.”
Joe nodded, taking in Kevin’s words. “I’ve been thinking about all this, Kevin, thinking about it a lot. I sort of decided that the store wasn’t mine if I didn’t get it. It wasn’t really Dad’s to give. Everything comes from God and He wanted you to have it, for whatever reason. Who knows how my life would have turned out if I did get the store? Maybe my marriage wouldn’t have been so happy. Or I would have regretted leaving my kids behind here. Marie never wanted to leave Cape Light. Maybe the big stores on the turnpike would have put me out of business, same as they did you. There are no guarantees in this life.”
“I appreciate it, Joe, but you don’t have to say that to make me feel better.”
Joe shook his head. “I’m not. Honest. It’s just that we don’t know what would have happened if I took the store away from you. I do know that I’ve had a good life and I don’t have anything to complain about. Even though you would never know it from the way I’ve been acting lately.”
Kevin laughed. “I have a lot to be grateful for, too. I’m five years sober and I’ve got my life back. I’m strong inside. The way I always thought of you . . . my big brother, Joe.”
Joe felt embarrassed by his words, but touched. “I’m not so great. A big man doesn’t act the way I did. But I’m trying to do better . . . Why did we waste all those years? We can never get them back again.”
“That was foolish. But at least we have a second chance.”
Joe nodded thoughtfully. “Just in time for you to move to New Zealand.”
“Planes fly both ways, Joe. We should have our next family reunion there. Or maybe at some halfway point.”
Joe laughed. “I’ll have to check a map and get back to you. I have no idea what’s halfway between New Zealand and New England.”
He slapped Kevin on t
he back, then hugged him. “Merry Christmas, Kevin. I know I told you that before, but it’s been too long since I said those words.”
Kevin hugged him back. “Let’s promise each other, this is the first of many more Christmases we’ll celebrate together.”
Joe smiled and nodded, but he felt as if he was holding back tears, too. “You’re a good man, brother . . . I can’t argue with that.”
* * *
The Morgan family party on Christmas Day was not at all what Jonathan had expected. Then again, his entire stay in this place had been one long surprise. He had actually enjoyed himself with the Morgans, along with Liza, Claire, and their friends. He could not remember ever being at such a big, raucous holiday party.
When he thought about it the next day, it was probably just the distraction he needed from his sad thoughts about Tess and his qualms about leaving here with everything so unsettled—with her, and with his work.
But it was time to head back to the city. Past time, perhaps. Yesterday in church the minister had talked about forgiveness and wiping the slate clean. He had made it sound so easy. But it wasn’t so easy. Not for Tess. Jonathan had looked for her at the service. He remembered she said her family attended church there. But the sanctuary was so crowded, he hadn’t caught sight of her. Still, that didn’t mean she wasn’t there.
What did it matter? He would leave today. Their relationship was over and done.
He packed quickly and went down to the kitchen. Claire was there with Liza. The buttery, rich scent of French toast filled the air, mingling with the smells of coffee and bacon.
“First one down,” Claire greeted him. “Everything’s set up in the dining room this morning, Jonathan. You can help yourself to coffee. I’ll bring the food in shortly.”
Jonathan headed to the coffeemaker and filled a mug. Adele’s son Kevin and his family had stayed over, so there would be a full table this morning. Jonathan didn’t feel much like talking to strangers and wasn’t even that hungry.
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