June nods, looking at me with scrutiny. “You didn’t answer my question. What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Just tired,” I lie, drinking my coffee.
Saved by the barista… June stands to grab her order when she calls her name. Hopefully, when she returns, she will switch subjects.
“Okay, now tell me what’s goin’ on,” she sits back down, and I have no such luck with her moving on from the conversation.
“Honestly, it’s nothing.” I shake my head.
June tilts her head and looks at me with pursed lips. After assessing me for an uncomfortable amount of time where I want to hide behind my coffee cup, she says, “I think I know what’s wrong.”
My eyebrows raise on their own, giving away my worry. Schooling my features, I challenge, “Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”
She leans forward on her elbows, almost completely on my side of the small table. Her eyes search mine, and she whispers, “Something’s goin’ on between you and Brett.”
“What?” I gasp way louder than intended and look around the coffee shop with wide eyes.
“You heard me.” June sits her butt back down on the chair and lifts her brows, waiting for me to give in and confess.
I blow out a rough breath, making my lips flap, and June giggles. Figuring I have nothing to lose since June won’t turn on me, I rest my clasped hands on the table and lean forward a bit to create privacy so no one can overhear.
“Nothin’ is going on, per se. There’s something there, but I can’t do anything about it. He said some things, and we’ve had some moments, but…” I shrug with a frown.
“Is this because of work?” She presses her lips together.
I nod. “I shouldn’t even entertain the idea, but I didn’t plan to like him. He’s like a lightnin’ bug in a dark summer night. I can’t look away, damn it. It’s embarrassing and dangerous because I can’t lose my job, although I technically shouldn’t be havin’ coffee with you right now either.”
June remains quiet while she studies me. “I don’t know Brett very well. I mean, I know him; of course I do. He’s going to be my brother-in-law, but he’s very reserved and doesn’t open up to a lot of people, so it’s hard to really know him. If he’s opened up to you, then he’s not messin’ around.”
I sigh in frustration. “I don’t think he is, but I need the steady income to help my parents with medical bills. If I lose this job…” I shake my head and shiver. I don’t want to think about what will happen.
“You can get another?” June asks.
“It’s tricky because you’re bound to know someone that is related to a client when you live in a small town. But a romantic relationship is crossing the line.”
“Even if they stop being your clients?”
I nod. “There are rules and timelines for that.”
“Oh…” June frowns.
“I know, so now you understand why I look the way I do. I’m all sorts of confused.” I shrug, looking down at the table.
“Like I said, Brett is very careful about who he opens up to. Maybe be honest with him?” I know she’s watching out for him, so I can’t get offended because I’d do the same.
“I have,” I nod. “Apparently, though, life keeps tossing us together. Now, the wedding.”
“Maybe that’s life’s way of telling you something.” She winks.
“You barely know me,” I say, dropping my shoulders. “How can you push this with the little bit we’ve gotten to know about each other.”
“Magnolia,” June smirks and shakes her head. “I’m very good at reading people. It’s a positive gift I learned from a negative experience. I don’t open easily to people, but I can tell you’ve got a big heart. If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t even stop to talk to you.” Her serious expression tells me she isn’t bullshitting me. Her honesty is refreshing, and I nod.
“I can’t tell you what to do because I know how necessary a job is, but I’ve learned that some things in life are irreplaceable. Love is one of them.” Her eyes mist over.
“Don’t cry because then I’ll cry, too.”
She waves me off. “Sorry, sorry. I’ve just been overly emotional with the wedding around the corner.”
“More than around the corner, it’s in less than two days.”
June chuckles. “I know. It’s so crazy. I never thought this would happen.” She shakes her head in disbelief and then looks back at me. “If you let things happen without fighting them, you’d be surprised at how amazing they’ll turn out.”
I smile, wanting to believe her, but I don’t see how I could have both things. I change topics, asking her if she thinks the dress I plan on wearing will be okay for the wedding. I sigh in relief when she gives me the okay because I don’t have anything else and don’t want to be frivolous when I won’t be wearing a dress like that any time soon after the wedding.
When she tells me Lucy will be at the wedding as well, I feel better. I’ll be in work mode in the beginning, making sure that Charlie and Chloe are okay, but it’ll be good to have a familiar face.
June and I finish, each heading home for dinner. I grab my phone and call my mom, needing to hear a familiar voice. My emotions are wired, and I know talking to her will soothe me.
“Hey, Magnolia,” my mom answers after the third ring.
“Hey, are you and Daddy having dinner?” I realize I may have interrupted them.
“We’re already done. How are you?”
“I’m good,” I sigh and cringe because I don’t sound fine to my own ears.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Uh, huh…” I hold back tears. Why am I like this?
“Talk to me. Tell me your troubles.” My mom prompts, and I break down.
“Mama…” I breathe out.
“If you’re not happy with your job, I won’t let you do something that makes you miserable. I noticed something was off when you visited us.”
“No, no, that’s not it,” I assure her. “I love my job. I mean, there are things I wish were different…” I trail off, questioning if I should tell her.
“Like what?” her soft voice asks.
I sit on my couch and bring my knees to my chest, curling into myself. I take a deep breath and tell her all about Brett and the girls. I let it out in the open, hoping to God that she’ll have words of wisdom from her years of living that will allow me to see this situation clearly.
Once I’m done telling her everything, leading to me going to the wedding on Saturday, she remains quiet. I check the phone to make sure the call didn’t drop, but we’re still connected.
“Mama?” I sniffle.
“Oh, Magnolia,” she begins. “I want you to be happy. I know how much you love your career, but there’s more to life than that. I also have an inkling that the main reason you took this job is that you want to help us pay our bills. I’m not saying you don’t love helping others, but you’re putting pressure on yourself that isn’t necessary.”
I scoff. She can say that all she wants, but I’m going to help them if I can. They know this job was an opening for that, but it’s also the opportunity I’ve been waiting for to be able to put my degree to use and do something I love.
“Do you like this boy, or is it a silly crush?”
I laugh. “Mama, he’s a man.”
“To you. For me, he’s probably more like a boy.” I roll my eyes.
“I do. I wish I could get to know him better, but…I don’t wanna lose my job.” I unfold my legs and stretch them out in front of me when they tingle from being in the same position.
My mom sighs heavily. “I can’t tell you what to do. I can tell you something your Granny always told me. Life’s too short to miss out on good sex.”
“Mama!” I snort-laugh, my face heating. My mom’s laughter rings through the phone. “That sounds like Granny,” I guffaw.
“I knew that’d make you laugh. She really told me that, and I was as horrified as you. She also taught me th
at life’s short and true love isn’t something that comes around too many times. Grasp it. Are you goin’ to live your life questioning what would’ve been had you taken a risk? Clients will come and go. Jobs will come and go. But someone who makes us smile is hard to come by.”
I know she’s right, but if I were to lose this job, I’d have to move back home. I’d miss a chance with Brett then, too.
“I think you should have some dinner, rest, and see how you see things tomorrow with a clear head,” Mama suggests.
“That’s a good idea. And what about the wedding?”
“What about it? Go, be there for those girls, and enjoy yourself. These are people you’ve become friends with as well, from what you’ve told me. Bask in that. You’re allowed to have a social life. If it’s all work and no play, that’s no way to live. What’s the point of working if you can’t have balance with other activities and people?”
“I know, Mama.”
“Everything will work out, Magnolia.”
“How do you know?” I whisper.
“Because you deserve to be happy.” My lower lip trembles. In this moment, I wish we were in person so I could hug her.
“I’ve always been happy, you know?” I don’t want her to think I’ve settled in order to help her and my dad.
“I know you have, but happiness is limitless, and there’s so much more of it that you can have. Trust me.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
“You’re welcome. Love you, sweetie. You’ll see how everything will turn out okay.”
I nod though she can’t see me. “Love you, too. Tell Daddy I say hi.”
“I will. Call me if you need anything else.”
After saying goodbye and wiping under my eyes, I make a sandwich for dinner and settle back on the couch with a book. I want to trust the way Mama does. If I can channel some of her confidence and positivity, I could figure this out with a clear mind.
Anyone would think that Fridays pass in the blink of an eye. Instead, today is dragging. It’s a snooze fest, and I’ve been preoccupied thinking about my conversation with my mom last night and June’s accurate assessment about my feelings for Brett. Nerves about tomorrow’s wedding have been making me nauseous all day. I shouldn’t be nervous, but my body’s missed the memo. I’m simply a guest going to make sure Charlie and Chloe are okay and feeling confident about being at the winery.
Brett was going to take them to walk through the vineyards yesterday afternoon, and I’m anxious to know how it went. Considering I haven’t received a hectic email about a disaster, I’m going to assume it went well, which is great. Charlie and Chloe are on the path to building their independence from me and therapy, which is the end goal. I want them to live their lives using what I’ve taught them. Which begs the question—what happens when they no longer need me as a therapist?
I look around my office and organize my notes for my first client today. The teen boy has been struggling with his parents’ divorce, and we’re working on anger management and resentment.
A knock on my door drags my eyes toward the wooden barrier. “Come in,” I say, covering the notes in order to keep confidentiality.
“Hi, Magnolia,” Mrs. Holloway, my boss, says when she opens the door. “I need to talk to you.” My heart stops working altogether at her expression, and I swallow thickly and nod.
Chapter 23
Brett
I check the time on my watch for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes. “Where is she?” I whisper to myself, looking around the vineyard and the building in case Magnolia walks in through there.
“Daddy, where’s Ms. Magnolia?” Charlie asks. That’s the million-dollar question. She should’ve been here fifteen minutes ago.
“She’ll be here soon,” I say with conviction because Magnolia won’t miss this. She won’t let my girls down.
Although their visit to the vineyard was successful this week, the girls are still feeling a little anxious. They’ve been so strong and confident, though, and I’m the proudest dad because of it.
“How are my favorite girls?” Miles walks toward us in his tux and a huge grin.
“Uncle Miles!” They walk into his embrace.
“I wanna take some pics with you two. What do you say?”
Charlie and Chloe nod eagerly, and the photographer behind him guides them to take pictures. My daughters smile and laugh when Miles tells them a joke. They seem to relax a bit more, and I’m glad they’re here for this. I know that they’d regret missing out on Miles’s wedding when they looked back on it. Of course, the circumstances are out of our control.
Miles calls me over after a few photos with my girls, and he and I pose together, then Madison joins us halfway through for siblings’ pictures.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” A frazzled Magnolia rushes toward us, squatting to look at the girls. “How are you?” Her voice is frantic and high-pitched, so unlike her.
“We’re good.” Charlie tells her about the pictures.
I stand beside them, but Magnolia doesn’t look up to acknowledge me. Pulling my eyebrows together, I stare at her, waiting for something more than her talking to my girls.
“How do you feel? It’s beautiful, right?” she asks Chloe.
“It is. Uncle Miles looks pretty.”
Magnolia giggles at her response, looking at Miles a few feet away. “He does look handsome. You two look beautiful.”
My jaw ticks, jealousy filling me, which is ridiculous.
“Hi,” I finally say.
“Hey.” She tilts her head upward from her squatted position in front of the girls, but I only see half of it and a tense smile—no eye contact.
I assume she’s nervous and maybe a little awkward about being here, but both Miles and June insisted she come. When we saw her on Wednesday for Charlie and Chloe’s session, she seemed okay with coming to the wedding. I don’t know what happened between then and now.
“I like your dress,” Chloe whispers. Magnolia smiles at her, genuine and joyful, as she runs her hands down her bent thighs.
“Thank you.”
She’s wearing a black, strapless dress. The fabric flows around her, and the dark color makes her blue eyes pop. Her hair falls around her in loose curls. She’s gorgeous. Currently, a frazzled gorgeous, but gorgeous nonetheless.
She finally stands and acknowledges me without eye contact. “I’ll stay here with them until it’s their turn to walk down the aisle so you can stand beside your brother.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, fine.” She waves her hand in the air.
“Magnolia…” I begin with a warning tone, only to be interrupted.
“Hey! You look beautiful.” Madison walks up to us, hugging Magnolia. “How are they?” she lowers her voice when she pulls away, lifting her chin toward the girls behind us.
“They seem okay. I just got here. Again, sorry I was late.” She turns her head to me, but her eyes remain focused on my chest.
“It’s okay,” I say gruffly.
“Well, we’re ready to start. Brett, you’ll go stand up front with Miles. I’ll be here with the girls and Magnolia.”
I huff when Madison shoos me away. Bending, I give Charlie and Chloe a hug and whisper how proud I am of them. I stand and look at Magnolia with a firm nod. I trust she knows what she’s doing and will guide my daughters like she has until now.
The ceremony was nice, watching June and Miles commit to each other. The girls smiled with clasped hands as they walked down the aisle while Charlie held a basket with the rings in it. Events like this are always bittersweet after losing Ella. But since meeting the woman currently standing with my daughters while I say hello to family members, I’ve felt different.
Magnolia brushing me off today feels like a ton of bricks in the pit of my stomach, but something is wrong. I can tell. Her eyes are missing their usual shine. Her body is tense as she tries to keep herself hidden behind her crossed arms.
I make my way
toward them when I’m stopped by Peggy and Corey, Ella’s parents.
“Hi, sweetheart. What a beautiful wedding,” Peggy says, hugging me and kissing my cheek.
“Hi, I’m glad you made it.” I shake Corey’s hand.
“Of course, you’ll always be family.” Peggy looks around. “Where are my girls?” I point toward them and lead the way.
“Granny! Papa!” Charlie screams and races to them. Chloe does a quick take and rushes as well.
Magnolia looks up, and for the first time today, our eyes meet. She quickly glances away. I leave the girls with Ella’s parents and walk toward her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. I thought it was initial nerves when she arrived, but it’s clear that something is tearing her up.
“Nothing,” she shakes her head. I raise an eyebrow, and she drops her arms with an eye roll.
“You’re off today. I can tell something is wrong,” I press.
“Brett, I’m okay. Drop it.” She whisper-hisses, and I’m thrown by the roughness of her voice. She looks away and toward the girls.
“Those are Ella’s parents,” I answer the silent question.
She nods. “I figured when they yelled Granny and Papa. It’s good that they have them in their lives,” she says quietly.
“It is,” I agree. I’m grateful they still have their mother’s family as part of theirs. It’s important to me, and I made sure to tell Peggy and Corey just that after Ella’s funeral.
“I know you’re lyin’ to me,” I whisper, but Charlie is dragging her grandmother over to us, chatting about Magnolia.
“Granny, this is Ms. Magnolia. She gives us therapy.” Charlie beams at Magnolia.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Magnolia reaches out her hand. Peggy shakes it with a smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you. The girls told me so much when they stayed with me a few weeks ago.” Peggy’s eyes cut to mine briefly, but I can’t read the expression in them.
Small Town King: A Single Dad Romance (Carlisle Cellars Book 3) Page 16
